Page 2 | Afternoon Tea same price to eat in as to takeaway

SatsumaFan · 2021-04-09T14:24:22+00:00

Bit boring I know, but I've just got a price for a takeaway afternoon tea from a local cafe. It's the same price as if I were having it there, obvs with hot tea and service. Am I alone in thinking it would be a pound or two cheaper given I'll be collecting it then getting the kettle on at home myself? I'm looking to get lots next month for a special occasion but now I'm not sure...

Kezzie200 · 09/04/2021 16:18

There's lots of reasons why it should be cheaper in normal times but this isn't normal times. They are likely on a very minimal income and just hoping to survive to reopen.

If you want them to still be around when they are allowed back, then you are doing the right thing in supporting them now.

BackforGood · 09/04/2021 16:19

Like many, I think they just need to try and recoup what little income they can. They have lost so much money over the last 13 months, and, lets be honest still have a LONG way to go before they will be able to be running normally again. They've had to make all sorts of changes as well as covering the cost of packaging.
Pre-Covid, yes, I would expect takeaway to be cheaper than eating in, but, at this point, I'd do what I could to try and keep them going, if I could afford it.

VodselForDinner · 09/04/2021 16:19

I don’t get this attitude at all.

You have a “gorgeous little independent coffee shop with high quality freshly baked goods and lovely freshly made sandwiches” that I assume you like having in your community and want to support when the industry is on its knees, but will still whine about literally a pound or two.

Ridiculous.

Original poster

SatsumaFan · 09/04/2021 16:20

@orangegina

Why not order some slices of cake and then make your own sarnies and scones? Half the price.

I always have done this. Always. But it's a special occasion so I wanted to be spoilt and do something different. The cakes are amazing and so much nicer than normal shop bought ones.

Oh, and I can't bake

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ZenNudist · 09/04/2021 16:21

Seriously just make/buy scones, buy jam and clotted cream, some raspberries / strawberries, make a few nice open topped sarnies: hot smoked trout and watercress, nice ham and onion chutney, a chicken Caesar or tuna and cucumber. But some nice cakes as they are a PITA to make. Easy peasy.

I resent paying over the odds for food you eat at home. Even worse the things you cook yourself but cost ££££.

doadeer · 09/04/2021 16:22

I think they probably end up with less if they aren't making any money in tips

Original poster

SatsumaFan · 09/04/2021 16:23

I always have done. Always. But I have kids and it's been a hell of a year and I want a nice treat for a special occasion. Just checking it was normal to have same price to eat in as take away.

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TurquoiseDragon · 09/04/2021 16:27

Right now, we can't eat in. So don't be surprised if eat in prices rise once places can re-open.

Kezzie200 · 09/04/2021 16:27

Here it has been normal. In fact, if its delivered with a charge, it can cost more!

But these particular industries are living on extremely limited income and whatever grants they can get. Some get more than others. If you can't bake be pleased they may still be around in the future!

Totallyworthit · 09/04/2021 16:28

@LubaLuca

It's likely that the cost of the packaging to allow takeaway is roughly the same as the added cost of eating in.

Yes the prices have shot up for suppliers to make a profit out of people having to use them to stay in business.

BarbaraofSeville · 09/04/2021 16:33

With takeaway, they don't get to sell highly profitable soft drinks and alcohol, where relevant either.

We've had takeaways from restaurants that might seem expensive for a takeaway, but it doesn't cost as much as eating out, because the alcohol is supermarket not restaurant prices.

But that hits the profit of the restaurant, because they lose the mark up on drinks.

Original poster

SatsumaFan · 09/04/2021 16:34

Yes and I imagine this lady uses eco packaging and beautifully presents the boxes.

I'm looking at next month so they'll be open again, but still doing take away.

Thanks everyone for your input, much appreciated will definitely go ahead and place and order to support local, and enjoy my treat with a glass of fizz!

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Uptoongirl · 09/04/2021 16:34

I get both sides, takings are way down and restaurants are suffering but part of what you're paying for is the experience. If you're eating in you don't have the mess to clear, cups to clean etc.

I keep saying to DH we are going to order a nice restaurant meal from Deliveroo rather than pizza but then I see the prices, which I don't mind paying for in a restaurant for freshly cooked and plated food but to pay the same for something to sit, sweating in a box for 30 mins before I get it I can't do.

LivingMyBestLife2020 · 09/04/2021 16:46

How much did it cost out of curiosity?

I’m coeliac and my local, beautiful GF tearoom have made an afternoon tea box and the price (I think) is extortionate!

Original poster

SatsumaFan · 09/04/2021 16:49

£13.95 per person or £14.95 per person for savoury options. I'm ordering a GF version and it's not any more expensive from what I can tell

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SpiderinaWingMirror · 09/04/2021 16:52

Some things don't really work price wise as a takeaway offering for me ( not to say others might see it differently).
I adore an afternoon tea our and about. I can do tea scones and sardines for buttons at home.
Likewise our local pub was doing takeaway. Happy to go and have a burger and chips in the pub for a tenner. 40 quid for 4 of thr same burgers delivered doesn't translate!

Alternista · 09/04/2021 16:54

I think in normal times this would bother me, but in the interest of helping these businesses survive I’m happy to pay the extra right now. They’ve probably had to put all sorts of special measures in place to be able to serve takeaway, plus all the lost trade hours- I want pubs and cafes to survive this so I’m happy to pay a bit more.

throwa · 09/04/2021 16:56

Takeaway options used to be cheaper due to not VAT being charged, compared to food which was eaten on the premises, where you did have to charge VAT.

Obviously if you're not set up for a takeaway then there might be an additional charge for e.g. packaging etc (a cafe would have china plates but might not have styrofoam versions), and then there's delivery on the top, which might mean that your 'today's takeaway' isn't much cheaper than 'pre Covid eat in', plus of course the hospitality industry trying to recoup some of the losses they've suffered over the last year.

Regularsizedrudy · 09/04/2021 17:06

Don’t be such a tight arse

LivingMyBestLife2020 · 09/04/2021 17:41

@SatsumaFan

£13.95 per person or £14.95 per person for savoury options. I'm ordering a GF version and it's not any more expensive from what I can tell

That is significantly cheaper!

LaurieFairyCake · 09/04/2021 17:50

Could you please pm me who they are as I'm desperate for it now

Original poster

SatsumaFan · 09/04/2021 19:13

@Regularsizedrudy

Don’t be such a tight arse

I'm looking to get 10 boxes altogether, so approx £140. Don't think that's being a tight arse.

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user1497207191 · 09/04/2021 19:17

@throwa

Takeaway options used to be cheaper due to not VAT being charged, compared to food which was eaten on the premises, where you did have to charge VAT.

Obviously if you're not set up for a takeaway then there might be an additional charge for e.g. packaging etc (a cafe would have china plates but might not have styrofoam versions), and then there's delivery on the top, which might mean that your 'today's takeaway' isn't much cheaper than 'pre Covid eat in', plus of course the hospitality industry trying to recoup some of the losses they've suffered over the last year.

"Catering" is standard rated whether eaten in or takeaway.

BackforGood · 09/04/2021 20:29

I adore an afternoon tea our and about. I can do tea scones and sardines for buttons at home.
Likewise our local pub was doing takeaway. Happy to go and have a burger and chips in the pub for a tenner. 40 quid for 4 of thr same burgers delivered doesn't translate!

This is me.
It is definitely about feeling "I've been out", and knowing there is no washing up, and that someone gets the plates and the cutlery out etc etc