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AIBU?

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Original poster

I don’t understand Waitrose.

630 replies

JensonsAcolyte · 04/05/2021 14:40

I just went to the big Waitrose because they stock gochujang paste. I thought I may as well get a few bits, chicken, cereal, crisps, pasta etc. All the sort of stuff that isn’t dinners but filler food.

£90!

For four bags of shopping.

And it didn’t feel special or posh or magical or anything.

Why do people shop there? Is it actually a snobbery thing? We have a Sainsburys, Tesco and Lidl within a mile or so radius as well.

The only thing it had going for it for me was the aforementioned chilli paste that I couldn’t get in Tesco. But other than the Ingredients range, the other ranges they offer aren’t very wide.

Will anyone admit that they shop there out of snobbery/classism? Grin

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
AbsolutelyPatsy · 04/05/2021 17:47

you could have checked the prices when you put them in the trolley, who doesnt do that?

CallMeCleo · 04/05/2021 17:48

If you think Waitrose is pricy try M&S. One bag of groceries = £35.

I saw a small pot of prawn cocktail, £5. No way I was buying it. Three spoonfuls!

TheClawww · 04/05/2021 17:49

OP I DREAM of Waitrose.
I live on a small island and the prices at the 2 grocery stores here are ludicrous. Captive Market.
Took a photo to send to my family today of the "special offer" at one of the shops - get a tube of Pringles for the bargain price of £3.07!!
YAY!

(photo)

I don’t understand Waitrose.
Enko · 04/05/2021 17:49

We moved 1.5 years ago away from a local waitrose to a larger town that has M&S Sainsbury Tesco Aldi Asda and Lidl

I drive once a month the 10 K to a local town to do a shop in waitrose for stuff I like and cant find in the other shops.
I use a local butcher now and a local greengrocer as I don't find the quality of the veg in the big Sainsbury that good (tesco and Asda is awful Lidl and Aldi ok for what I want to use that day but doesn't last)

I find tesco and Asda stuff poor quality I hate the quality of their meat

I buy some stuff in Lidl and Aldi but almost never meat I just do to like it from there I find their chicken slimey but both do a very good mnce so I do buy that there.

I find M&S great for fruit veg and bread plus cheese.. Good for ready meals but it's a bit samey their meat is ok but nothing special and expensive.

I try to avoid Tesco and Asda as I don't care for their ethics.

I miss Waitrose and wish we had a local one I would remain there. I still 1.5 years on find our shop more expensive in Sainsbury.

ImInStealthMode · 04/05/2021 17:55

Where I live we have co-op, Waitrose and a few small Morrison's/Tesco that are franchises so more expensive than their big superstore counterparts.

The quality and range in Waitrose is far better than the others, added to it being a nicer atmosphere and better service.

At Christmas our local branch let you book an entry time in advance to avoid queuing outside in the cold. Magic.

BlueLobelia · 04/05/2021 17:55

@CallMeCleo

If you think Waitrose is pricy try M&S. One bag of groceries = £35.

I saw a small pot of prawn cocktail, £5. No way I was buying it. Three spoonfuls!

We have an M&S near us and i have come to really dislike it. Very pricy and really ordinary food.

It used to be the place to go for treat food.

Mind you, we are very rural and there is nothing else within walking distance so they have a captive market and probably do not have to try that hard. On the other hand though, the M&S took over from another branded supermarket, and kept almost all the staff. Wheh this first happened I was talking with various staff (like I saidl small rural place) and they were thrilled with the change- said they were treated loads better, better hours, better perks, better everything. So it has that I guess.

Stilllivinginazoo · 04/05/2021 17:56

My nearest store is Waitrose.
I have a dairy free child and the range is good
It's very clean
The staff are really nice
They are still strict with number limits so it's never super busy inside
It sells a lot of things I can't buy elsewhere
I do shop in other places too

Gandalfsthong · 04/05/2021 17:57

Don’t do my big shop there, but I do like popping in sometimes as they have bits I can’t get in Sainsbury’s. As others have said, it feels organised, cleaner and just more pleasant than sainsburys or Aldi. It is expensive though...no snobbery from me, I’d go there all the time if I could afford to.

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 04/05/2021 18:01

@TheClawww

OP I DREAM of Waitrose. I live on a small island and the prices at the 2 grocery stores here are ludicrous. Captive Market. Took a photo to send to my family today of the "special offer" at one of the shops - get a tube of Pringles for the bargain price of £3.07!! YAY!

(photo)

@TheClawww, yours look like a bargain! The Pringles available from my local co-op are sold at the princely sum of £4.20 a tube on deliveroo Shock. This is a suburban co-op branch and also has a delivery charge and a service charge so it’s not like they can justify the mark up to make up for it.
I don’t understand Waitrose.
Wanderlust20 · 04/05/2021 18:02

That's ridiculously expensive but then again we do our main shop at Aldi and only go to Tesco for a few bits and bobs we can't get in Aldi (or because we particularly love a certain Tesco's own product). Only go to Waitrose for things you cannot get anywhere else, like the paste you mentioned!

2bazookas · 04/05/2021 18:04

Must be hard to haul four bags with that giant chip on your shoulder

AdoraBell · 04/05/2021 18:07

Where I live, SW, the basic items, own brand fruit juice and the yoghurt brand I buy are cheaper than Tesco and Sainsbury’s. They do 3 for £10 on lots of meat/fish.

It depends what you bought OP

LigPatin · 04/05/2021 18:09

@BalladOfBarryAndFreda my God.
I remember when Pringles were £1 a tube. Then there was the slow decline where it was only a quid in a promotion. £4.20 a tube is crushing. They are not £4 worth of fun.

Fuckitfuckit · 04/05/2021 18:11

Our family prefer the fruit and the veg we like is consistently in stock, whereas it isn't in our local aldi.

I also find its generally quite quiet too, which is nice!

A bit extra for most things, but some of its worth the extra.

CafeMochaVodkaValiumLate · 04/05/2021 18:15

I do like the boujie options in Waitrose tbf

Sparklingbrook · 04/05/2021 18:15

@Fink, I've never had a problem with adding or removing things. I use my phone and haven't had a random check for months.

The Asda one is really odd as it can't scan yellow stickered things Confused

Tombero · 04/05/2021 18:17

I like Waitrose. I find the quality and longevity of the food good. I tend to shop the offers though, i.e meat 3 for £10, or meal deals. The fruit seems to last longer than other supermarkets.

I find the shop less busy and calmer than others. I also like my free paper, I tend to go on Sunday for that.

I actually spend a fortune if I go to Aldi or Lidl, especially if my DD comes and we go through those buckets in the middle Grin

TillyTopper · 04/05/2021 18:19

So if you think Waitrose is so bad why did you buy 4 bags of stuff instead of the 1 bottle you wanted?!

LadyPoison · 04/05/2021 18:19

I hate supermarkets so I shop in Waitrose as it’s a more civilised experience. Much quieter, better quality food, still has a deli counter and the staff are helpful.

I never felt very safe in Tesco during the worst of the Covid crisis on the one occasion I went in for something I’d forgotten. It was crowded and mask compliance was noticeably lower.

SoupDragon · 04/05/2021 18:20

in Waitrose they take your phone off you and go through it!

In mine they scanned the QR code that comes up and then scan however many items they're told to.

I do prefer the Sainsbury's app for being able to add multiples though. I've never had an issue removing Waitrose items - just click "remove" and scan.

Sparklingbrook · 04/05/2021 18:21

@LadyPoison

I hate supermarkets so I shop in Waitrose as it’s a more civilised experience. Much quieter, better quality food, still has a deli counter and the staff are helpful.

I never felt very safe in Tesco during the worst of the Covid crisis on the one occasion I went in for something I’d forgotten. It was crowded and mask compliance was noticeably lower.

The one time i went to Tesco in the last year or so I got in a tangle with their one way system and couldn't get out of the wine section without going against it. Then I got told off. Blush I've not been back.
endoftherow · 04/05/2021 18:21

I do all my shopping in Waitrose. A) it's the closest B) I like that it isn't a huge shop and C) I don't find it that expensive.

They do sell lots of own brand stuff including coco pops which I buy for DC1.

DrCoconut · 04/05/2021 18:21

Sainsbury's is very expensive. I only really go there because of the free from aisle which is fantastic. Morrison's isn't cheap either and even Asda is getting pricey. I can't comment on Waitrose as we don't have one. Lidl and Aldi here Grin

Disfordarkchocolate · 04/05/2021 18:21

I love our Waitrose, you just have to know what to buy. They are the best for a wide range of ingredients. It's not my main shop though.

Royalbloo · 04/05/2021 18:22

The supermarkets are entirely different propositions for different customer groups. We all go "off piste" sometimes but this is why...