To think Ocado is expensive?

[hawleybits]

I was going to sign up to Ocado, but it seems overpriced. Am I missing something? Why do people rave about it?

Yanbu. It wasn't even worth it for me with a voucher for money off, still worked out more expensive.

It is more expensive that Aldi, Lidl etc but IMO the quality of the food is much better and it saves fighting down the aisles of the supermarket as it is all delivered to your door.

I found when I went to the supermarket I was spending £100, but by doing Ocado and just ordering what we need for dinners then it was never more than £60. I think the individual items are more expensive but I look at the offers every week and I edit my basket constantly to make sure I am shopping savvy. Or I could just have more self control at the supermarket

They regularly send me 15% off vouchers but even with those, it's too expensive for me.
Also, do they still insist in putting the shopping in zillions of plastic bags? That alone put me off.

They price match to tesco, and recycle the bags if you hand them back to the driver, plus you get 5p per bag.

Ocado plastic bags are fully recyclable and you get 5p per bag off your next shop.

I admit to only a very brief scan of their website and I like the idea of being able to get pretty much everything. Honestly though, of the few items I price checked I cannot justify an Ocado shop. Bit sad.

plastic bags are fully recyclable and you get 5p per bag off your next shop.
Yes, that's the bit I don't like, - I basically use entirely re-usable bags now. I'd rather they used no bags (like e.g. Tesco) and I don't like the fact you don't get your bag money back until the next shop - it ties you into shopping from them again.

It depends on what you want to buy. I use Ocado as they have the biggest selection of various basics that I can’t get elsewhere. I like going to Lidl for fruit and vegetables but otherwise they have very few things I want to buy.

Is Ocado just the online shopping name for Waitrose!? Sorry if I'm being a bit thick...

It is expensive but you can often get a code which makes it worthwhile as the quality, dates etc are much better.

Two words. Flash sales.
I've got 4 organic chicken breasts for 59p in my next delivery!

No Ocado isn’t waitrose online. Waitrose have their own online business. I use Ocado because they have a great choice and it is convenient. I’m not saying they are the cheapest, but they are providing the service I want.

No, Ocado price match Tesco and if your basket is more expensive then you will get a refund of the difference.

I find I spend more when I do an online Tesco shop. Ocado often have fresh meat half price and you can get some great deals with their flash sales. I got a pack of two organic fillet steaks for just £8 with my last shop. Never managed to get 4 chicken breasts for 59p though. How on earth did you manage that?!

I rave because...
The drivers are prompt, helpful and friendly
The basics always seem v similar in price
I need some things that Aldi/Lidl don't stock eg lactofree milk.
If it's cheaper than Tesco i get a money off voucher.
They recycle their bags and any other bags.

Pinkchampagne, they are usually £5.99. Were on flash sale for £2.99. There was a coupon for £2.40 on my account (you get different ones every month) so it worked out as 59p.
Used this trick to get magnum ice cream for 34p too!
I do check flash sales every day as I love ocado food (and it's addictive!) but couldn't afford to shop there at their full prices.
My next shop is £58, should have been £130-ish.
It's our payday treat because we are by no means loaded so I spend all month getting my basket together using the flash sales and coupons

I used it for the first time this week. I didn’t notice anything dearer than the other supermarkets barring Aldi and Lidl.
Is there anything particular you’ve noticed is more expensive? I’m on a budget so if I find it too expensive I’ll switch to Tesco. I used Ocado for the 30% off.

I agree with those who say it’s no more expensive than most places, and is far better quality generally.

I get flamed whenever I say this but Aldi and Lidl are really only value for money if you don’t work or have a lot of time on your hands. It’s rare to be able to do a full shop, so you need to pop to at least a couple of shops, and the dates are usually short. You lose the £ saving in time and energy spent.

I don’t think it’s expensive, about the same as Tesco. They give you money back when they price match, and find Tesco would have been cheaper. I got 37p back last week, so the difference is minimal. I find it better value as you get better offers and more choice.

I heard they price matched too, but I can only conclude it's not on stuff I buy, and every supermarket matches things to their own advantage so they all tend to work out cheapest, by their own calcs.

In reality I found them way more expensive than Tesco or Asda. The fruit and veg, and plain meat, in particular, and I found too often things are out of stock on their website. Lovely lovely service though (though my Tesco man is fab too).

mummyinmanchester - I do the same with the flat sales. I keep going back to amend my order and check if there are any new bits I fancy in the flash sale before checkout. As well as the fillet steaks I got fresh meatballs, salmon fillets and organic pork chops all half price in the flash sale with my last shop. Jealous of your chicken breast bargain though. Will remember to check my coupons in future!

I can feel myself getting drawn in! Two things I looked at were cat food and bleach - both more expensive. Do they do own brand stuff?

Bleach is 50p for 750ml. Feels ok to me.

No idea on cat food as I don’t have a cat!

Ocado seems to have the lowest substitution rate of any of the supermarkets I've tried. I assume this is because it comes directly from a warehouse rather than an actual supermarket. I shop with Ocado weekly, and I probably have only had around 4 substitutions this year.