Ah, how I wish I could be part of UW's media squad and write fun features like this.
Grads Joe Nelson '06 (Math) and Andrew Kramp '04 (Economics) are ramping up plans for their Web site, FlyerSide.com. The aim of the site is to compare grocery prices by aggregating local stores' sale listings. I have a lot of hope for the implications this site holds for students living on a tight budget on and off campus.
From the article:
"Of course we want to make this a nationwide service; we've had interest from nearly all 50 states," Joe says. "We also have some exciting features in the works, like incorporating recipes and forums."
Although some listings are simply unreasonable for students dependent on the bus line to get to their destination, (Really, ALDI? And what the hell is Pierce's?) not to mention self-respect, (the day I shop for groceries at Menards will be a sad day indeed) the germ of the idea rocks.
But where's Cap Centre? TJ's? I'd even like to see convenience stores like the OP show up for when I'm deciding where to buy staples like milk and brownie mix. (Aside: I doubt Whole Foods will be showing up much on the site.)
It may be more difficult to aggregate sale listings from places like this, where sales change on a day-to-day basis, but the more campus-specific stores listed, the more student interest there will be. Even Luckyites may discover what a dent groceries can make on their budgets (?), and the Campus Mall Walgreens can only take them so far.
Monday, January 26, 2009
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Hey there Emma, Andrew from FlyerSide here. First of all, ALDI is a pretty cheap place to shop. Even if it's inconvenient for students, other Madisonians will find the information useful. Pierce's is a North/East side store. I have some friends who live over there and they asked us to put them up there. In fact, there are a ton of little grocery stores in the city that most people have never heard of. We're working to get as many as we can up there, even convenience stores if they want. We have a really easy system for these businesses with little or no web presence to put there sales up on our site so, if you feel so inclined, next time you're at one of these places let the store manager know you want to see them on FlyerSide.
ReplyDeleteHey Andrew! Thanks for commenting.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the economy of shopping at ALDI, but I'm biased as a student with limited car access. I think that's a great idea about posting prices from smaller shops (Fraboni's on Regent and Midway Foods on Park are two that come to mind).
I'm excited to see where you guys take the site, and will definitely name-drop it the next time I venture for groceries.
Sorry for not noticing this comment earlier!