8 Weird Facts About Trader Joe’s You’ve Never Heard

If you’ve ever perused the aisles of your local Trader Joe’s, then you know this popular store doesn’t just stock standard groceries that you’d find at your favorite grocery store. Instead, you’ll find out-of-the-box treats and goods like Everything Bagel Crackers or Kale Pesto Sauce. But this is what adds to its charm. You know you can walk in and discover something new that you’re almost guaranteed to enjoy.

It’s true that Trader Joe’s isn’t your everyday grocery store, but what’s behind the brand? In this article, we dive into 8 unusual facts about Trader Joe’s that you may have not even known — yes, even if you’re a super fan. For instance, what do all the different ringing bells mean, or how do they keep many of their items so inexpensive? Read on to find out more idiosyncrasies behind this famous brand.

Hidden Stuffed Animals

If you’ve ever seen a random stuffed animal in peculiar places around the store, you’re not alone. Not all, but many Trader Joe’s locations participate in a treasure hunt-like game for kids. If your little one locates one of these hidden toys, they get a prize.

Try Anything Policy

Unlike most stores, Trader Joe’s will let you try just about anything before you buy it, including salads, salami, cheese, and ready-to-eat items. Of course, this perk is within reason, so don’t expect a crew member to cook you up a pizza to try, but if you’ve been dying to taste those Truffle Chips, simply ask a crew member. Again, not all locations may participate in this, so it’s important to find out first.

Always Affordable Prices

You’ve probably noticed that Trader Joe’s steers away from offering coupons, discounts, or special promotions. That’s because the products are already quite affordable. But what’s the reason for this? It’s simple: they cut out the middleman and buy directly from suppliers to ensure their customers are getting a fair and reasonable price for their goods. So, don’t expect a sale anytime soon.

Ringing Bells

Picture this: You’re strolling through the aisles of your local TJ’s, and you hear a bell ring three times. You’ve heard it multiple times before, maybe with two rings or even one, but you never really knew what that meant. You can probably ask a crew member, but we’ll save you the time. The bell acts as a way to communicate with other crew members; a kind of morse code, if you will. One ring their crew knows when to open another register, two rings mean a question needs to be answered at the checkout, and three rings call over a manager. 

Discontinuing Products

Have you ever gone to Trader Joe’s to stock up on your favorite product, only to find out it’s been discontinued or not available for the foreseeable future? This is no coincidence. There are actually different factors that go into these decisions. For one, it may be a seasonal product (think Brussels Sprouts Stalks, Key Lime Tea Cookies, etc). Another reason is that the cost of producing the item may increase, which means the price can’t be justified for selling it in-store. And finally, because of the lack of space, if an item isn’t selling strongly enough, it may be discontinued to save room for more popular items.

Refund Policy

Trader Joe’s prides itself in having a very flexible return policy; meaning, you can ask for a refund for just about anything. Bought a bad piece of fruit? Return it. Didn’t like the taste of a new dip? Ask for a refund. Simply mention that you didn’t enjoy a certain product, and you’ll get a refund.

Giving Back to the Community

Many may not be aware of this, but Trader Joe’s is an extremely charitable company. This has been something that’s been incredibly important since the store’s inception. For example, the company participates in Feeding America and has donated millions of pounds of food to the organization. And that’s just scratching the surface.

Best Shopping Days

Crew members at Trader Joe’s typically restock perishables overnight and early morning each day. And if a product is running low, they will even restock during shopping hours. With that said, you can always expect to find fresh produce and other items on the shelf. But there are certain days better than others. Experienced shoppers and managers, recommend coming on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday if you don’t want to miss out on your favorite products, as weekends are typically busier and some items may be out of stock.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Cliff Hawkins for Getty/ via Getty Images.