I was in Meijer’s (regional grocery chain) the other day looking to buy some Paul Mitchell hair conditioner. While Meijer’s usually carries this product, they happened to be out of stock. I find this to be very annoying and is one of the reasons that I have a love/hate relationship with Meijer’s.

As I was leaving the store, I noticed that the hair salon in the store had a big rack of Paul Mitchell products, including my conditioner. Since the hair salon is an independent business that rents space from Meijer’s, their product inventory is also independent. They had the product, Meijer’s didn’t. So, I went into the salon.

I picked up the conditioner and in doing so, commented to the woman that it was nice that they at least had the product since the store didn’t. She said that Paul Mitchell products are only sold in salons. If I see it any place else, including the store, it is a black market product.

Fred, (Meijer) say it ain’t so! Black market hair care products! Hendrick (Meijer) is turning over in his grave. What next? Is that asparagus really from Peru or is it Fremont (Michigan) asparagus with a bogus label? And how about that peanut butter that Hendrick picked up in Saginaw because he got such a good deal? (Famous Meijer’s ad.) What’s the real story behind that? Was it smuggled in from Canada?

Well, anyway, the store and the salon sell the products for the same price so I guess I don’t really care where I buy it. But, I am concerned that the next time I am in the personal care section of the store that some one is going to come up behind me and say “Pssst. I’ve got some deodorant in the back room and I can get you a really good deal on it.”

Added note: Despite what it may appear, this blog is not dedicated to Meijer’s. It is just that Meijer’s provides a wealth of opportunity for topics.