3 Little-Known Perks of Shopping at Trader Joe's

I move house more often than the average person, and unfortunately, it's been rare that I've lived in a town with a Trader Joe's location. Currently, my closest store is 50 miles away, which is certainly closer than I've been in the past. That distance means I visit Trader Joe's only occasionally to restock my pantry and freezer (pro tip: bring a cooler and ice packs if you're a similar distance from your nearest store).

Why do I bother driving to a grocery store 50 miles away, when I have another grocery store right in my neighborhood, less than a mile from my home? Because Trader Joe's has awesome products and it's worth the trip. I'm not alone here; last year, Trader Joe's was ranked the second most popular grocery store in the country in a YouGov poll. If that's not reason enough for you, here are a few less-discussed perks that make Trader Joe's a great place to shop.

1. No loyalty card, no problem (but some coupons allowed)

One of the best things about Trader Joe's is that so many of its products can be had for a steal, which can definitely give your checking account a break. But unlike many grocery stores, you don't need a loyalty card of any kind to shop at Trader Joe's. This means no giving up your information or having to dig through your wallet at checkout. Everyone gets the same deals. And 80% of what TJ's sells are its own house-brand items. However, you may not know that TJ's does sell some brand-name items, and if you have manufacturer's coupons for those, you can use them.

2. Super friendly staff (and with good reason)

I don't know about you, but I enjoy shopping experiences where the staff members seem to enjoy their jobs. If you've never been in a TJ's store before, you might be surprised at how friendly the staff is. The satirical humor site Reductress even lampooned it with a piece entitled, "Is He Flirting with You or Does He Just Work at Trader Joe's?" Staff members have good reason to be happy at work, as the company has often won a spot on lists of the "best places to work" in the past and currently has an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars on employer review site Glassdoor.

I think the work environment, alongside pay and benefits, has an impact here. For example, did you know that Trader Joe's stores don't have an annoying PA system that breaks into the music and ruins your shopping groove? Instead, staff rely on a system of bells (you may have seen them at the checkouts), in which different numbers of rings mean different things. For example, one ring of the bell means another checkout lane should be opened.

3. You can try just about anything (and if you love it, stock up)

If you've ever wished for more opportunities to get some free samples in your life, this one's for you. At Trader Joe's, you can ask to try just about anything. The keyword here is "ask," and also "don't push your luck." You might be able to sample that box of cookies you're considering, but it's best to limit yourself. And I wouldn't count on a staff member opening a bottle of wine for you.

Speaking of products, if you find something you love, buy as much as you can, because sometimes "here today" can end up being "gone tomorrow." Trader Joe's regularly rotates products, kissing some goodbye forever and bringing others back seasonally.

Trader Joe's is a great place to expand your grocery horizons and give your credit card a breather. If you've never been before, plan a visit and enjoy these perks.