Elrod’s Cost Plus Supermarket

WOW! I thought I was buying cheap food. THEN I got to the check out lane and discovered there is an additional percentage added to the final price!
Not only do they not make this widely known when you enter, but the actual amount of the additional cost is not stated. Apparently, if you only buy one or two items (like I was trying to do) the percentage is higher than if you buy a lot (based on the total price of items you are paying). When I actually priced out one box of a hamburger helper type meal (not name brand), the box came to about $ 3 — almost double the price of a NAME BRAND item in a regular store.
If you are buying a LOT, then the 1 star may not apply to you. If you buy in bulk, then this is similar to a warehouse store where you pay a fee to get the lower prices. However, in a warehouse store, you are told up front what the yearly fee is and then the prices you se on the shelves are the prices you pay at the register. Here, you see very low price on the shelves, but will later pay a fee to be able to shop in the store. A yearly fee like a warehouse store would make a LOT more sense.

^wat he said. This place makes u think ur getting groceries for really cheap. Til u check out and Blam! Upcharged. Nice way to lure customers in. Hence the name «cost plus»

This was my go-​to grocery store during my college days. Why? Because it was convenient, but they also have amazing prices. Even with the whole cost-​plus system, you usually end up paying prices comparable to Wal-​Mart (or better).
Yeah, it’s kind of run-​down a bit and (to put it lightly) frequented by a mostly-​Latino crowd, but I think it’s a solid place for groceries. They also have a cool rewards system where you can eventually redeem points for items, as well as daily specials where you get a free item (toilet paper, soap, etc.) if you spend like $ 20.
My only warning: don’t buy the meat! (Though I never had the courage to try any.)

Elrods… seriously?
Being from out of town I was unfamiliar with their deceptive ways the first time and was way bummed when i saw their lame system. If you’re unfamiliar it’s this:
Explanation: the store prices all the items then when you check out they add a percentage to the cost (hence the name of the store). The percentage changes depending on the amount you buy total. the more you pay, the smaller the percentage they tack on at the end.
Besides that, the store is old and run down, and I won’t be suprised if they go bust in the near future– the place is deserted and I think everyone goes across the street now.
My biggest gripe is that their system of pricing is so awkward that anytime I wan to just buy a bundle of green onions (which they don’t carry!) I’d feel penalized for buying one item. If you’re buying $ 100+ a visit, you might get a good deal, otherwise don’t bother.