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

[ZednotZee]

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?

I agree that it's good value if you're in the market for good quality food. Their organic produce is reasonable compared to my local organic farm shop or a delivery service for example.

I think you are paying for them to procure really nice things and put them all in one place.

Otherwise I'm having to shop everywhere.

I also get 25percent cash back on the good health range with my health plan, free delivery and a free paper.

I find the drinks really expensive though.

Actually I’ll modify my answer re M&S, whilst their quality of food has fallen off a cliff in recent years....the wine/fizz is now very good when it used to be awful!

My nan literally spent an hour trying to convince me that Waitrose isn’t expensive the other day... it’s literally renowned for being expensive 😂

I had a hunter's chicken and a curry from Waitrose and both were absolutely revolting

I would choose M&S over Waitrose. The IL's have shopped at Waitrose for years and said only yesterday how they've now changed their opinion and prefer M&S

I think a lot of people get wrapped up in this bubble that Waitrose is this incredible supermarket where the rich and famous shop so they want to too

@HedgleyTheHedgehog

I had a hunter's chicken and a curry from Waitrose and both were absolutely revolting

I would choose M&S over Waitrose. The IL's have shopped at Waitrose for years and said only yesterday how they've now changed their opinion and prefer M&S

I think a lot of people get wrapped up in this bubble that Waitrose is this incredible supermarket where the rich and famous shop so they want to too

I don't think anyone would disagree that M&S is better for ready meals. But Waitrose is much better for actual food.

Don’t know @bananapumpkin my DH spent 3 years having the Waitrose Madras every week (he’s a creature of habit) for 3 years when he had a Marks one after the swap he said it was a sad day and it wasn’t half as nice.

God I’m off to see if I can book a slot, life’s too sad, I need one of their Almond Croissants and some their apricot tart immediately!

I’ve only read the first page of the thread, so I’m sure other people know this and have probably commented the same. But I’ve worked in multiple food factories and the exact same quality food is going out to multiple supermarkets. You literally make the same batches of food and put different labels on them. Actually makes me laugh when people insist the quality of food in certain supermarkets is better, it’s really not! I’m currently working in a sun valley factory, and the only difference between the majority of Waitrose and Aldi products is the mix of herbs and spices, no difference in quality. I think Aldi’s generally superior as far more of their products are gluten free. I’m constantly bringing home freebies for my coeliac oh.

Waitrose shopper: "Just off to Waitrose" or "going to Waitrose to pick up the shopping."

I think a lot of people get wrapped up in this bubble that Waitrose is this incredible supermarket where the rich and famous shop so they want to too

I don't. I don't actually need to tell people where I am going other than the supermarket. Our neighbours probably know we shop there because a delivery van turns up once a week. I don't actually care what they think though.

Do people really believe this shit?

I’ve recently started using them and have been pleased not to have any substitutions in my orders. Such a pain when that happens and you have to go out anyway. Was impressed by their offerings in the 3 for £10 section too.

@Insomnia5 that's not true though is it. Because I've worked in a similar factory (pre-made salads) and know that better quality veg is saved for Waitrose and M&S Food, and the dregs are very much used for the likes of Asda and tesco.

I’ve tried other supermarkets and find food gets wasted because of quality issues or lack of taste

I shop in Waitrose because I’d rather not waste food and it’s reliably good each week

I have done comparable shops in Sainsbury’s and Morrison’s and overall the cost per week is around the same once you factor in delivery charges or availability of preferred items

I will never shop in Tesco

@DogsSausages

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.

They send me useless vouchers, it's all dog food, cat food and nappies. I have no dog, no cat and never have had. My baby is now an adult so there is no money to be saved. I've had. My Waitrose card for over ten years which I use every time I shop there so they've got no reason for the pointless vouchers, I never fancy pet food for my dinner.

I’ve shopped in Waitrose for years and never once had vouchers for pet food or nappies

I get money off a whole shop vouchers through mywaitrose which is their loyalty scheme

@Onedropbeat

I’ve shopped in Waitrose for years and never once had vouchers for pet food or nappies

I get money off a whole shop vouchers through mywaitrose which is their loyalty scheme

I know what it is, I said I use it too. The vouchers are just never relevant so I'll probably stop using it when or if I go back to in store shopping.

I disagree. I think Waitrose is very expensive. Everything seems to be over £1 per item, I think the quality of their food is genuinely overrated. Its useful for household kitchen items and obscure ingredients you need on occasion, but I simply can't afford their prices.

I balance shopping at Waitrose with either Morrisons or a large Asda. I used to get some 'ping' meals for the freezer from M&S but their quality has nose dived recently and prices are silly for very small portions. Waitrose has a great selection of quality stuff (their rib-eye steaks are excellent) apart from their fruit and veg which let's it down. My son had a Saturday job there 25 years ago and, even at 16, was treated well and welcomed into the team so I've always had a soft spot for them. I don't do online shopping and enjoy looking for something new to try - yes, a bit pricey but worth every penny.

I shop at Aldi and Waitrose. Waitrose, even the essential range are easily around 20% more expensive. So your shop must be pretty small for seven of you.
I quite often buy two bags at Waitrose of mod range stuff for about £30 and then fill up the trolley at Aldi for £60.
The food is nicer though!

It's not expensive if you shop very carefully and basically ignore the two thirds of products in offer that are more expensive than other supermarkets.

On the matter of quality, some will be better/nicer, but others really are no different. This has been proved when people people find products in Aldi with a Waitrose label on the back and vice versa.

I also know for a fact from visiting the factories where these products are made that some products are identical in different supermarkets.

Any time people have been subject to blind tasting, no-one can consistently identify which product comes from which supermarket.

I shop at Waitrose as all the other supermarkets charge for delivery. What I save on delivery costs I spend on slightly higher prices.

@WalkinginMemphis2 I can do without the eye rolling emoticon if that’s all the same to you. The point is that I don’t expect a supermarket that makes quality its USP to be selling ready-made goods that are pumped full of additives.

Can beat Aldi.

I'm single and don't have loyalty to any supermarket.
Waitrose 3 for £10 deal on meat and fish, is great for me and I'll stock up on salmon and tuna which would be more expensive in sainsburys/Tesco when I shop there.

They used to have a £60 minimum spend so I'd shop there very rarely, now it's down to £40 with free delivery I can do a great shop there.
But if I need rice/pasta/loo roll then it's Tesco/sainsburys.

"perhaps 50£ over a month = 600£ over a year,just for food, sorry but my biggest mantra about food is no matter where you buy it, no matter how much you spend on it,..it's only borrowed.

I’m clearly in the minority here but I think Waitrose is totally overrated. It’s stupidly expensive and the quality is really no better than Tesco. I go there sometimes because it’s my closest supermarket but I always kick myself when I do because it’s such a rip off.