Comments on: Overspending When Buying in Bulk

By: JP A

JP A — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 01:35:44 +0000

Thanks for the post David. Interesting comments as well. A lot of good perspectives have been shared.

One additional lens to consider is the psychology behind bulk shopping. Really its the psychology behind large packaging and big containers. It’s used everywhere. The Big Gulp at 7-11, the Super Size meals at McDonalds, the Tripple Whopper at Burger King are examples we have all seen. There must be something to learn here.

So to Dave’s point, do we actually consume more if we buy large amounts? What does psychology tell us?

It looks like the answer is yes. Larger packages means more consumption.

Take a look at this summary of some of the most significant psychological studies about external factors affecting human behavior: study:http://tinyurl.com/66obh78. Its a monster. Don’t be intimidated. Here’s the highlights:

- When given a larger bucket of popcorn at a movie theater people ate 34% more than the people with a medium sized bucket. (The kicker? They made the popcorn in the larger bucket stale and old. The double kicker? They asked the people eating from the larger bucket to have dinner just before they came to the theater)

- Having candy on your desk vs. 6 ft away can add 10 extra lbs of weight over a year (easy access means more consumption)

So it seems more access and larger supply does increase consumption. There are exceptions of course (I admire those disciplined frugal bulk purchasers out there) but most people will consumer more if they can get their hands on an attractive supply of delicious food.

Mine is corn flakes.

Cereal fan till I die.

By: Witty Artist

Witty Artist — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:26:25 +0000

I don’t buy too many things in bulk. And what I do, is usually something that is used constantly and not at once, like toilet paper or paper towels. Sometimes it happens to dig in when I buy yogurts or other goodies in bulk. But I try to keep the balance.

By: The Prudent Scholar

The Prudent Scholar — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:25:06 +0000

Buying in bulk and keeping things around “just in case” can also cost you money if real estate is expensive in your area. There’s a hidden cost to storing all that stuff. It means you need a bigger pantry, a bigger garage, a bigger whatever. We live in a small house in an area where square footage is at a premium. We also live close to a grocery and I can get most things on the way home from work. While we keep some basics, we have a “just-in-time” inventory strategy that cuts down on storage and minimizes discards from expiration/spoilage. It does take some planning, though.

By: Bankruptcy Saskatoon

Bankruptcy Saskatoon — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:10:30 +0000

Interesting article. I definitely agree that people overspend when buying in bulk because they often stack up on things they don’t really need. A good point was mentioned in the comments above about buying non-perishable goods in bulk rather than food/drinks. That is a great way to save in the long-run.

By: Debt Consolidation Toronto

Debt Consolidation Toronto — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:50:32 +0000

This is a very valid point. As much as people would like to think that buying in bulk saves them money, they actually end up spending more than they really need to. Bulk deals also cause people to buy items that aren’t necessarily on their shopping list, and they choose to buy them anyways as result of unmatchable prices.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:54:43 +0000

We buy fruit/vegetables, paper plates, and cases of Poland Spring water at BJ’s. Everything else we find cheaper at Shop Rite supermarkets when it’s on sale.

By: Funny about Money

Funny about Money — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:12:12 +0000

Well said. LOL…especially about the ice cream…

Like Marcia, I try to build in some restraints when I visit Costco. What works best for me is to bring a shopping list and (the hard part.) STICK TO IT. Especially I try not to buy anything perishable in bulk, or anything I haven’t tried before. If I don’t really know that I like a brand and will use it up, I wait until I can try a smaller package before buying a lifetime supply.

That said, there are some things that are a real joy to have in giant supplies, and that probably save money: Costco’s awesome Garofalo spaghetti, for example, is as good quality as the best you can buy retail, anywhere. Toilet paper. Paper towels. Shampoo & conditioner. And if you can restrain yourself in the consumption department, you can’t beat Costco’s price on Corona beer by the case.

By: Marcia

Marcia — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:39:59 +0000

Most of the time I go to Costco I can pay cash and get out of there without a cart. The key is knowing what’s a good deal and what isn’t. I still need a cart for those once-a-month diaper purchases.

By: Dominique

Dominique — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:38:41 +0000

I do buy non-perishables in bulk especially if there is an offer – ie diapers for the baby as it does work out cheaper in the long run.
I won’t stock up on food or buy things in bulk even though it is cheaper as it does work out spending more when food spoils or if you do not actually need to use the product.

By: marci

marci — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:46:23 +0000

I find that buying non-perishables in bulk does save me money, even in my single person household. And no, I don’t feel that it causes me to eat more or use them faster, as only a small portion of that is visible at any one time, plus I tend to hoard them as I know I won’t be buying more until they go on sale again, or until I go back to Costco, which for me is a 4 hr round trip.

Take a 25 lb bag of flour which was $7.99 at Costco, or $7.5o for the equivalent poundage on sale at Freddies.
Or 25 lbs of salt, rice, wild rice, beans, sugar, cornmeal, etc. All those things will be stored away in airtight containers, and only a small cannister will be visibly available at any one time. And who’s going to overdose on staples? Not.

Spices I also buy in bulk – but I don’t think I use more of them as I’m just pretty stingy with spices (due to price) to start with.

Ice cream? One a month and only Tillamook and I don’t really care what the price is – it’s got to be Tillamook Ice Cream Takes self discipline to stick to the once a month ice cream, well, self-discipline and stepping on the bathroom scales every morning

I buy cases of veggies, mushrooms, fruits, etc. Just because they are there doesn’t mean I need to eat them right away. I actually enjoy the feeling of just knowing there is a year’s worth of food tucked away in the cabinets. My problem is probably more of getting them used up I do write the month/year on the tops and rotate.

I guess maybe I just have a frugal hoarders mentality – maybe that’s why I am not tempted to use them up fast. Plus, I don’t want to use them up, as I’d just have to buy more.