To not understand why so many people still insist on going to the supermarket?

[Dancergirl]

Having just read yet another supermarket angst thread (involvoing trollies), it made me wonder why so many people still do their food shop in this way...? Most of the online services are fantastic these days and so much easier. The benefits:

1. Shop online from home at any time that suits you
2. Many of the instore offers are available online
3. You tend not to impulse buy so spend less
4. You don't have to deal with dragging children round the supermarket - you could spend this time doing something FUN
5. You don't have to deal with nagging for sweets/rides/comics etc
6. You save petrol money
7. Someone else packs your shopping and BRINGS IT IN FOR YOU!

Honestly, what's not to like?

Yes I know the 'I like to choose my own fruit and veg/fresh stuff' argument. I like to too but not that much lol

And yes sometimes there are occasional problems with timing or items being substituted but in my experience these times are far and few between and the benefits GREATLY outweigh these.

) Erm, it's cheaper because you don't pay delivery charges, getting there and back doesn't remotely cost us £5 in petrol. If we get the bus it's only £1.20 in fact.

Not where I live. I would spend the best part of £5 on petrol anyway and I don't begrudge paying £5 for someone to pick and eliver my order

2. Writing a list and only buying what's on it is also another stunningly original way of avoiding impulse buying.

I use "my favourites" saved on the Tesco website and don't end up buying things I don't need.

3. I like to pick my own fruit, veg and meat so I can get the nicest pieces.

I go to a local farm shop for those

4. You can do your own substitutions, including the decision to make a completely different meal if something vital is unavailable.

I have never had a crap substitute. If anything the subs have been better, especially the wine . Tesco always sub with something better

5. Keeps more people employed staking shelves and at checkouts etc.

Picking orders keeps a lot of people employed

6. I quite like the supermarket and have never been judged, treated badly by staff or had a row with another customer...

I never get treated badly or disprespectfully. In fact I have always found supermarket personnel helpful and friendly

I agree with you Bunbaker - feet in both camps here. Nice bit of meat from the butcher, nice loaf from the baker, yummy pastries from the patisserie, and the savings from the Asda delivery for the "storables" more than covers the deliverables.

1. Shop online from home at any time that suits you

• here they only have the silly slots available (who's home at 9:30am?) or good slots two weeks in advance

1. Many of the instore offers are available online

• so what?

1. You tend not to impulse buy so spend less

• that's what a shopping list is for

1. You don't have to deal with dragging children round the supermarket - you could spend this time doing something FUN

• go shopping during the week when the dc are in bed?

1. You don't have to deal with nagging for sweets/rides/comics etc

• see above

1. You save petrol money

• walking doesn't cost petrol money

1. Someone else packs your shopping and BRINGS IT IN FOR YOU!

• I like to pack my own stuff and despise plastic bags! plus the exercise is good for you.

AND I get to make my own funny substitutions :o

has anyone mentioned finding shopping lists yet?
another reason to go to the shops in person

If you buy £100 worth and have delivered on Monday, Wednesday or Thursday it is free from Sainsbury.

Shopping once a fortnight that is an easy figure to reach for a family.

Honestly, I put together a menu plan after a quick scoot round the fridges, freezers and cupboards. Hardly anything goes to waste.

The initial order is easy to set up and once in you list of 'Usuals' presented to you every time you shop. My shopping takes less time than travelling to the supermarket. I do it at night once DSs have gone to bed and with a cup of tea and credit card in hand it is a no stress excercise.

"has anyone mentioned finding shopping lists yet?
another reason to go to the shops in person"

I'm not sure I understand what you mean.

Those of you who walk to the supermarket. How do you manage to physically carry a week's worth of shopping? Or do you go every day?

Majestic Wine deliver all our wine too because that is really heavy to carry if you buy in industrial quantities dont have a car.

YOu can't pay cash for a delivery. We don't have a payment card. That means we have to go to the supermarket.
It's better for us anyway as we scour the reduced bits.

agree Kenobi. I love my Ocado Delivery Pass, 6.99 per month for unlimited deliveries with £40 minimum spend. They are so efficaient i have found.DH says our food bills have reduced coz i don't get distracted with impulse buys. I do have to add that i live a 15 min drive from a supermarket tho anyway.

A trip to the supermarket once a week gets me and DD out of the house for a couple of hours, she likes sitting in the trolley seat and hurling things into the trolley helping with the shopping, and she falls asleep in the car on the way home. I quite enjoy it. The one time she refised to sit in the trolley and I had to drag her around and constantly replace the things she'd pulled off the shelves was a bit hellish though, I have to admit.