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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Holland & Barret are a rip off who cynically rip of old people....

77 replies

Nobra2matchmypanties · 30/04/2018 13:42

I have a mild ailment at the moment and my friend suggested trying a certain product. I went into Holland & Barret and I was shocked at how expensive it was. When I checked out the rest of their products, I saw it was the same all over.

I saw the same product online, much cheaper. Basically, they charge so much because they believe old people won't get online and search out better deals.

OP posts:
Dermymc · 30/04/2018 13:43

Or they have to run and staff actual retail premises with higher overheads and therefore need to charge more?

crumbsinthecutlerydrawer · 30/04/2018 13:44

They’re expensive yes but I don’t think they specifically target ‘old people’. Confused

Seeline · 30/04/2018 13:44

Most stuff is cheaper on line - less overheads (staff, shops etc) IME lots of older people are quite capable of checking stuff online and have the time to do so.

WomaninGreen · 30/04/2018 13:45

you can't compare the price of a product online to the price in a shop. there's so many things to factor in.

KirstenRaymonde · 30/04/2018 13:47

Things in real shops will almost always be more expensive than online because they have different overheads. It’s got nothing to do with trying to do over old people Hmm

ChasedByBees · 30/04/2018 13:47

What makes you think their target market is elderly?

mavismcruet · 30/04/2018 13:48

Basically, they charge so much because they believe old people won't get online and search out better deals.

That’s some business plan! Grin

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 30/04/2018 13:51

I'm not elderly and I buy from H&B; it does cost quite a lot but I like the products because they are higher concentration so you need to shove fewer in your gob.

Many elderly people have prescriptions for various drugs and the H&B supplements are possibly included with them anyway.

I don't understand your gripe. If you can buy it cheaper elsewhere... then do.

systemlakeland · 30/04/2018 13:53

Agree with pps.

Also, if you do get cheaper online do make sure you are getting from a reputable seller and not being conned as happens with a lot of toiletries. In the case of herbal remedies, this could be positively dangerous!

Maybe some people are willing to pay extra to H&B for that peace of mind about the source of their products.

moita · 30/04/2018 13:55

Its 'penny sales' are good. I've found the staff helpful as well.

It's no secret lots of stuff is cheaper online, surely. That's partly why Amazon et al do so well....

ParisUSM · 30/04/2018 13:56

'old people', haha. I would hazard a guess they make more money out of women going through the menopause than anything else. The penny sale is on at the moment so you can pick up things cheaper than online. Some online suppliers of vitamins can be a bit dodgy too and you also can read reviews on their online (yes H&B) are online too. It's also handier for me to pick up things in the store as it's 5 minutes walk away from me.

TawnyPort · 30/04/2018 13:58

Basically, they charge so much because they believe old people won't get online and search out better deals

What is your evidence for this claim? Or even that old people are their target market? Or even that there is any reason they should not do this even if it is all true?

Idratherhaveacupoftea · 30/04/2018 13:58

I'm old and I get all my stuff online. Why do you think older people are completely incapable of doing things younger people do. I would never go to H&B they are much more expensive.

allez · 30/04/2018 13:58

It's nothing to do with ripping off the elderly (or those who don't shop online). For a start, they will have higher overheads being a bricks and mortar business.

I think it's more cynically ripping off the perpetually stupid who wash their hair with honey and have pumpkin seeds on their liquorice root. It's a shop full of crap, up to, and including, homeopathy.

Wisdens · 30/04/2018 13:59

Hmmm, a few quid extra to provide employment, taxes paid and not dodged along with helping to prevent high streets becoming ghost towns.

Sounds like a bargain to me.

listsandbudgets · 30/04/2018 14:00

My MIL is 90 so I suppose you could call her an old person (though she'd bite your head off and point out shes "mature". She never shops in HOlland and Barrett - unless they offer her a better price than she can get on the internet.... She's actually absolutely rubbish at using internet for such research but makes the most of her 6 grandchildren and send them research instructions..... Grin

ParisUSM · 30/04/2018 14:01

so now it's old people and the 'perpetually stupid'! Fantastic. Ok for me to get my vitamin D there, or is that 'crap' too?

lavendargreen · 30/04/2018 14:02
Biscuit
londonrach · 30/04/2018 14:02

Dh just gone to them now and hes in his 30s as hes not working today and like they products. He tried to order online but by the time you added postage etc its better to buy and h&b

moita · 30/04/2018 14:02

I think it's more cynically ripping off the perpetually stupid who wash their hair with honey and have pumpkin seeds on their liquorice root. It's a shop full of crap, up to, and including, homeopathy.

Oh but they have a great range of dairy-free chocolate BlushGrin

DSHathawayGivesMeFannyGallops · 30/04/2018 14:03

Walking to H&B is cheaper and quicker and more convenient than ordering with added delivery costs. And they sell Almond butter cheaper than Waitrose- my nearest supermarket to walk to. So yes, they're pricey, but YABU. Oh, and I'm 27 so not that old!

DuchyDuke · 30/04/2018 14:06

It’s biggest customer base is actually cash paying young men under 25 who want reliable protein supplements but don’t have a credit card.

Sadsnake · 30/04/2018 14:08

You have to be careful buying tablets on line ,..at least in holland and Barrett you are sure to get what you pay for

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 30/04/2018 14:08

allez, you're very annoying; how can you think you're in any way qualified to comment and pass judgement on what other people use or why they buy/use it.

Ignorance is the epitome of stupid. Loud braying about something that you have no actual knowledge of and such a willingness to draw attention to it too... yikes!

I personally like supporting a UK shop and vapid comments from people like you won't stop me.

Theknacktoflying · 30/04/2018 14:08

The penny sales are a rip off ...

I bought some vitamins from Boots and they were cheaper ...