Not only have they monopolized grocery stores within Asheville, I discovered something else today that pissed me off even more. So, today I went grocery shopping with a friend at Ingles in Henderson county, and for one thing they charge less there for milk, by 70 cents. It is $3.19 at the one on Merrimon but $2.49 at one of the stores in Henderson county. I know this does not sound like a lot to some people, but milk was not the only thing I saw discrepancies in price on. Most any essentials, including bread, eggs, yogurt, juices, frozen foods, and probably more things cost less at the store down there. I know this because I intentionally made comparisons with the Merrimon Ave store today as well. Are they just trying to price people out of town? Who the hell do they think they are for buying up all the other stores and then price gouging? What is the reason?
Isn’t there something illegal about monopolizing/price gouging? I don’t care if they brought grocery stores to small towns in WNC or whatever else “good” they did. They are obviously a shady company.
When I first moved into Asheville city limits I used Ingles for a lot of my grocery shopping. Shortly after I only bought milk at Ingles, until now. From this point forward I will buy NOTHING at their stores ever again.
yeah. i’ve noticed that, too. they charge as much as they can. it’s how the system works. milk is way cheaper in spartanburg than black mountain, go figure.
You and andy palast should start a club, or something.
I’m not allowed in Hendersonville because I’m a corrupting influence, recommending movies like Bad Education.
But no matter. The question in my mind is where exactly does one shop if one doesn’t shop at Ingles without paying even more money? Fresh Market, Greenlife and Earthfare aren’t the answer to that. In my experience neither is Bi-Lo. And I’ve heard that the inconveniently located (for me) Harris-Teeter is also more expensive. Those discount stores that sell used food are not a viable answer to my mind. And except for the fact that they’re the only place that sells Polly-o mozarella cheese, I’m not fond of the Mart of Wal. This leaves what? Driving all the way to the far side of Fairview to the area’s last remaining Food Lion? (Assuming it’s still there.)
There’s always ALDI, if you don’t mind non-name brands and bringing your own bags, and my sister swears you can save a lot at Harris-Teeter by taking advantage of their triple coupon promotions (if you don’t mind chasing down coupons every week). The Mills River Food Lion is actually closer to me than either the Laurel Park, Fletcher or even Etowah Ingle’s locations, but I’ve found the Ingles usually has better prices than the former Food Town chain does, especially on milk.
So you think Ingles should charge exactly the same for milk or other items in every store? That might be nice, but that’s not the way the market works. Ingles, just like most other businesses in America, bases prices mainly on competition. That’s also why the store on Tunnel Road pretty consistently charges 10 to 15 cents less for gas than the one, say, in Weaverville. The thing is, assuming that store in Henderson County has exactly the same operating expenses as the one on Merrimon Avenue - which I’m sure it doesn’t - if it charges less for milk, it probably charges more for some other item in order to make a profit overall. Consistent pricing for everything in all stores would not only not be practical, it would be foolish for a business that’s there to make a profit, to continue to stay in business, as well as to maintain a place of employment for some 18,000 people in this region of the country. Even Walmart, which surely knows how to satisfy the consumer and make money at the same time, does not consistently price items the same in all stores.
