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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that, considering the quality Waitrose is not an expensive supermarket

164 replies

ZednotZee · 12/04/2021 19:38

We switched to shopping at predominantly Waitrose about six weeks ago. Delivery is free even though our nearest one is twenty miles away, the essentials range is probably better quality than Sainsburys/Asda/Aldi fine ranges l, the nicer products are of a quality not seen elsewhere and customer service is ace.
We aren't spending much more for a family of seven, perhaps fifty quid over a month.

I know Waitrose has a reputation of being expensive but I just haven't found it to be so, all things considered. I'm a total convert and just wondered if anybody else doesn't think it quite deserves its 'prohibitively expensive/pretentious' reputation?

OP posts:
Crispina · 12/04/2021 19:40

I get tesco but I agree waitrose food tastes nicer

JessicaPeach · 12/04/2021 19:40

It's not comparable though is it? Their essentials range compared to other supermarkets finest. Not many people are only buying sainsburys finest, if you compare basics range to basics range the cost difference is much more.

Original poster
ZednotZee · 12/04/2021 19:43

Yes I know their basics range is more expensive than the others but its not quite as expensive as the finer ranges in the others and still, the quality is better.
Plus they always have offers on nice brands too.

OP posts:
DrSbaitso · 12/04/2021 19:44

You can shop inexpensively at Waitrose. Their cottage cheese is a bit watery though.

safariboot · 12/04/2021 19:44

We aren't spending much more for a family of seven, perhaps fifty quid over a month.

In other words, you are spending more. Which is pretty much the definition of expensive.

You might regard it as good value or worth the money, it's still expensive. Sainsbury's is also expensive I find.

I shop at Tesco and I'm lucky if I have 50 quid spare at the end of the month. Just saying.

DogsSausages · 12/04/2021 19:46

I am a Waitrose convert. Their essentisls range is really good and they have loads of offers, half price, third off each week plus you accumulate vouchers when you spend.

goose1964 · 12/04/2021 19:46

They definitely have the best reduced prices, we've be them pay us for taking their bread away.

Orangesandlemons77 · 12/04/2021 19:46

Their essentials range is good and reasonable- better value that the co-op near us which only stocks brands.

They now to free delivery over £40 as well (used to be £60) I use them and Iceland for occasional freezer shops.

I find the customer care is really good too

Original poster
ZednotZee · 12/04/2021 19:47

@safariboot
Well that is why I caveated with 'considering the quality'

I'm not an insensitive arse. I know fifty quid is fifty quid, but its less than an extra tenner per person, per month for better quality, service and not having to traipse around the supermarket. Good value in my book.

OP posts:
Roselilly36 · 12/04/2021 19:50

The Waitrose essential range is excellent quality, and free delivery when shopping online if you spend over a certain amount. Win win, they have some excellent offers too.

sakuramiyagi · 12/04/2021 19:50

I'm in the huff with Waitrose. We went to pick up our shop and the fresh fruit and veg was all reduced price sticker stock, charged at full price!

We are now having to go to Aldi as we have no veg/fruit 😡

Boood · 12/04/2021 19:50

I definitely spend significantly more since I switched from Sainsbury to Waitrose for the big weekly shop. But it’s difficult to tell whether that’s just because the products available are better and therefore I buy more.

ShutUpAlex · 12/04/2021 19:50

I love Waitrose and my shop there is usually less expensive than when I go to Asda as I’m not mindlessly chucking in “reduced to £1” items. My shop at Asda would easily be £100 when at Waitrose it would be around £70

initialismsarekey · 12/04/2021 19:51

I get a Waitrose shop once every 3 weeks. I think if you factor in free delivery it's not as expensive as many people think. As an example 4 pack of apple juice is actually cheaper than the Tesco 4 pack. Things like cucumber though are 15p more expensive so it's just a balance really. I like my free paper and magazine too 🤣

SuperintendentHastings · 12/04/2021 19:51

[quote ZednotZee]@safariboot
Well that is why I caveated with 'considering the quality'

I'm not an insensitive arse. I know fifty quid is fifty quid, but its less than an extra tenner per person, per month for better quality, service and not having to traipse around the supermarket. Good value in my book.[/quote]
But surely you understand that for some people, 'even' a tenner a month per person is a lot of money that they cannot afford? So it's only good value if you can actually afford it.

initialismsarekey · 12/04/2021 19:52

Their meat is good value and quality too

LakieLady · 12/04/2021 19:53

I agree, OP. Waitrose Essentials range is, for many things, as good as or better than Tesco's Finest and considerably cheaper.

However, there is no equivalent to the cheaper ranges in Tesco, Asda etc available in Waitrose, so for families who can't afford the top end stuff in cheaper supermarkets, there's no saving to be made.

They often have good bargains on wine, too, and I get a free Guardian on a Saturday if I spend £10, so that saves me over £12 a month.

Angelica789 · 12/04/2021 19:54

I always spend an absolute fortune when I go to Waitrose. The quality is second to none I agree, but it is definitely more expensive.

MsTSwift · 12/04/2021 19:55

Love Waitrose. Due to location I end up doing Lidl / M&S food hall which is the two extremes!

howsoonisnow85 · 12/04/2021 19:55

I think Waitrose is an absolute rip off, products are exactly the same quality as Aldi & Asda but much more expensive. You are basically paying for customer service, which is fine if you know that. If you want food that is actually better quality if you have to go to M&S!

ILoveShula · 12/04/2021 19:55

It is more expensive than Aldi and Lidl, but I like the quality.
I get a free newspaper, which is normally £2.50 or £3.00.
I try to time my visit so that the clearance items are good., so generally it works out well.

I tend to shop for favourite items there. On a saturday, I would by the paper anyway, so it's £3 off the shopping basket.

NailsNeedDoing · 12/04/2021 19:55

It’s expensive when you buy all the things like branded washing power, dishwasher tablets, cleaning products and that sort of thing. If you get all those things from the cheaper places and just stick to Waitrose for food, it’s not much different.

dohdohdoh · 12/04/2021 19:56

Oh totally!

We used to do Ocado but it got increasingly more expensive. I did the same shop at Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury, Morrisons and Waitrose online...

Asda was cheapest (£47 shop + £3 delivery) but Waitrose was £50 shop + free delivery.

We went with Waitrose and have not looked back. Also love the weekly Waitrose paper you get.

And on the first shop we did with them they gave us free tea bags, biscuits and a Waitrose bag. Love them.

AWamBamBoom · 12/04/2021 19:56

I agree, I swap between all four supermarkets and their essential range is very good. My life is ruled by food at the moment so I've given it a lot of thought Grin

MsTSwift · 12/04/2021 19:57

I find Sainsbury’s a rip off. At least with Waitrose you pay abit more but it’s noticeably nicer. Sainsbury’s isnt you might as well go to Lidl as no value added as with Waitrose / M&S

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