by Pat Lunsford

Created on: December 09, 2007   Last Updated: November 10, 2009

Why do people pay the high prices at convenient stores when they can get it so much cheaper at the grocery store? Why do people purchase small quantities of items they use regularly such as toilet paper, laundry soap and canned foods, when they can purchase them in bulk and save money at big-box stores?

When stopping for gas at a station with a convenience store, I was very surprised at the number of people who didn't even bat an eye at the high prices. Once, I stood in line behind a man carrying a twelve-pack of beer, a pack of chips and a box of microwave popcorn and having done the math, I realized he would've saved over five dollars at the grocery store.

The customer in front of him was holding packs of lunch meat, winners, buns, a loaf of bread, a jar of mustard and two bags of chips. The man with her held two twelve-packs of canned sodas. I calculated their savings, had they shopped at the grocery store, at more than ten dollars. The lunch meat alone was almost double the price of the grocery store and the sodas were also way over priced.

The last time I was at the grocery store, I knew there was a big-box store down the street and I could purchase many of the items that I used all the time in bulk and in the long run, could've saved a substantial amount.

However, there are items that I didn't want to buy in large quantities such as meats, dairy and frozen foods; and since I had to shop regularly at the grocery store for those items anyway, it just seemed like such a bother. What I would've saved verses the time I would've spent on the two stops just wasn't worth it to me. Also, along with buying in bulk comes carting it from the store to the car then into the house, and finding the time and a place to store it all.

It is obvious that people are willing to pay for convenience. Those who buy at convenience stores know that if they had gone to the grocery store, they would've had to drive around to find a parking space, walk further to get into the store, walk around the store to gather their items then have to wait in longer lines to check out. So shopping at a convenience store had saved them twenty to thirty minutes.

Most of us lead busy lives and have to make the most of our time. Nearly all convenience stores now offer one stop shopping where you can gas up your car and pick up just about anything you might need at home. Anything from toilet paper, baby formula, drinks and snacks, to beer, wine and lottery tickets can be purchased at a convenience store without having to make another stop.

If you have a half dozen kids to feed, it may be wise to buy in bulk. However, for most of us, buying in bulk at big-box stores may save a few bucks in the long run, but considering the hassles involved, it really isn't worth it.

Do your own math and keep track of the things you buy at a convenient store that you would've gotten cheaper in the grocery store. Take notice of the items you could've gotten in bulk at a big-box store and the difference in price per item. In a month's time, you may be surprised at what you have been paying for convenience. The estimated cost of convenience for the average household is approximately thirty to fifty dollars per week.

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