Please give me some tips!

[roadtrippin]

We will be in SeaCrest July 21-28.
It is my understanding that most all rental properties are from Saturday to Saturday.
I am assuming that would be a really bad day for traffic and going to the Wal-Mart or Publix.
Is it true that the grocery stores are CRAZY on Saturday check-in days and that most things get sold out?
Would it make a difference if we came into town on Friday and stocked up at the grocery store on Friday and try to beat the crowds?
Any tips?

Thanks.
Roadtrippin.:cool:

[scooterbug44]

The earlier in the day you can go and the more you avoid the weekends and holidays, the better off you will be.

Some also choose to have a concierge service stock the house prior to arrival to avoid the issue.

[Rather B. Paddlin]

Use Beach Butler out Destin. They do a great job. We use them everytime we come down.

[KISH7374]

Where are you staying in Seacrest. We will be there from the 28th to the 4th.
I usually don't worry about the shopping on Saturday, I let my wife and daughter handle that. We are staying on Sandy Shores Court in a house.

[destinconcierge]

We offer grocery shopping and delivery/setup services also.
850-376-3770
info@destinconciergeservices.com
www.destinconciergeservices.com (http://www.destinconciergeservices.com)


The grocery stores are a nightmare on the weekends!:bang: :lolabove: :angry:

[Smiling JOe]

Would it make a difference if we came into town on Friday and stocked up at the grocery store on Friday and try to beat the crowds?
Any tips?

Thanks.
Roadtrippin.:cool:

Doing so would make a thousand percent difference in your anxiety level.

[jdarg]

Doing so would make a thousand percent difference in your anxiety level.

I agree. Or, bring everything with you but the perishables, hit a grocery store one town out from SoWal (depending on where you are coming from- we always hit the Winn Dix in DeFuniak), get all your cold stuff for the next few days, ride with it on your lap, check in, and forget grocery shopping until Monday or Tuesday. Sunday is just as bad as Saturday now, IMO.

[BeachSiO2]

I agree with SJ and J Darg's advice.

Friday night is local shopper's night at WaterColor Publix as not only is it crazy Saturday alot of new stuff is stocked on Friday for Saturday.

[SGB]

If you have to shop on Saturday or Sunday, it's really not bad in the morning. I was able to get in and out of Publix in Sandestin at about 1pm last Saturday, without having to fight the crowds. Late in the afternoon is the worst!

[arkiegirl]

We just returned from Destin (with 3 kids) and I bought everything I could before going--even had a cooler with some things. I had a list of things to get once we arrived and I stopped at the Winn Dixie in Destin/Sandestin to get milk, eggs, lettus, etc ( on a sunday afternoon). I have found that the WM was out of things like bottled water and other drinks, bread, sandwich stuff, and smaller size things. Like it was suggested, try to take what you know you will need for the first few days if space is tight. You will pay a bit more at Winn Dixie and Publix, but if nothing else the wait in line to check out is worth it. I am not sure what the deal is with the Destin WM, hardly any check outs opened.

I would loved to have been able to use one of the services for delivery but it was not possible $ wise for us, we were already stretching it going on vacation.

[30A Skunkape]

I agree with SJ and J Darg's advice.

Friday night is local shopper's night at WaterColor Publix as not only is it crazy Saturday alot of new stuff is stocked on Friday for Saturday.

Yes, a manager at Inlet Beach Publix told me this today:cool:

[Smiling JOe]

Yes, a manager at Inlet Beach Publix told me this today:cool:Did he also tell you that on Saturdays in the summer, much of that stock is sold out? If you go on Sunday, forget about getting any Doritos, or Lays flavored potato chips. Typically, all that is left on the chip isle are a few bags of really salty corn chips, and some of those high fat, thick chips. Breads and milk are also heavily depleated. You will have some from which to select, but it may not be your brand of choice of choice. Most everything else seems to stay in supply. Some beers will run out, but the Budweiser man works on Sunday around here, and the four top selling beers in America will usually be on the shelf.

Watch out for the narrow and crowded isles at WaterColor Publix. There are many inconsiderate cart pushers there in the summer. ;-) If you cross one, you have my permission to secret shop for them. (this is when you place a random item or two in there cart, and they buy it without knowing so, until they get home and unpack the groceries. If they do discover it at the check out counter, hope that you shopped for them, one of those embarassing items like condoms, so that they have to give it back to the clerk and tell the clerk that it isn't theirs. :funn:)

[30A Skunkape]

Did he also tell you that on Saturdays in the summer, much of that stock is sold out? If you go on Sunday, forget about getting any Doritos, or Lays flavored potato chips. Typically, all that is left on the chip isle are a few bags of really salty corn chips, and some of those high fat, thick chips. Breads and milk are also heavily depleated. You will have some from which to select, but it may not be your brand of choice of choice. Most everything else seems to stay in supply. Some beers will run out, but the Budweiser man works on Sunday around here, and the four top selling beers in America will usually be on the shelf.

Watch out for the narrow and crowded isles at WaterColor Publix. There are many inconsiderate cart pushers there in the summer. ;-) If you cross one, you have my permission to secret shop for them. (this is when you place a random item or two in there cart, and they buy it without knowing so, until they get home and unpack the groceries. If they do discover it at the check out counter, hope that you shopped for them, one of those embarassing items like condoms, so that they have to give it back to the clerk and tell the clerk that it isn't theirs. :funn:)

We discovered Carousel's...shhhhhhhhhh!:ninja:

[Dune-AHH]

Did he also tell you that on Saturdays in the summer, much of that stock is sold out? If you go on Sunday, forget about getting any Doritos, or Lays flavored potato chips. Typically, all that is left on the chip isle are a few bags of really salty corn chips, and some of those high fat, thick chips. Breads and milk are also heavily depleated. You will have some from which to select, but it may not be your brand of choice of choice. Most everything else seems to stay in supply. Some beers will run out, but the Budweiser man works on Sunday around here, and the four top selling beers in America will usually be on the shelf.

Watch out for the narrow and crowded isles at WaterColor Publix. There are many inconsiderate cart pushers there in the summer. ;-) If you cross one, you have my permission to secret shop for them. (this is when you place a random item or two in there cart, and they buy it without knowing so, until they get home and unpack the groceries. If they do discover it at the check out counter, hope that you shopped for them, one of those embarassing items like condoms, so that they have to give it back to the clerk and tell the clerk that it isn't theirs. :funn:)
:lolabove::lolabove:SJ...you'd mentioned this in another thread & I couldn't fathom what you were talking about...Glad you explained it here. I find myself inexplicably & irrationally ENAMORED with this concept. I can see this transforming my disgust of grocery shopping into a regularly scheduled, perverse form of entertainment!! SJ...you very naughty !!:funn::clap::clap:

[jkuhn]

use yourbeachbutler.com very good service that will take care of everything you need.

[seaside2]

SJ, You are BAD, BAD , BAD!!!:floor: :floor: :floor: :rofl:

Great idea getting there on Friday PM. Trouble is, where do you stay? Most, as noted are Sat to Sat.

[WLD]

Last Saturday night my 16-year-old son mentioned that he'd run out of sunblock. Since he's on the golf course every daylight hour while we're on 30-A, he said he would stop at WC Publix after dinner and get some.

After he'd been gone 45 minutes I called him. He said, "Mom, I'm still at Publix trying to check out. I had no idea grocery shopping was like this..."

I didn't tell him that he'd hit the melt-down hour--something about that new tone of respect in his voice for his dear old mom who usually does the shopping....

[Smiling JOe]

Last Saturday night my 16-year-old son mentioned that he'd run out of sunblock. Since he's on the golf course every daylight hour while we're on 30-A, he said he would stop at WC Publix after dinner and get some.

After he'd been gone 45 minutes I called him. He said, "Mom, I'm still at Publix trying to check out. I had no idea grocery shopping was like this..."

He should try shopping for gasoline, flashlights and batteries when a hurricane is announced and tracking this way.