Are Waitrose Any Good?

zappomatic

I used to work for Waitrose. Initially I was moaned at for taking too long to get a cage out, just like that! But you learn to get it done quickly, and properly. Unlike other supermarkets they don't use the outers, products go on shelves, not cardboard boxes so things can take a bit longer at first. And of course things have to look perfect! It was a very strict store, and not unknown for people to be sent upstairs to iron their shirt or have a shave if not up to scratch! I even remember once a female colleague being made to go and buy a pair of tights as she'd come in not wearing any. I think it's all worth it though. And I enjoyed my time there as everyone wanted to get their work done, there was very little dead weight (people not doing their job properly and making more work for others). We also got a very good and very cheap cooked lunch.

I still work for the Partnership, moving on to a John Lewis branch and now I'm at the head office.

sophistica

I have got a price book and I find that Wiaitrose is approximately twice the price of Lidl but great for end of the day bargains. Take a look at different times and see if you can shop for bargains 2-3 times a week to bring the costs down.

mrwibble

Waitrose is pitched at the top end of the market but really as many have said the prices are not unreasonable for many basic items.

The quality is great and you know that each and every item has been tested by them or that the producer has to agree strict standards.

Best bargains are 5:15 onwards in my experience - I hit the bakery and the meat shelves - superb quality meat with a couple of days life and reduced to quarter of its pack price.

A friend works for John Lewis in their head office in London and has the opportunity to stay at some John Lewis owned stately homes around the country for cheap hols. He used to be in Waitrose stores and was given the opportunity to move to JL as part of his development - many Waitrose shelf-stackers have moved onto senior jobs - they take personal development seriously apparently.

Horasio

I used to shop in Waitrose when I lived in England - a little dearer but good stuff

I really miss Waitrose as I live in Scotland

Zed42

Don't know where in Scotland you are ... but Waitrose have just announced 2 new stores opening in Edinburgh ....

novice_money_saver_2

I used to think Waitrose was the preserve of the posh and wealthy - but their reductions are so good that we don't spend too much more than we would in a mainstream supermarket.

Also, if you care about the way producers and growers are treated, then it has to be Waitrose. I have to say that it makes me feel a bit better about myself to think that I am buying "honestly priced" food rather than the cheapest possible food for which the large supermarket has stitched up the grower or producer.

NMS

shoperholicnot

novice_money_saver wrote:

I used to think Waitrose was the preserve of the posh and wealthy - but their reductions are so good that we don't spend too much more than we would in a mainstream supermarket.

Also, if you care about the way producers and growers are treated, then it has to be Waitrose. I have to say that it makes me feel a bit better about myself to think that I am buying "honestly priced" food rather than the cheapest possible food for which the large supermarket has stitched up the grower or producer.

NMS

Waitrose are good for reductions and general quality is good, although I suggest reading the labels as I was surprised to see that they still put Hydrogenated fats in their breads etc..I did expect better from them

larmy16

This is irrelevant to prices but I have noticed Waitrose are much slower with new technology. For instance they were still using press the price tills for ages after everyone went onto the beep scanner sytem.

Likewise they took donkeys to get the chip and pin system and then when they finally did, it went down for about two months. I am not sure if this just applies to my local branch though - not casting aspersions on the entire Waitrose stores.
PS. A friend of mine works in Waitrose and that one has Tuesday night as their bargain mark down night. It probably pays to ask one of the staff if they have a particular night for their clear outs.

billieboy_2

I don't know how I missed this thread! I love Waitrose. I've been shopping there for 18 years. The staff are friendly. I like their ethical approach to their suppliers and the fact that their meat and poultry is from British farms. I find them cheaper than a lot of superstores for a lot of things. I agree that it depends on what you buy but like someone in an earlier post said most Waitrose shoppers are buying fresh stuff. They do a lot of bogofs and three for twos as well. Also their Partnership (credit) Card is good as they give you vouchers to spend in Waitrose/John Lewis. I tend to buy what meat we have and fruit and veg at a local farm and do the rest of my shopping in Waitrose and get what I couldn't get at the farm at Waitrose.

competitionscafe

Zed42 wrote:

Don't know where in Scotland you are ... but Waitrose have just announced 2 new stores opening in Edinburgh ....

Excellent news - now I will have an alternative to my (awful) local Tescos even if it is a further 10 or 15 minutes walk. I try to use and support local shops (butchers, fishmongers, health food and fruit/veg shop) but it's good to have a decent alternative when you can't make it to a local shop (they all close at 6pm or earlier). The walk to Comely Bank will take me through Stockbridge anyway, so if I go early enough I can stock up at Herbies, The Store, etc on the way and then get any extras at Waitrose. By the way I am neither posh nor wealthy - I just like good food; although I can see why Waitrose would choose Comely Bank/Stockbridge and Morningside as the locations for their first Scottish stores.