Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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
KillerFlamingo · 04/05/2021 15:25

Another Booths fan here. I don't see anything special about Waitrose or M&S food but Booths is amazing, especially if you want a fancy picnic, so much cheese!

OneEpisode · 04/05/2021 15:25

PP asked; they made a change asking customers to take our own cup for drinks. The machines are there at mine but not in use (COVID). I still count up my spend for the free proper newspaper though..

ViciousJackdaw · 04/05/2021 15:25

I never said it was my first visit!

In which case, I apologise. It's just that your surprise at the cost made me think you'd not been before.

maxelly · 04/05/2021 15:25

@blobblob

We can't comment because we don't know what you bought. £90 might be reasonable. I shop there because:
  • they treat their staff better
  • they treat their suppliers better
  • their food is generally much better quality - and I don't want to eat rubbish, cheap food
  • they support charities that I support
  • their staff are properly trained and pleasant and polite

I have done cheaper shops before and I feel hard done by because the food's not as nice or I know the supplier's been screwed over or the chickens have lived miserable lives etc etc

You think people shop there for snobbish reasons. Really - why on earth would they?? I'm sick of people moaning and virtue signalling about what they think should happen but supporting businesses that make it less likely.

This, for me. I actively try and avoid supermarkets altogether these days and buy mainly online from suppliers that I know are doing their best for the environment, serious about animal welfare, treating their suppliers and staff fairly, paying appropriate tax etc - all supermarket chains in the UK are pretty poor for this, Tesco, Asda and Sainsburies are amongst the worst rated. I also try and support our local grocery and zero waste shops. But much as I try there are some things I struggle to find other than in the supermarkets (or sometimes there's a planning failure and top-up shops needed) and in those instances waitrose is the best of a bad bunch ethically speaking (alongside M&S and Co-Op but we don't have those locally).

I don't think the quality is necessarily better in Waitrose although for some things it is, and you def pay a premium on some items but for me I am prepared to do that for the sake of buying a slightly more ethically sourced option and can afford to make cut backs in other areas - I recognize this as a privilege and not within everyone's reach of course. I do think the shopping experience is marginally nicer in Waitrose, certainly compared to budget supermarkets in terms of how spacious and nicely laid out the store is, plus you very rarely have to queue at checkout so that's a bonus. I am absolutely sure some people do shop their for more or less 'snobby' reasons although you'll never get anyone to admit it on MN, they certainly have more premium brands, a better organic selection etc than other supermarkets so for the wealthy shopper who can't be arsed to trail around multiple places and doesn't care that they may be paying 10% extra on their shreddies and milk for the sake of being able to get premo sourdough and biscuits in the same place it's by far the easiest option...

SixesAndEights · 04/05/2021 15:26

@RedactedTaeFeck

And Booths is the best supermarket by miles.
The were almost taken over by Sainsbury's, before Edwin Booth returned and tightened things up.
lazylinguist · 04/05/2021 15:27

Not everyone lives near an Asian food shop!

YANBU OP. We don't have Waitrose where I live now, but we have Booths (northern and better Grin). Booths/Waitrose have a nice atmosphere and sell high welfare meat qnd some nice high end stuff but I wouldn't dream of doing my weekly shop there.

The vast majority of normal stuff you buy there will be more expensive (sometimes with posher-looking packaging) and not necessarily better than anywhere else. Waitrose bread is crap (unless they've improved it since I last went). Since converting to Aldi, I won't even do my main shop in Sainsbury's or Tesco - more expensive, no better. I buy 90% of my weekly shop in Aldi and pop next door to Booths for the few remaining bits.

LeilaLiesLow · 04/05/2021 15:28

I don't think they are that much more expensive. I've alternated between Waitrose, Ocado and Tesco all during lockdown, depending where I could get deliveries or collect.

They are on average about 10% pricier over a large order. I'd rather pay that as I prefer the choice and the availability of more free range and organic meat (which I buy a little of.)

I also want to support local and UK farmers and think Waitrose are doing more than other supermarkets with this.

SixesAndEights · 04/05/2021 15:28

I know a fair few people who either work or have worked for Booths, they don't treat their staff very well.

Doris86 · 04/05/2021 15:28

@JensonsAcolyte

No, lunches. Sliced chicken. Cost me £7 for two packs! Seven English pounds Shock
You would have seen the prices on everything as you picked it up. Why not walk out and go to Lidl instead if you didn’t like it, rather than paying £90?
Camomila · 04/05/2021 15:29

I used to use Waitrose for my main shop as a student Shock
It was cheaper than Tesco Metro (nearest supermarket) and Sainsburies wasn't on a bus route. Luckily I got together with DH in 2nd year, and he had a car so could take me to Sainsburies.

Doomsdayiscoming · 04/05/2021 15:30

Not judging, but do you eat meat daily?

Like was this a meat heavy shop? Because better quality?

Genuinely curious, not goading.

RosaLuxemburgwasright · 04/05/2021 15:31

I can get things there that I can't get at other supermarkets. It's not my main shop, that's Tesco home delivery. That said I had my first Waitrose home delivery today, had a look and saw it was £4 to deliver which is less than my bus fare to go there - I don't drive, I live in a village, bus fares are stupidly expensive. The driver saw that it was my first time home delivery shopping with them, thanked me for shopping with them and said he looked forward to seeing me again. This wasn't delivered like a robotic "you must say x to customers", it was just really nice.

The staff in the store are really helpful and lovely too. A couple of years ago I was there and my granny trolley had a squeaky wheel. A staff member went and got some oil or something that makes squeaking go away and did it for me. Little things like that make me quite loyal to them.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 04/05/2021 15:32

I've seen gochujang paste and sauce in quite a few foreign supermarkets😁 Tasty!

I've just realised I've never been to wiatrose...

user1487194234 · 04/05/2021 15:32

I do most of my shopping in Waitrose,for me the quality of food and the experience are better.I don't like to buy cheap food.

Susie477 · 04/05/2021 15:33

I have been shopping at Waitrose more during the pandemic because mask wearing & social distancing has been very good in my local branch. I have completely stopped shopping at Asda because it has been the opposite.

I’m fortunate to be able to afford to shop somewhere I perceive to be safer, so if that makes me a snob, fine.

Goldenbear · 04/05/2021 15:34

I echo what a PP has said about the quality, the sources etc. But mostly it is because it is my nearest large supermarket. I think it is a better supermarket for people who don't do 7 days of meals etc. As it is smaller. I will occasionally go to a bigger Tesco or Sainsburys and spend loads more!

I don't have a Booths near me as I am in the south but tried one when I visited the lake district on the back of Mumsnet praising its merits but was hugely disappointed. We bought some cake that was dry and there wasn't a great choice of ingredients. I think Waitrose is better personally.

Nat6999 · 04/05/2021 15:34

I used Waitrose during lockdown, I didn't find them much more expensive than Sainsbury's.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 04/05/2021 15:34

@Doomsdayiscoming

Not judging, but do you eat meat daily?

Like was this a meat heavy shop? Because better quality?

Genuinely curious, not goading.

I might have missed something but that doesn't look meat heavy
ZednotZee · 04/05/2021 15:35

Waitrose and Heron are the only supermarkets I regularly shop at.

So no, I don't think I could be accused of snobbery.
I do my main shop at Waitrose and then pick up the cheap offers on branded things that Heron have such as yoghurts and crap for the kids etc.
Waitrose food is just nicer thats why I shop there.

OneDayAtATime1305 · 04/05/2021 15:35

I don't think I've ever shopped in a Waitrose! Maybe once on a holiday....it's not really a big thing near me so even if I wanted to overspend for pasta I wouldn't have the chance aha

Y0YO · 04/05/2021 15:35

The meat is likely to be 'higher welfare' so more expensive. If you want cheap meat you have to accept animals being treated like crap their entire short, painful lives. Maybe most people who shop at Waitrose don't ?

LeilaLiesLow · 04/05/2021 15:36

Waitrose have actually reduced some of their main lines over recent months. eg salmon fillets have come down from over £5 to £4.50.
Yes, they are pricier than some supermarkets, like Aldi and Lidl, but not everyone has these on their doorstep. On balance, you will pay pretty much the same for a lot of items as the other big 4 supermarkets.

ifIwerenotanandroid · 04/05/2021 15:36

The thing I've noticed under lockdown, when I couldn't order from Waitrose but could order from a range of other supermarkets, is how much better everyone else's vegetables are. I used to only/mostly shop at Waitys because it was nearest, but eating veg from there was just a flavourless chore. Won't be back once everywhere feels safe once again.

Also, they took out the patisserie counter, & I can't forgive them for that.

Melroses · 04/05/2021 15:36

I don't find it expensive - do a £70 - £80 a week shop there. There are lots of interesting things there so if I got carried away it could easily be £180 Grin

I also do Sainsbury's, Aldi and M&S every so often and spend loads in there buying things I do not normally get. I am a sucker for fake Mars Bars. HomeBargains has lots of crisps.

I rarely do tesco as the one next to me got prosecuted for food hygiene, but last time I went there for reduced gin, I came back with a half price leg of lamb.

I find if I go to the same place regularly, I get inured to the things they are trying to sell me.

GreyHare · 04/05/2021 15:36

@blobblob

We can't comment because we don't know what you bought. £90 might be reasonable. I shop there because:
  • they treat their staff better
  • they treat their suppliers better
  • their food is generally much better quality - and I don't want to eat rubbish, cheap food
  • they support charities that I support
  • their staff are properly trained and pleasant and polite

I have done cheaper shops before and I feel hard done by because the food's not as nice or I know the supplier's been screwed over or the chickens have lived miserable lives etc etc

You think people shop there for snobbish reasons. Really - why on earth would they?? I'm sick of people moaning and virtue signalling about what they think should happen but supporting businesses that make it less likely.

All this above, is why I too shop there, I like the ethos and ethics of the company.