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Original poster

Has anyone stopped shopping at Superdrug…

31 replies

howmanytimesnc · 13/06/2025 14:25

… because of their ridiculous “clubcard” wannabe pricing structure?

Don’t get me wrong I’m not boycotting - it’s not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things, but the only way I can describe it is CF-ery from the retailer.

I used to shop there for cheaper make up and toiletries over Boots and ignored the loyalty card bombardment at the checkout but this whole ‘£3 for a deodorant otherwise it’s £7.99’ is just ridiculous.

At least with a Tesco clubcard the pricing seems fair, as it’s in line with other supermarkets so it does feel like a saving, but what Superdrug is doing is massively inflating the price for non members! Crazy!

OP posts:
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Original poster
howmanytimesnc · 21/06/2025 18:16

4PawsandATail · 20/06/2025 23:45

Yes, that's right. It's just annoying that, for example, my order is £35, I have £30 worth of points but I can't use that and pay the £5. I really think they should update it to be able to use the points for part of a purchase and not just exact or under!

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I think all those ‘rewards’ are annoying in a way. I had accumulated £9 in coop then they changed the way their membership works and I lost it all! And you have to go a really long time in coop to save all of £9 🤣

Also, why does Sainsbury’s print their money off coupons? I lose them every time! Just add it to the Nectar app??

I swear they all do it for an illusion

OP posts:
EndorsingPRActice · 21/06/2025 10:11

well I did use to shop at Superdrug a lot but they closed my local store 2 years ago so I no longer have the option, I like to choose my toiletries and often go with any available offer so on-line is no so good

4PawsandATail · 20/06/2025 23:45

howmanytimesnc · 15/06/2025 10:31

It’s under and exact isn’t it? But you’re right it’s annoying you can’t pay the difference!

Show quote history

Yes, that's right. It's just annoying that, for example, my order is £35, I have £30 worth of points but I can't use that and pay the £5. I really think they should update it to be able to use the points for part of a purchase and not just exact or under!

Original poster
howmanytimesnc · 15/06/2025 10:31

4PawsandATail · 15/06/2025 09:38

The fact that you have to have the exact points for your purchase to use your them massively puts me off boots.

Most other cards you can put your points towards a purchase taking X amount off but in boots if your shop is £25 you can't use £21 worth of points. You have to have the £25. It's ridiculous.

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It’s under and exact isn’t it? But you’re right it’s annoying you can’t pay the difference!

OP posts:
4PawsandATail · 15/06/2025 09:38

howmanytimesnc · 13/06/2025 19:58

I don’t think Boots is as crazy though. Also their advantage card is wicked in the long run so I can forgive!

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The fact that you have to have the exact points for your purchase to use your them massively puts me off boots.

Most other cards you can put your points towards a purchase taking X amount off but in boots if your shop is £25 you can't use £21 worth of points. You have to have the £25. It's ridiculous.

napody · 13/06/2025 20:39

nomas · 13/06/2025 19:16

I think people are missing OP’s point that Superdrug are inflating the prices to unrealistic amounts.

This isn’t good for people who can’t manage loyalty cards and apps 😢. My mum would
not be able to have this and she would have to pay the higher prices. Luckily I take her shopping but what about others?

I had a superdrug card before they started all this and it is one of the few I use, BUT i totally agree with the point re inflating pricing. Sainsbury's started this, coop are doing it now too (and probably others i dont shop in). I think the government are looking into it- will try and find link.

nomas · 13/06/2025 20:32

EternalFogInMyNotSoSpoltlessMind · 13/06/2025 20:22

I worked at Superdrug as a student, they were pretty aggressive with their sales targets for their staff. The lady was probably just desperate to meet her target.

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Yes, I know, as I said, I know retail is struggling.

But it’s uncomfortable for the customer and did put me off returning.

LindorDoubleChoc · 13/06/2025 20:28

fairislecable · 13/06/2025 20:25

I no longer shop at Superdrug as I had misread the price on an item and it was a huge mark up without being a cardholder. It was pointed out to me at the till so I left the item and bought it from Boots at the lower price.

I bought a bottle of shampoo in Morrisons last weekend for £3. I went to Boots for something else on the same day and saw the exact same bottle of shampoo for £6.

LindorDoubleChoc · 13/06/2025 20:26

I signed up for their loyalty card about 5 years ago so always shop there for medicines and toiletries (if not at Sainsburys) I don't have expensive tastes Grin.

Afaik they don't target me with advertising on any platform I use, which is quite refreshing.

fairislecable · 13/06/2025 20:25

I no longer shop at Superdrug as I had misread the price on an item and it was a huge mark up without being a cardholder. It was pointed out to me at the till so I left the item and bought it from Boots at the lower price.

EternalFogInMyNotSoSpoltlessMind · 13/06/2025 20:22

nomas · 13/06/2025 19:31

Yes and I’m also wary of their aggressive upselling.

Once an assistant let me pay at the perfume counter because the main queue was so long, I thought that was so kind until she started giving me the hard sell and badgering me to buy pricy perfumes.

I know retail is struggling but that did our me off.

Show quote history

I worked at Superdrug as a student, they were pretty aggressive with their sales targets for their staff. The lady was probably just desperate to meet her target.

DeSoleil · 13/06/2025 20:19

Superdrug have a horrible customer service.

I’be had loads of stuff for free because the young staff don’t know how to sign off a collection despite my telling them to check they have and I then get a notification saying it hasn’t been collected and they issue a refund.

I don’t bother to phone them now to offer to repay as on the occasions I have they have denied this could ever happen and have been extremely snotty with me.

Disgusting people to deal with.

ungratefulcat · 13/06/2025 20:03

Yanbu.

I think it's a really unpleasant business practice

soontobeconfirmed · 13/06/2025 20:01

I am always amazed people still shop in Super drug. The one near us is always empty

Original poster
howmanytimesnc · 13/06/2025 19:59

Poobs2022 · 13/06/2025 19:39

Sainsburys do this tho and have it at a nectar price so you think you're getting a good deal when in fact you're paying the price is SHOULD be.

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Yes Sainsbury’s is also quite bad for the inflated pricing but then again if I go to Sainsbury’s I expect to pay more than in any other supermarket tbh so it doesn’t hurt as much 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
howmanytimesnc · 13/06/2025 19:58

Travellingpants · 13/06/2025 19:43

Boots do it too though.

I don’t think Boots is as crazy though. Also their advantage card is wicked in the long run so I can forgive!

OP posts:
Original poster
howmanytimesnc · 13/06/2025 19:55

nomas · 13/06/2025 19:31

Yes and I’m also wary of their aggressive upselling.

Once an assistant let me pay at the perfume counter because the main queue was so long, I thought that was so kind until she started giving me the hard sell and badgering me to buy pricy perfumes.

I know retail is struggling but that did our me off.

Show quote history

That’s awful! Although the SIM card phase they went through was also crazy! Like why would anyone want a Superdrug sim card.

OP posts:
Travellingpants · 13/06/2025 19:43

Boots do it too though.

Poobs2022 · 13/06/2025 19:39

howmanytimesnc · 13/06/2025 19:27

Yeah that’s more my point! It’s the pricing structure itself not the card.

ive had several cards from them and always lost them etc and it just became a faff trying to log in all the time to retrieve it. Unless it’s in my Apple wallet I won’t have it (it may have changed to be compatible since but I wouldn’t know)

For me it’s more of the crazy price that’s then reduced to the normal non discounted price! £3 is what it would normally cost in boots for instance but they say it’s their value price!

Show quote history

Sainsburys do this tho and have it at a nectar price so you think you're getting a good deal when in fact you're paying the price is SHOULD be.

Etheral · 13/06/2025 19:34

I don't use Superdrug or Boots, they don't sell anything that the supermarkets or Amazon don't sell and its always hard to find stuff in both these stores

nomas · 13/06/2025 19:31

howmanytimesnc · 13/06/2025 19:27

Yeah that’s more my point! It’s the pricing structure itself not the card.

ive had several cards from them and always lost them etc and it just became a faff trying to log in all the time to retrieve it. Unless it’s in my Apple wallet I won’t have it (it may have changed to be compatible since but I wouldn’t know)

For me it’s more of the crazy price that’s then reduced to the normal non discounted price! £3 is what it would normally cost in boots for instance but they say it’s their value price!

Show quote history

Yes and I’m also wary of their aggressive upselling.

Once an assistant let me pay at the perfume counter because the main queue was so long, I thought that was so kind until she started giving me the hard sell and badgering me to buy pricy perfumes.

I know retail is struggling but that did our me off.

Original poster
howmanytimesnc · 13/06/2025 19:27

nomas · 13/06/2025 19:16

I think people are missing OP’s point that Superdrug are inflating the prices to unrealistic amounts.

This isn’t good for people who can’t manage loyalty cards and apps 😢. My mum would
not be able to have this and she would have to pay the higher prices. Luckily I take her shopping but what about others?

Yeah that’s more my point! It’s the pricing structure itself not the card.

ive had several cards from them and always lost them etc and it just became a faff trying to log in all the time to retrieve it. Unless it’s in my Apple wallet I won’t have it (it may have changed to be compatible since but I wouldn’t know)

For me it’s more of the crazy price that’s then reduced to the normal non discounted price! £3 is what it would normally cost in boots for instance but they say it’s their value price!

OP posts:
nomas · 13/06/2025 19:16

I think people are missing OP’s point that Superdrug are inflating the prices to unrealistic amounts.

This isn’t good for people who can’t manage loyalty cards and apps 😢. My mum would
not be able to have this and she would have to pay the higher prices. Luckily I take her shopping but what about others?

ANiceBigCupOfTea · 13/06/2025 19:11

I liked superdrug when I was younger but I find them poor value for money. Boots has better pricing and a better loyalty scheme in my opinion. The only thing is their lunches have got boring in NI with just sandwiches and wraps all by the same company.

DiscoBob · 13/06/2025 19:04

They've stopped selling a few items online that were essential so that's annoying. Now have to buy branded that costs more. Anyone know a good cheaper alternative online?