You Wish You Knew These Trader Joe's Secrets Sooner

Trader Joe's negotiates directly with growers and manufacturers to cut out added costs. It buys and sells them to shoppers under Trader Joe's private labels.

Private label items are free from artificial flavors, preservatives, and trans-fats. Yet prices are typically lower than the same item sells for at a conventional grocery store.

Although the store doesn't run coupons for its private line products, employees will honor the manufacturer's coupons for name brand products at checkout.

However, the downside to this is that Trader Joe's stocks very few products that aren't under its own labels, so you may not have many opportunities to use manufacturer's coupons.

Trader Joe's has a liberal return policy. It accepts any return, even if the package is opened and the item is half-eaten, and will provide a refund if you have the receipt.

Even without a receipt, you can return items for store credit or a replacement. You don't even need to bring the item with you; just explain your situation at the manager's desk.

To avoid big crowds at Trader Joe's, head to the store in the morning during the week. Store managers have reported that Mondays through Wednesdays are your best bet.

Fresh produce is restocked daily in the morning. If you're looking for new items or cult favorites, you'll also want to head there when they have just been restocked.

If you find a new product that interests you as you peruse the aisles, don't wait to think about it and pick it up the next time. Grab those new items when you see them.

When the trucks arrive, Trader Joe's employees stock the items on the shelves immediately. This results in a limited availability for popular or new items.