Trader Joe’s does order its products from manufacturers of famous brands we love. They are very secretive about who the suppliers are though. Eater did uncover some of the names behind some of the snacks. Check out these nine products ranging from a Honey Mango Shaving Cream and a Refresh Citrus Body Wash to Pure Jojoba Oil.They all cost less than $8 by the way.

They do look like plastic, but the bags are an eco-friendly alternative. They can be thrown right into the compost bin. Bring your own regular bags though. Some branches do offer a bag raffle for customers who use their own totes. The prize is a TJ’s gift card so remember to bring one.

A manager actually said that, “No one takes advantage of this enough”. This is a service available to all customers, and not just the elderly, pregnant, or disabled. Don’t forget to tip though.

They really do what it takes to make customers smile. The stores do not have produce counters, but employees will slice up that butternut squash for you should you ask. The sample station makes a great makeshift chopping space so do watch them at work.

Trader Joe’s values customer feedback. “We always say customers vote with their dollars,” says the manager. You may also give feedback to any crew member in stores and through the website.

When a new product doesn’t sell, or an old favorite is no longer available , it will be discontinued. If a product isn’t to your liking, tell your local store and see how they react.

If you’re vegan or gluten-free, ask a crew member. They will walk you around the store to show you every item that you can eat. The website has guides for every product for people following a vegan, kosher, or gluten-free diet.

Trader Joe’s also takes allergens seriously. They adhere to all federal labeling guidelines, including a “Contains” statement on most labels. It shows if any of the top eight allergens, namely milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, and soy are present in a product’s ingredients.

Crew members give recommendations to customers. They are able tell you what a certain product tastes like, so they get to try everything. The staff receive a confidential bulletin weekly from the corporate office which informs them about what’s coming. That helps them prepare ahead of time.

Before a new product makes it to the shelves, it goes through a rigorous review process courtesy of a formal tasting panel. They determine what does and doesn’t go on display. So don’t hesitate to ask them about that bag of chips or whatever it is you’re holding.

These are the most coveted and prized products so better be fast. There was once a super-limited (we’re talking one case per store) stock of Geisha coffee which sold out instantly. Anything put up for a limited time means people will be racing for them.

Most people will agree that frozen foods have a long list of hard-to-pronounce ingredients and preservatives. But Trader Joe’s stock up theirs with private label standards. Regulars say the macaroni and cheese has to be the best frozen mac and cheese available, while the mandarin chicken is a national best-seller and a definite must-try. Get your hands cold.

The products are among the best in the industry. Anything that has their private label (close to 85 percent of the store) has to be free of high fructose corn syrup; GMO ingredients; hydrogenated oils; MSG; and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.

Trader Joe’s is also committed to offering seafood from sustainable sources. Managers eliminate products like orange roughy and red snapper because their fishing methods do not meet TJ’s standards.

You’ll also get your money back which is a relief for customers. “We’ve had customers return a bag of popcorn with one kernel in it or a bar of chocolate that clearly sat in the sun for six hours,” says the manager.

And while there may be a tiny percentage of customers who take advantage of this, most customers are just happy that it’s an option when a product doesn’t satisfy them.

“Short of grilling up a raw steak, we’ll let you try anything,” says the manager. “We’d rather have you open it in the store than take it home and be disappointed.”

If you can’t choose between the 3 Seed Sweet Potato Crackers and the 3 Seed Beet Crackers, ask for a taste test and a crew member will be more than happy to open the packages for you. Just don’t forget to share and say thank you.

That’s because, like other places, weekends are crowded. And no one really enjoys shopping when there are many others around. Plus it’s quiet too.

Visit and shop during off-peak hours. Forget about going after work and lunchtime. Get up early, and drive over as soon as it opens, or even late in the evening. If you go an hour just before closing, chances are there won’t be much of a crowd anymore.