Goodings...Rude re-awakening!

[Lew]

We just returned from a wonderful 17-night stay at OKW.

Last Saturday evening I just had to have some pepperoni. We didn't feel like going all the way to Publix and I was aware of a construction area on the way back from the Winn-Dixie near Crossroads that I did'nt want to get caught in...again. So we decided to bite the bullet and go to Goodings.

We have not shopped at Goodings for at least five years because of the prices. I really paid for the convenience that night. An eight-ounce package of Hormel sliced pepperoni was $4.99...I paid $3.19 for the same item at Publix the day after we arrived. The Goodings price was 56% more than at Publix. I bought a stick and sliced it myself.

Also, I noticed the 24oz Pepsi six-pack bottles which are 2/$5.00 at Publix...and have been for a couple of years...were $4.19 per six-pack at Goodings! That's 68% more than at Publix.

I don't mind paying for convenience, but I don't enjoy being blatantly ripped off...

 

[sap1227]

As a Publix Stockholder I love to hear people having good things to say about the Stores!
Sorry you had such a bad experience at Goodings, I felt the same way when we shopped there in January (it was late and we did not feel like driving to Publix either)

 

[slp87]

I found the chart at the bottom of this page to be very interesting.

http://www.wdwig.com/grocery.htm

 

[Kim&Chris]

I know what you mean. We finally got fed up with Goodings prices and drove a little further to a Publix. We found a better selection and the prices were rediculously less.

They have alot of nerve charging tourists so much.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

I'm glad it's not just me who gets really annoyed by Goodings' practices. You can get cheaper prices at some of the local gas stations! I refuse to shop there except as a last resort. They did not used to be like that.
OK, rant mode off - thanks for letting me get that off my chest!
Mike

 

[dtheboys]

Gooding's is LEGAL robbery!!!!
I refuse to set foot in that store no matter what I need....I feel cheated, and laughed at by management...
I once spoke w/ the cash register girl, and she said...she doesn't even shop where she works.....

 

[colleen costello]

And at least at the rip-off prices, the stuff should be good... Last year I bought frozen waffles for the kids to have in the morning. They were gross -- not edible. Seemed like they had been in the freezer for years. Goodings did refund my money. But because I was now waffle-suspicious, I bought another package at the Ft. Wilderness Trading Post -- and the same package of waffles was cheaper there! THAT made me realize what a true ripoff Gooding's is! I will take my chances with the road construction and go to Winn Dixie.

 

[Lesley]

We shopped at Winn Dixie in December...and I'm definitely headed to Publix next year! Even the Winn Dixie has noticed their ability to get exorbitant prices for some things....for example, you couldn't buy a 12 pack of soda there for less than $6. We paid it, only because it was still less expensive than the vending machine at BWV!

I was not impressed with the Winn Dixie...found the selection quite poor for the size of the store and had trouble getting some of the basic things we needed. Honestly, I think I'd go back to Goodings before I'll return to Winn Dixie.

But I may just head up to the Albertsons that's near Chamberlin's since I often need things from there too.

 

[colleen costello]

If the Winn Dixie is getting stinky, we'll head to Public's. Now do I have this right -- when I pass Downtown Disney and I come to the "crossroad" where the Goodings (and the whole Crossings Plaza) would be straight ahead, (and I would make a LEFT to head toward Winn Dixie) I make a RIGHT here to head toward Public's? Is that right? And it is only a few miles down?

 

[Maria395712]

could someone post the exact directions to publx from the downtown disney area
thanks

 

[DebbieB]

There is a new Publix behind the Premium Outlets. From Downtown Disney, the road now bears right and goes past the Hotels (Hilton, Doubletree, etc), At the light across from Crossroads, turn right (535) and get in the left lane. At the next light, turn left (Vineland Road), follow it for a mile or so, you will pass the shrine church and the outlets and then Publix is on the left. You could also continue down 535 and there is another Publix on the left.

 

[colleen costello]

DebbieB, which would you recommend? I know traffic is sometimes terrible close to WDW.

 

[ToyStory Fan]

I thought they were pricey too, but the thing that really got me was the person who carries your groceries out to the car. I felt compelled to give her a tip as well. (she was old enough to have been my grandmother too, which made me feel even worse) What's up with that????

 

[Lesley]

I thought maybe it was a southern thing? LOL They tried to escort us out at the Winn Dixie too and we politely refused. They looked at us like we were nuts though.....

Yeah, I felt compelled to tip the guy at Goodings...and since it was late at night and I was by myself it was somewhat nice to have an escort in the parking lot...though the thought crossed my mind that this guy could be some kind of creep too.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Depending on how busy they are and how many "baggers" are working, it is Publix Store Policy to carry your groceries to your car and load up your trunk.

Tipping is NOT required and is in fact NOT ALLOWED. Sometimes, I would try to tip anyways because the person did such an outstanding job and I felt they deserved it or I thought the person could use it. My tip is usually refused 75% of the time because it is against store policy. Guess what? The ones that refuse are usually the ones that work the hardest.

When shopping at Publix elsewhere in the state, like Miami, there is usually a bagger to carry out the groceries 90% of the time. I find that in Orlando, there are baggers only 50% of time and I wind up carrying out my own groceries. I am totally fine with that.

But this inconsistency in Orlando, may make out of towners not familiar with Publix's policy, think that the baggers are trying to get a tip by pushing the shopping cart out to the car since no one did this for them last time they shopped there.

 

[WDWCRAZY32]

Look at it like this, if you went to Goods to go, 6 cokes would have cost you $12.00. You got a deal at 4.99 and didn't even know it. LOL

 

[Gillian]

A couple of years ago, a Goodings employee (quietly) told us about the Walmart super center(s). We don't have those near us, just regular Walmart without food. Talk about cheap! We cooked a lot on that trip, so it was worth the drive.

 

[spiceycat]

I though there were sign up - that say it was their (whatever supermarket) to take your grocery to the car and no tipping is required - but you can say NO I can do myself - I generally don't have a problem saying that.

I like the Super Walmart too

Both the Publix are nice - I just like the one at the end of 535 where it meets US 192 - I really like the one coming from US 27 to US 192 (okay there are bunch here - I think it is the 3rd one) - it is past Orange Lake but before the Sheraton and Chinatown in Kissimmee. the people there are out standing. but this store has very limited hours - I think they close at 9PM.

the super Walmart like Gooding is open 24 hours.

 

[luckytso]

I have never been to a super walmart. How do you get there from Boardwalk Villa? Do they also carry milk and fruits?

 

[spiceycat]

from the BW turn right - at the stop light turn red (this is Buena Vista Drive) - past the CRB get in the far right lane (looks like the Interstate exit) - this is Epcot World Drive which becomes 536 (stay in the middle lane - the right lane goes on I4) - stay on it past the Marriott World Center (big hotel) - at the light turn right on 535 - stay on this until it ends at US 192 - turn left - about 2 miles down US 192 is the Super Walmart (just past the Medieval times castle) on your right.

here is disney's property map
http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/propertymap.JPG

for a better map of offsite places get the vacation package from

www.floridakiss.com

this is free.

yes the Super Walmart in Kissimmee has everything that a grocery store does. They use to not carry a whole lot of selection. Ex: you could get pork bacon but not turkey bacon - but that changed the last time I visited. I could get everything on my list.