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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:
LimaFoxtrotCharlie · 12/04/2021 19:58

@howsoonisnow85

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!
But the quality of produce at Waitrose is indisputably better than both Aldi and Asda.
sirfredfredgeorge · 12/04/2021 19:58

Our local waitrose is shit, you can't get any wafer thin ham that's not got added water for example, so for that for example it can't be "better quality" to me, as I don't want water in my ham.

Of course quality is not something that there is a definitive scale on, it just means you prefer that, rather than that is objectively better, and that's fine, but what that means is you can't say one is better quality than another unless you also say what you mean by quality.

All too often it's taken to just mean "I paid more for this is a snobbier store".

ILoveShula · 12/04/2021 19:58

I must be buying different food from what @howsoonisnow85, as I find the quality is much better in Waitrose. The local M&S closed, but I don't think I ever bought anything I didn't like there - it was all excellent.

Rno3gfr · 12/04/2021 19:59

If you can feed a family of 7 at Waitrose then you’re obviously loaded. I can’t even afford Tesco, let alone Waitrose! Counting the pennies don’t matter when the pounds are spilling in.

Newestname001 · 12/04/2021 19:59

Buying online at Waitrose, at the moment, actually saves me money as I tend to stick to what I actually need and not pick up things I see and like in store, especially browsing the shelves.

Before I used to "pop in" for something different to what I had at home and end up spending far more than I'd planned, on impulse buys.

I like that the minimum online shop has reduced to £40 without charge, so think I'll just continue with regular weekly shops, now slots are easier to book.🌹

mrsm43s · 12/04/2021 20:00

But whilst Waitrose essentials is better quality than other supermarkets value range, it's not comparable to their finest ranges. I think it's on a par with standard own brands from the likes of Sainsbury's etc, and a bit more expensive, and more limited. Waitrose does do some nice stuff, but you pay a premium for it.

SirenSays · 12/04/2021 20:01

I only really use Waitrose for top up shops and maybe the big one at Christmas. I don't see any point buying the basics there, when they're usually from exactly the same place and just have a Waitrose sticker instead of Tesco or Aldi one for example.

Flapjak · 12/04/2021 20:02

I find it enjoyable shopping at waitrose wheras Asda fills me with loathing. Am not sure why, if its the layout, asda has hundreds of types kf beans or cereals and its just too much, or there is a higher proportion of other peoples annoying children (i have my own which are no douby equally annoying)

Tal45 · 12/04/2021 20:02

@sakuramiyagi

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 😡

Complain - if something is short life you should get it free if I recall correctly. They are very good at refunding if you complain as I have a few times.
Terrylovesyogurt · 12/04/2021 20:02

I agree OP.

I used to get Waitrose through Ocado. When they split, Waitrose had to expand their delivery areas so as not to lose customers I guess (they previously didn't deliver in our rural area) and I've nothing but praise for them.

Love that all deliveries are free. That there is a very low £40 min spend. Their essentials range is fantastic,top quality at competitive prices (if looking at like for like quality).

My weekend indulgence is a Waitrose delivery with free newspaper, bringing fresh bread, nice cheeses etc for a lazy lunch. Love it Smile

EssentialHummus · 12/04/2021 20:03

I can't always, er, taste the difference.

It's odd in this house. No ££ constraints but I feel I don't enjoy the experience when I think about what this or that item would cost in Aldi. OTOH if we're going for a picnic or similar I love calling in to a Waitrose or M&S for sushi/sandwiches/crisps/drinks/snacks.

Original poster
ZednotZee · 12/04/2021 20:03

@MsTSwift

Absolutely! We were shopping at Sainsburys previously, even my DC have commented that the food is nicer since we switched, particularly the meat and bakery produce.

OP posts:
mooonstone · 12/04/2021 20:05

To be honest, I think Waitrose can be hit and miss.

M&S used to pull out all the stops but they’ve definitely let their standards slip! I spent a week searching for their trendy cake jars, found them today - a tiny pot for £4. I assumed the price would be worth it as M&S is usually top tier…but no. It was worse than their other cakes and nauseously sweet

CupoTeap · 12/04/2021 20:05

Less than £50 if you take of the delivery fee from other supermarkets

trilbydoll · 12/04/2021 20:06

It is nicer, I always go to Waitrose for top up shops but they can easily cost as much as the weekly shop does from Asda! Having said that I always think they don't sell a lot of the easy convenience food (not in our local store anyway, it's not that big) so if I did a proper shop there we would probably eat better.

Original poster
ZednotZee · 12/04/2021 20:07

@Rno3gfr

Nope, not loaded but live in the North so comparatively smaller mortgage payments and no big commute so we can afford to prioritise things like food.

OP posts:
drpet49 · 12/04/2021 20:08

* The Waitrose essential range is excellent quality*

^I disagree. I’ve stopped shopping at Waitrose because I have noticed the quality decline too much. Most of their basics are poor now.

rizzo23 · 12/04/2021 20:09

@ZednotZee if it's prepackaged bakery stuff it's made in the same place as other supermarkets and is all the same. No supermarket bakes from scratch, it's all part baked and just thrown in the oven. Cakes come in frozen and are defrosted and labelled up, they are literally all made in the same factory. My uncle would come home with M&S, Tesco, Asda stuff when he worked in a bakery. When I started in retail I was so disappointed when I found out the bread wasn't made in store, I had no idea it was part baked and frozen.

howsoonisnow85 · 12/04/2021 20:09

Yes I agree, I dont think the produce is better quality (as per PP comment), I think its exactly the same as Asda etc, just alot more expensive.

avocadotofu · 12/04/2021 20:10

I completely agree. We used to use Ocado but much prefer Waitrose now. We are easily able to book our weekly delivery and the costumer service is wonderful too.

MrsPnut · 12/04/2021 20:12

I used to only buy Heinz baked beans but after a what should I buy from Waitrose thread in here, I have switched to Waitrose essential which have been 4 tins for £1.10 which I think is not bad value.
I have shopped at Waitrose for years because I can order online and someone kind and helpful brings it to my house. I have never had an order cancelled and if I have ever had a problem then they have sorted it out quickly and without fuss.

Apparently according to my daughter’s friends we are bougie for shopping there. 😝

howsoonisnow85 · 12/04/2021 20:12

It actually annoys me to shop there (I do because its closest to home) because the food is the same quality, you just have to pay for the shopping experience which I am not bothered about.

Dunairbeanat · 12/04/2021 20:12

I really miss the Waitrose range since they split from Ocado. I am definitely not well off but their products were always good quality. I would rather buy less and have nicer food.
There are only two of us so I understand for families on a similar income to us it would not be viable.

Ellpellwood · 12/04/2021 20:12

I think comparing Sainsbury's as the price representative of a non-Waitrose supermarket is a bit unfair. Their finest ready meals for 2 people are £6 and it's only another £1 for a Charlie Bighams which are sold in both. We use ours for milk as it's behind our house but you get far more for your money in Tesco, Asda and Morrison's than in Sainsbury's.

greyspottedgoose · 12/04/2021 20:13

[quote rizzo23]@ZednotZee if it's prepackaged bakery stuff it's made in the same place as other supermarkets and is all the same. No supermarket bakes from scratch, it's all part baked and just thrown in the oven. Cakes come in frozen and are defrosted and labelled up, they are literally all made in the same factory. My uncle would come home with M&S, Tesco, Asda stuff when he worked in a bakery. When I started in retail I was so disappointed when I found out the bread wasn't made in store, I had no idea it was part baked and frozen. [/quote]
Most Tesco stores bakes bread from scratch in store, ours do.
its only cakes and the specialist bread like olive/three cheese ect that comes in frozen