Conference turris::cooks

    I'm not certain how the prices compare to BJ's or Sam's as I don't
    belong to either (yet) but they didn't seem all that much different
    to Stop and Shop's prices. The layout is also similar to Stop and
    Shop in the "superstore" theme. I thought Edwards was a warehouse
    type of store, more in line with BJ's or Sams, but that's not the
    case. I've only wandered through Sam's once and some mental price
    comparisons definitely make Sam's a big winner, especially when you
    consider that you CAN pretty much do your grocery shopping there,
    if you don't mind buying in larger_than_usual quantities.
    
    I was kinda hoping they would stock a favorite frozen Bird's Eye
    veggie, Fordhook Lima Beans but alas there were none. Am I the
    only person who LIKES these any more?  8^)
    
    I like the store but will probably continue going to Stop and Shop
    and Julio's Star (the one in Westboro) for our general shopping.
    The competition should be healthy (for consumers).
    
    Keith
    
    

	To answer my own question:

	My husband and I decided to go to Edwards on Saturday since we
	had to go to Home Quarters anyhow.  I found the prices to be
	similar to what Stop and Shop has with the exception of their
	MANY sale items.   We got Coke products for $.77 for 2 liter 
	bottles, frozen Tropicana OJ for $.99 (usually $1.29 at Stop and
	Shop).  I got canned chick peas and kidney beans 4 for $1
	usually 2 for $1 elsewhere.  We mostly bought items that were
	on sale and whatever we needed for our normal weekly shopping.
	I don't think I would go more than once a month and I actually
	think BJ's and Sams would be more worthwhile except for the
	bulk issue.

	The meat department at Edwards has me worried.  I found a
	steak that was on sale and decided to get a couple of them.
	I was holding one that said 3 pounds and another that said
	2 pounds and they were both the same size!  I reported this
	to the meat manager and he repriced the 3 pound one for me
	and sure enough, it was 2 pounds.  I found a couple more 
	like this while I was looking.  The explanation was that
	somebody was pricing them too fast.  The message here: be
	sure to compare packages of meat to make sure you are not
	the victim of a mistake.

	Karen

    I also checked out Edward's on Friday evening with husband (don't do
    this if you want a happy marriage, I learned too late)  But I must have
    bumped into the guy looking for lima beans as I LOVE the frozen baby
    ones but alas, they only had the Finast brands.
    
    I found the store to be about the same prices as Big D.  I shop the
    Shrewsbury BigD WareHouse and the first Saturday that Edwards was open
    the Big D had the same specials and they were even cheaper and best of
    all the store was literally empty since everyone went to Edwards that
    day.  I made out, an empty store with the same things on special! 
    
    I found the isles narrow at the Edwards store too.  Everything bottle
    necked up at the entrance door and vegetable/fruit area.  
    
    Finast label is the old First National Store label.  Anyone remember
    them?  Are they being resurrected as Edwards?
    
    Ferne
    

    
    RE:. 3
    
    >> Finast label is the old First National Store label.  Anyone remember
    >> them?  Are they being resurrected as Edwards?
    
    I was in Ohio for 10 years.  The Pick & Pay grocery store chain
    there,  had Edwards as the "store brand".  Then we got the Finast 
    Superstores -- that was about 6-7 years ago.  So, I guess they've
    always been around.
    
    ...Shubha

    My feedback (went in for a very QUICK visit):
    
    I don't like having to have a quarter to get a shopping cart-- even if
    they do give it back.
    
    The aisles are crowded; the atmosphere is warehousey but their prices
    are average.  The sale priced items are good, but other markets do
    well, too.
    
    I used to shop the Big D at Fairlawn in Shrewsbury, but started
    shopping at Super Big Y when that opened.  I prefer that market over
    all of them so far.
    
    Rgds,
    marcia

    One other item:  I had a long wait in the line at the courtesy booth to
    fill out an application for a courtesy card to write checks.  Then they
    were out of temporary cards which customers are supposed to be able to
    use until the regular ones come in (4-6 weeks).  So, when I come in the
    future, I am to stand in line again, have them look up my application
    (tell them they were out of temporaries at the time I completed the
    application) and approve my check.  NOT!
    
    They also don't advise you by mail that your card has arrived; you need
    to check each time.  Am I spoiled?  I'm used to service.  In fact,
    Super Big Y just sent me a card - no application required at all!