Looking for something that will do price alert for NZ supermarket goods

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#295678 13-Apr-2022 17:40

I've started to check the supermarkets online, for some larger ticket items (e.g. meat) or items I can buy in bulk if the price drops enough.

Has anyone seen a website, app (or code base) that can keep tabs on items and alert if it drops (like Pricespy)

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#2902090 13-Apr-2022 18:57

Not directly related but a friend told me Amazon was cheaper than Countdown for some items, even including shipping.

I haven't found that to be true, but they definitely a wild selection of items, and they do have some strange bulk options.

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#2902095 13-Apr-2022 19:09

I'm not aware of any price comparison sites for supermarkets.

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#2902130 13-Apr-2022 20:16

Supermarkets pricing vary with location too.

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sudo

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#2902133 13-Apr-2022 20:17

kingdragonfly: Not directly related but a friend told me Amazon was cheaper than Countdown for some items, even including shipping.

I haven't found that to be true, but they definitely a wild selection of items, and they do have some strange bulk options.

Costco should change things once they open up. You have little choice but to bulk buy.

But for now, I have the trifecta of Countdown/PaknSave/New World near where I live.

And periodically you find something at a good discount (last week Whole eye fillet was $25kg ... I got several and cut them up/vacuumed packed/in the freezer)

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#2902138 13-Apr-2022 20:30

Think you'll find theres too many variables with supermarkets depending as mentioned above, location, ownership decisions, suppliers etc.

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#2902154 13-Apr-2022 21:21

I'll also be keen on something like a price comparison for groceries.

I've noted that PnS "randomly" changes their prices on a weekly basis. I've got two branches close by, each with their own "random" weekly pricing changes. It appears to be random, but I'm sure it is purposefully programmed for max profit as it doesn't allow the consumer to get a good understanding of the pricing of groceries.

Countdown seems different in this regard from my experience, following a more consistent, but typically slightly higher price in general.

Using 2 phones, each pointing to a particular branch, I plan my big shopping trips. Surely there's an easier way?

If something like this ever sees the light, it will most likely change the behaviour of the supermarkets in NZ

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Kraven

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#2902844 16-Apr-2022 07:37

Someone has made a comparison site: https://grocer.nz/

Looks to be very slick, allows you to select your local stores, make lists, scan products and more.

Edit: Source (Reddit)

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#2902940 16-Apr-2022 14:06

Kraven:

Someone has made a comparison site: https://grocer.nz/

Looks to be very slick, allows you to select your local stores, make lists, scan products and more.

Edit: Source (Reddit)

Hah, I just learnt about this and came back to find this thread to post it :-)

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#2902942 16-Apr-2022 14:18

Kraven:

Someone has made a comparison site: https://grocer.nz/

Looks to be very slick, allows you to select your local stores, make lists, scan products and more.

Edit: Source (Reddit)

Thanks for posting this - will make it far easier than checking each store's website.

After reading this thread I then saw it's covered in a new story on Stuff:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/300567409/new-website-helps-kiwi-shoppers-compare-prices-across-major-supermarkets

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#2903129 16-Apr-2022 23:04

Found that site tonight too however both New World stores here in Oamaru are missing. :(
Countdown is on the list.

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#2903132 16-Apr-2022 23:13

CYaBro: Found that site tonight too however both New World stores here in Oamaru are missing. :(
Countdown is on the list.

I assume those stores that don't provide online shopping won't be listed - eg, I noticed Paraparaumu isn't listed and also doesn't have online shopping. Looks like Oamaru New Worlds are in the same boat?

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#2903243 17-Apr-2022 18:07

The good thing about this new sit is you can compare 10 super markets, so can get a good idea on what the normal price should be. Some of the margins some stores are making are pretty massive considering supermarkets sell on quantity.

In the UK you can get some supermarkets to price match others, which I guess is where homebrands come in to prevent that occurring. NZ doesn't have competition for that. I remember back when we didn't have a duopoly, when we had coupons books you could then scan in and get discounts, and some supermarkets allowed people to use other stores coupons. Back when we still had some competition.

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#2903275 17-Apr-2022 21:09

Pak ‘n’ Save different branch’s can have different prices for same thing.

So if two stores nearby probably best to price check both using Grocer.

Countdown stores seem to all be same price in same city.

Edit: Every product looked at same price at Pack & Sav’s near me. Saw one coffee product around $15 at Countdown, $9.xx at Pak & Sav, wow what a difference. Did have a product not available at one P&S branch and available at other.

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#2903283 17-Apr-2022 21:34

People can potentially make some huge savings. I doubt supermarkets will be too happy. The Commerce Commission imo should have had such a website setup for consumers that supermarkets were required to feed their prices into due to the lack of competition. At least as a temporary measure until competition increased

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#2903289 17-Apr-2022 22:23

jonathan18:
I assume those stores that don't provide online shopping won't be listed - eg, I noticed Paraparaumu isn't listed and also doesn't have online shopping. Looks like Oamaru New Worlds are in the same boat?

It is there -

New World Kapiti
Pak'n'Save Kapiti
Countdown Paraparaumu

Then you've got the 2 Waikanae supermarkets too. Oddly on a random selection of goods I've actually found New World Waikanae to be cheaper than Pak'n'Save Kapiti. Shows how screwed the supermarket industry is! It'll be great if there were some real-time comparisons.

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