The disappointment continued. While browsing, I saw deals on various Pampers products. But I wanted to compare the discount being offered on a small box of diapers with the per-diaper price on a regularly-priced larger box (before I realized the app only had pricing details on discounted items). So I went to my main shopping list and searched for "Pampers," tapped the poorly-named "Add to Today" button, went back to my shopping list, found the entry, and finally taped the "Price Comparison by Stores" button.

And then I got the by now too-familiar message: "No matching specials found for current item." Even when I searched for the exact product name ("Pampers Big Pack"), I then had to choose from multiple similar options ("Pampers Big Back," "Pampers Big Pack Diapers," "Pampers® Big Pack® Diapers," and so on). And when I chose one at random to compare prices, the products listed to compare with toothpaste and an Alli starter pack.

I want to love Grocery Pal, but frankly, the app frequently seems like a cruel practical joke stretching on too long. Clearly it needs dramatic improvements to search, and the app would go from laughable to laudable if it could get more data, and the ability to check or compare prices even for items not currently on sale.

All that said, if you're a coupon clipper and circular junkie, the app's browsable version of your neighborhood stores' weekly discounts alone is a pretty clutch feature.

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