13 Mildly Annoying Things About Shopping At Trader Joe's

The parking lots

Trader Joe's is famous for its unique decor, intriguing products, and notoriously inadequate parking lots. The company has even begun to poke fun at this in its marketing campaigns. There have been claims that Trader Joe's intentionally restricts the size of its parking lots (or seeks out smaller lots) as a cost-saving measure for the grocery chain.

While the parking situations at Trader Joe's locations are often frustrating, the explanation is not as nefarious as some might think, according to the hosts of the "Inside Trader Joe's" podcast. Municipalities typically allocate commercial parking based on the size of the business, which means that Trader Joe's, with its smaller stores, receives fewer parking spaces compared to larger supermarkets. In some unfortunate cases, certain locations may not have any parking available at all. Ultimately, this is more about zoning regulations and local ordinances than any underhanded corporate strategy.

However, parking challenges are becoming less of a concern at many new Trader Joe's locations. The chain isn't looking to expand store sizes to accommodate more parking, but it has opened several new stores in strip malls and shopping centers that feature large central parking areas. For the time being, these more spacious lots are a welcome change, with the size of the parking lot at a new store in Palm Harbor, Florida even making headlines (via 10 Tampa Bay).

No signs or labels for the aisles

The absence of aisle labels can be frustrating for first-time Trader Joe's shoppers. The store chain opts not to use signs indicating which products are located in each aisle, which means new customers—whether they are visiting Trader Joe's for the first time or are unfamiliar with that specific location—must wander through various rows in search of their desired items. From a business perspective, this strategy effectively encourages customers to explore the entire store and discover all it has to offer. However, for those who are not interested in browsing and simply want to find what they need, this can lead to unnecessary time spent walking through every aisle.

For regular Trader Joe's patrons who know a specific store well, this may not pose a problem. The company typically keeps store sizes between 8,000 and 15,000 square feet, with only a few exceptions—like the 30,000-square-foot Essex Crossing store in New York or the smaller 5,200-square-foot Back Bay store in Boston. Memorizing the layout of a store doesn't take long. Nevertheless, even smaller locations have several aisles dedicated to shelf-stable items and snacks, and the placement of certain products can differ from one store to another. For someone visiting for the first time, the lack of clear guidance can be quite exasperating. Fortunately, customers can always ask an employee for assistance in locating a specific item.

Rushing to the store only to find trendy items are already sold out

Do you follow any of the numerous Trader Joe's fan accounts on social media? Many people do—so many, in fact, that when the company launches a new product that receives rave reviews, it can sell out so quickly that limits are placed on how many each customer can purchase. This has occurred with a variety of items, including the chain's Ube Mochi Pancake Mix, frozen kimbap, Brazil nut body care line, mini totes, and even insulated bags.

Often, the issue arises because these products turn out to be unexpected hits, with both Trader Joe's and its partner manufacturers misjudging their popularity. For instance, when the frozen kimbap was initially introduced, the company sold 300% more than anticipated, as reported by a crew member to South Korea's MBC Newsdesk. In that same August 2023 report, another crew member mentioned that the store wouldn't receive more kimbap until October of that year. The manufacturer, Allgot, had to significantly ramp up production, and for several months, each store limited kimbap purchases to prevent hoarding. It can be frustrating to hear about a new product only to find it perpetually sold out, but at least Trader Joe's does its best to ensure the product is accessible to as many customers as possible.

The sudden and random discontinuation of products

One thing that seasoned Trader Joe's shoppers know is that seasonal items can vanish in no time. These products may be available for anywhere from a week or two to several months, depending on supply, and online discussions are filled with inquiries about the availability of various limited-edition items. It can be disheartening to realize you've missed out on more horchata ice cream, Thanksgiving treats, or anything ube-flavored, and many have expressed online that the frequent changes disrupt their budgets and shopping plans.

However, the real concern — which some might find more than just a minor annoyance — is the abrupt discontinuation of beloved, long-standing staples. Items like turkey bolognese, aloo chaat kati pouches, Belgian chocolate pudding, Joe's O's canned pasta, and many others have been removed from shelves after years of delighting customers. The reasons are often practical, such as the manufacturer going out of business and Trader Joe's being unable to find a suitable alternative. Yet, that doesn’t make the reality any easier to swallow, especially if the item that’s gone was a kitchen essential for you. Your options are limited to either searching for a similar product elsewhere, attempting to recreate the item at home, or finding a new product to fill the void on your shopping list. In the latter scenario, all you can do is hope that the new item doesn’t disappear as well.

Loud, crowded stores

One consequence of Trader Joe's being both smaller and significantly more popular than other grocery stores is that the locations tend to become crowded and noisy very quickly. Shoppers have expressed frustration that there’s hardly ever a good time to escape the Trader Joe's rush, even when attempting to shop early in the morning or just before closing time. (While some days are said to be better for shopping, keep in mind that this can vary by location.) Some complaints revolve around navigating around crew members who are busy restocking shelves, but at least this type of congestion is understandable, as the staff are simply fulfilling their duties.

However, most complaints center on the behavior of other customers. Issues such as pushiness, rudeness, lack of awareness, and general cluelessness are frequently mentioned by shoppers regarding their fellow patrons. The size of many of these stores exacerbates the situation—if you find yourself in one of the smaller locations, the crowds can feel even more intense due to the narrower aisles. This is less of an issue in newer stores that have been designed with more spacious layouts, and some customers have even praised the wider aisles in certain locations online.

Cinnamon broom season

Every late summer and early fall brings a mix of delight and olfactory dread for many of Trader Joe's customers and staff, as this is when the cinnamon brooms make their return. The company offers both full-length brooms and shorter whisks that emit — or rather, overwhelm — a strong cinnamon scent as part of their autumn product lineup. Shoppers enjoy hanging these brooms in their homes to enjoy the fragrance daily, but there’s a catch.

Some have voiced concerns that the scent from the brooms can be overpowering in an indoor setting, and the brooms — infused with cinnamon oil and pine — are indeed potent. When several boxes of these brooms are displayed together in one store, it can create a cinnamon-scented ordeal for anyone sensitive to strong odors, affecting both customers and staff. To mitigate this, some stores have opted to showcase the milder whisks inside while placing the stronger brooms outside, allowing the scent to disperse and become less intense. The silver lining is that the fragrance doesn’t linger at full strength for too long.

Inconsistent produce quality

One somewhat frustrating aspect of shopping at Trader Joe's is the need to be particularly cautious when purchasing perishable items, especially fruits and vegetables. The store's plastic-wrapped produce, like its bagged greens, often has a notably shorter shelf life compared to similar items from other retailers. This can be attributed in part to the packaging itself — the plastic can trap gases that accelerate ripening and create condensation when the bags are stored in the refrigerator. Both factors contribute to premature spoilage and wilting. Even produce that has ventilation holes in the bag can spoil quickly if excessive condensation accumulates.

If you notice that your bagged produce from Trader Joe's wilts much faster than that from other stores, your specific location might be a factor. Customers have observed that produce from one Trader Joe's location can last longer than from another. This variation may depend on when the store staff removes items that are approaching their best-if-used-by date and the duration between packing and delivery.

Different locations, different hours

You might have noticed this next point if there are several Trader Joe's stores in your vicinity: Each location can have slightly varying hours. Some may open at 8 or 9 a.m., with many closing at 9 p.m. and a few staying open until 10 p.m. Additionally, many locations have recently adjusted their hours. For instance, the store near the University of Southern California, which previously closed at 10 p.m., began closing at 9 p.m. in March 2024, as reported by Daily Trojan. Several other stores also shifted their opening times from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. in 2024.

While this may seem like a minor inconvenience, it means you can't assume that one location will have the same hours as another. However, these varying hours are in place for valid reasons. Often, they relate to delivery truck schedules; areas with earlier deliveries tend to have earlier opening times. Local noise regulations also play a part, as some prohibit delivery trucks from entering certain neighborhoods before a designated time each morning. Additionally, crime rates can influence hours, as noted by a Reddit user who mentioned that stores in their area had to close earlier due to a rise in thefts.

Not everyone likes the checkout-line conversations

The cashiers and staff at Trader Joe's are renowned for their knack for striking up conversations with nearly anyone. However, not all customers appreciate the small talk. Some have expressed on Reddit that while they enjoy chatting, they would rather discuss the products than share their plans for the day. Conversely, there are those who prefer the opposite.

The friendliness of the cashiers can sometimes lead new shoppers to perceive a hint of flirtation. However, that's not the case. The company intentionally hires individuals who are eager to engage in conversation rather than waiting for others to initiate. The CEO acknowledged on the "Inside Trader Joe's" podcast that this level of engagement can catch some customers off guard, especially if they don't expect the cashier to show such interest in either the groceries or their day.

Buying frozen dinners only to find the inner seal is broken

Trader Joe's offers a variety of frozen meals that come in shallow trays covered with a plastic seal. These trays are then placed in the boxes you find in the freezer section. A peculiar issue, not exclusive to Trader Joe's but frequently encountered with their meals, is that while the outer box may be intact and properly sealed, the plastic covering the tray can be partially open, as if it wasn't adhered correctly. This creates uncertainty about the safety of the food; although there appears to be no visible damage, the improper seal raises concerns about dust and other contaminants potentially settling on the meal. Some customers have also voiced their frustrations on Reddit regarding excessive glue on the seals and cracked trays.

If you experience this issue, you have a couple of options. First, you can reach out to your local Trader Joe's to see if you can return the meal for a refund or exchange, as their return policy is among the best available. Alternatively, you can visit Trader Joe's website and report the issue using the product feedback form, ensuring you select "quality concern" as the type of feedback.

Not knowing if you're supposed to help bag your groceries

At Trader Joe's, crew members frequently move between registers to assist cashiers with bagging items, yet there always seems to be that one cashier who suggests you take on the bagging yourself. Some customers believe it's their responsibility to pack their own groceries, while others observe crew members effortlessly grabbing paper bags and starting to pack without any prompt. So, who is actually expected to bag the groceries at Trader Joe's?

There is some history to customers bagging their own groceries. Back in March 2020, at the onset of the pandemic, Trader Joe's temporarily mandated that customers using reusable bags handle their own bagging. Even today, cashiers appreciate when customers take the initiative to bag their own items, particularly if they bring their own bags (as some customers may have bags that are less than clean, which cashiers prefer to avoid). Nevertheless, most cashiers typically take care of the bagging themselves.

Is there a clear-cut answer? Generally, the prevailing view is that customers are not obligated to bag their own groceries at Trader Joe's. While you might come across the occasional cashier on social media who claims they will judge you for not bagging, or random individuals who urge others to speed up their packing, the majority of feedback—including from other Trader Joe's cashiers online—indicates that bagging is not a requirement. Basic bagging guidelines are even covered during crew member training. Just remember to keep your reusable bags clean!

No delivery and no curbside pickup, no matter how many people ask

Not every Trader Joe's shopper is able or willing to visit the store for their groceries. Factors such as crowds, long lines, or health concerns can make the in-store shopping experience challenging, if not impossible, for some potential Trader Joe's enthusiasts. Unfortunately, customers must purchase Trader Joe's products in person, as there is no option for online shopping or delivery services. The company clarifies on its FAQ page that it does not partner with delivery services or third-party vendors. Their rationale is that they design their stores and select their staff to foster a unique shopping experience that cannot be replicated online. Trader Joe's is committed to being a community-oriented store where customers and employees can engage with one another.

Trader Joe's is not the only retailer that opposes delivery services or online ordering. On Reddit, customers have shared logistical challenges that would complicate such initiatives at Trader Joe's. For instance, some have noted that the narrow aisles in many stores would exacerbate crowding if shoppers from delivery services like Instacart were allowed. Additionally, the limited inventory at individual Trader Joe's locations would make it difficult to fulfill a significant number of orders. Despite these challenges, some customers feel that Trader Joe's is lagging behind in modern retail practices.

The fragile handles on paper bags

At Trader Joe's, employees usually use double bags for your items, particularly if your purchases are on the heavier side. However, even with double-bagging, one of the most common frustrations at Trader Joe's can occur: a paper bag handle breaking. Unfortunately, this isn't an uncommon issue—there are many complaints on Reddit about the handles, even as users praise the durability of the bags themselves. This handle problem is why cashiers often opt for double bags, so if you feel inclined to tell them that a single bag is sufficient, it's best to let them use two instead—they're not just trying to waste paper.

This annoyance might soon be addressed. In early December 2024, a Trader Joe's customer shared a post on Reddit about a new type of paper bag spotted at a store in Massachusetts. The new bag design is similar to the current ones but features handles attached on the inside rather than the outside, and the paper is slightly thicker. According to the Reddit user, these new bags reportedly don’t require doubling. However, it remains unclear how long it will take for the company to implement these new bags in other locations. Just a heads up—one commenter mentioned that the handles on their new bags also failed.