Show HN: Daily price tracking for Trader Joe's

I’ve always held on to my grocery receipts for the last 8 years. I took pictures of them but when I moved a box got water damaged so now I only have like the last 3ish years.

Is there any open source software that I can use to transfer these receipts into a useful csv?

I have an idea for a few interesting data visualizations as I’d often buy the same things every week. Grocery bill went from like $70 to $150 with not much changes from what I can tell.

Would be cool to put it out in the public.

Re: Show HN: Daily price tracking for Trader Joe's

#6

Post by spondylosaurus » Thu, Feb 08, 2024, 5:25 PM UTC

Pleasantly surprised to see about as many price reductions as price increases. Also funny that they marked up the price of roses ahead of Valentine's Day!

Re: Show HN: Daily price tracking for Trader Joe's

#7

Post by rnadomvirlabe » Thu, Feb 08, 2024, 5:26 PM UTC

Is this for one store or all stores? It's commendable that you posted your code, but a minimal README would be appreciated.

Looking through your code, I see that the default store is Chicago South Loop (701). This would be helpful information to include on the website displaying the results.

Re: Show HN: Daily price tracking for Trader Joe's

#8

Post by orev » Thu, Feb 08, 2024, 5:27 PM UTC

spondylosaurus wrote: post #6

Pleasantly surprised to see about as many price reductions as price increases. Also funny that they marked up the price of roses ahead of Valentine's Day!

> they marked up the price of roses ahead of Valentine's Day!

Simple supply/demand.

Re: Show HN: Daily price tracking for Trader Joe's

#9

Post by brianwawok » Thu, Feb 08, 2024, 5:27 PM UTC

spondylosaurus wrote: post #6

Pleasantly surprised to see about as many price reductions as price increases. Also funny that they marked up the price of roses ahead of Valentine's Day!

Why is it funny prices rose as demand increases? That’s Econ 101 expected behavior

Re: Show HN: Daily price tracking for Trader Joe's

#10

Post by cmoog » Thu, Feb 08, 2024, 5:27 PM UTC

rnadomvirlabe wrote: post #7

Is this for one store or all stores? It's commendable that you posted your code, but a minimal README would be appreciated. Looking through your code, I see that the default store is Chicago South Loop (701). This would be helpful information to include on the website displaying the results.

Yes, you make a good point. Although I suspect there may be regional differences in price, I haven't yet run the diff on that. Should be simple enough for me to allow the user to select their regional store location.