Few ? about grocery shopping from non-US citizine

[goofieslonglostsis]

Wow, so many responses!

If you don't mind me asking, where are you from?

I spent 6 months living in Ireland and my Grandma and some wonderful friends would ship me over the Crystal Light packets - it made those 6 months much more bearable!!

I'm from the Netherlands. Can totally imagine being sent some 'home known stuff' can help alot when being away from home for a longer time.

Call the store, speak with a manager, let them know the quantity your interested and ask them for their best price.

You can do that with groceries? Wow, I never stop learning on this board. We can put in an order but asking for best prices? They would simply laugh.

I'm not sure if you can order from Amazon.com, but they sell it as well. So you can use that for a price comparison.

I amazon, but for CC they aren't the best for us. Many of the suppliers on amazon selling cc don't ship to our neck of the woods or charge crazy prices for that. Thankfully we've got Ebay.

I am not sure because I dont drink the crystal light, but wouldn't they sell it in larger quantities at BJ's, Costco or Sams Club?

just googled it. Crystal light is 30 packets for 7.77 at Costco
30 packets are 13 at Sams Club

As said; I'm a total noob when it comes to US 'systems'. I'll google the names you mentioned, but if there are any things other than going into a store, buying and done; would love to hear it from first hand experiences.

One thing to note - don't just pay attention to the price. I've noticed the quantity varies by store too. For example, the to go boxes at Target have 10 packets in them - the ones at my WalMart have 12 packets.

Good to know! I already learned there are packs out there with 10 and 14 count (and 7 for some flavours) and cans coming in different sizes, but them varying per store is new to me.

By the way....I've been called a Crystal Light Addict too On any given day, I have no less than 6 boxes in my desk @ work. All different flavors. (I dont like the store brand either)

Now that sure sounds like you'ld be a collegue I'ld love to work with.

I second Publix. We use them at home, and they will special order for customers. Publix.com will help you locate the nearest store and give you contact info. Depending on the length of your stay, you might want to make contact prior to arrival. Publix is known for their customer service. As for Walmart, I drive by two to get to Target (and SuperTarget is even better!).

Have a great trip!

Great info, thanks! We'll be down for 3 whole weeks (I know, I'm spoiled ), so that does give us enough time to make arrangements if need be.

Crystal Light is made by Kraft foods.

Go to www.kraftfoodscompany.com and take a look around their site, you will see that they have several "headquarter locations"

Contact one of them and ask if there is a way to get their product to you in whatever country you live in.

You never know, they may be very willing to set you up! And the prices will be cheaper too!

And yet another great piece of help! I will contact them, as you said; you never know. I doubt they'll be anywhere around (we are like a decade behind or something ), but who knows?

iheartpublix.com gives out the weekly ad one week ahead. The sale runs thursday thru wenesday, and the ad from the store is released in wenesday's paper. There's several publix locations close to disney, my favorite one is on the corner of 192 and international drive south (near gaylord palms).

I drive past two walmarts, a super target, regular target, and four publixs from home to disney, and publix has always been my choice.

Taking notes on this one, thanks!

I would start looking for couponers to clip CL coupons for you so you can save even more. And thats a lot cheaper to mail than packets.

Ah yes, the infamous coupons. I'm starting to learn what the deal is with that. Yep, another thing that's not common in our neck of the woods. I know I need to watch their 'use before date', but there are a couple of things that still aren't totally clear to me. Can certain coupons be used to 'double up' on one buy or not? Also are coupons store specific, product specific or does it vary per coupon?

Personally I like the Walmart brand better than Crystal Light. If you do end up at Walmart you may want to try a package of the generic.

Knowing us, we'll definately try them. For stocking up this time we'll stick with cc probably. Have tried some flavours of the Walmart brand, but it really varies which we like and which we find blegh. With cc we've tried all flavours by now and know exactly which we love and don't.


Again; everybodies help is so appreciated! As I've proven without a shadow of a doubt I'm not savvy at all when it comes to groceryshopping in the US. You guys are making things a lot more clear for me. Can't wait until we can do some major shopping in september.

 

[Thumperr]

Hey,
You could try and email http://www.americangoodies.nl they can most likely help you, they've helped me before.
I don't know where you live, but in Amsterdam, in the Leidsestraat there is a store that sells american and british food and it's like heaven for me. Okay it's expensive (seriously, 3 euro for a bottle of snapple fruit punch!) but they have so much.
Good luck!

 

[Fire14]

Goofie: Some stores have coupons exclusive to their stores ( walmart doesn't, publix might) And there are manufactuer coupons so in this case the coupon would be good for CRystal light and it maybe only cansisters or on the go packs. I wonder how much it would b to ship from ohio to you. I believe I paid around 1.98 for yours last year at walmart and this week one of our local stores has CL to go packs on sale for 1.00!!!!
IF You like lemonade or punch flavors you might also want to try Country time and hawaianian punch packets too.

 

[Keli]

I just wanted to drop in and tell you that although I like crystal light (and currently have two boxes in my desk at work, lol) I really, really like the Ocean Spray varieties better. They have a lot more flavor, IMHO. grape-pomegranate is my current favorite. Might want to check those out while you're here too. Might find another addiction, lol.

 

[Nette]

Amazon.com has it. Can you not order from them?

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Goofie: Some stores have coupons exclusive to their stores ( walmart doesn't, publix might) And there are manufactuer coupons so in this case the coupon would be good for CRystal light and it maybe only cansisters or on the go packs. I wonder how much it would b to ship from ohio to you. I believe I paid around 1.98 for yours last year at walmart and this week one of our local stores has CL to go packs on sale for 1.00!!!!
IF You like lemonade or punch flavors you might also want to try Country time and hawaianian punch packets too.

How've you guys been? Thanks for getting me on course about the coupons. Like Alladin would say; a whole new world. Sales for $1,-?! See, I still have enough to learn.

I checked out shipping to see if it was a good option to ship a box home instead of stuffing the suitcase, but it sure looks like it becomes expensive quickly. The weight doesn't seem to be the real problem, but the size does (of course after taking it out of the boxes etc.). It looks like it's already cheaper to pay the $50,- for an extra suitcase if need be (between the 2 of us, we can check 3 free of charge) than shipping half that amount home. Nobody ever said addictions are cheap.

Country time, writing that one down also! Punch doesn't suit us well, but lemonade... well you know all about that.

I just wanted to drop in and tell you that although I like crystal light (and currently have two boxes in my desk at work, lol) I really, really like the Ocean Spray varieties better. They have a lot more flavor, IMHO. grape-pomegranate is my current favorite. Might want to check those out while you're here too. Might find another addiction, lol.

Each time I leave the US, I bring home another addiction. We'll definately give Ocean Spray a try, thanks for the tip!

 

[moburg]

I buy generic or store brand Crystal Light all the time too. I stretch it by using 2 mix tubs in a 2.5 gallon (9.4 liter) drink dispenser (from Wal Mart). I'll go through that in a day or two. Its rather diluted, but still has a good taste, just not as strong, although thats a personal taste preference.

The most economical choice would be the large cans of drink mix with a scoop to mix as much as needed. The flavor choices for these are probably limited though. And most expensive would be the 'On The Go' packets. Typically, the smaller the serving packet, the more expensive it will be.

But the generic or store brands are just as good, but less expensive. They might not have the variety of flavors of the name brand. I tend to find the most flavor variety (both CL and generics) to be among the containers of mix tubs (that will mix 2 quarts each).

As for getting it home, you can use your second suitcase, or ship them separately. If you need and purchase the large 9.4 liter drink dispenser, you can fill it with the tubs, or packets to save on packing space. I doubt if the large cans of mix would fit in it.

 

[Fire14]

How've you guys been? Thanks for getting me on course about the coupons. Like Alladin would say; a whole new world. Sales for $1,-?! See, I still have enough to learn.

I checked out shipping to see if it was a good option to ship a box home instead of stuffing the suitcase, but it sure looks like it becomes expensive quickly. The weight doesn't seem to be the real problem, but the size does (of course after taking it out of the boxes etc.). It looks like it's already cheaper to pay the $50,- for an extra suitcase if need be (between the 2 of us, we can check 3 free of charge) than shipping half that amount home. Nobody ever said addictions are cheap.

Country time, writing that one down also! Punch doesn't suit us well, but lemonade... well you know all about that.

WE are doing great Danny understands my Dutch Chocolate addiction now Jodi is able to get some of it up by her and it gives me an excuse to vist my dad.
I yes I know all to well about your lemonade addiction I will say I personally am not much of a punch person but love Hawian punch so if you can get a few to try while state side you might try it.

 

[surfergirl602]

We drink a lot of crystal lite, and none of us like the walmart version. We find they have an odd taste and after taste to them.

I'm also with the PP's that say to call the store ahead of time to order you some. They should do it.

I'm also curious... by why are you calling crystal lite "cc"?