Milkmen - They can be cheaper

BlondeHeadOn

Our milkman is wonderful! - Not that I ever see him/her, because they deliver about 5.00am-ish, but they are so reliable, and sell so many other items. As well as milk 3 days a week, we get bread, orange juice, compost, bird seed, barbeque meats, a turkey at Christmas (I kid you not!), and so much more. And I pay them every month by direct debit, so not even any 'Friday collection' to worry about.
Might not be as cheap as going to Tescos, but for the convenience factor for a busy family, it's brilliant!
:T

exlibris

We have just got a new fridge which has the door designed for supermarket plastic bottles. This means that there is a shelf less than in my old fridge so I can't get as many glass bottles in the door. I also keep opened juice cartons, mayo jars etc in the door so this lack of storeage is a problem.

We have solved this problem by saving some plastic bottles from our hols. (we have a caravan) and filling them with the milk from the milkman's bottles. This does mean that the milkbottles go back on the step immediately so they get recycled daily.

TOBRUK

I put the empty bottles out the night before the milkman comes, then he leaves the milk and takes away the empties.

Hermia

I'd buy from the milkman if he delivered earlier. I leave for work before he arrives so the milk will be on the doorstep all day so it will either get ruined in the sun or the local kids will smash the bottles.

pollys

I also buy from the milkman, he delivers 4 times a week at about 5.30am. I put the empties back out for him so no horrible plastic to take to the recycling depot and it keeps me out of the supermarket.

greentomato

Hi
Interesting to read this thread, as I have been debating whether or not to get a milk delivery. It wasn't an option before because I was out at work all day so the milk would have sat on the step and gone off, but now I'm a SAHM I'm thinking it might be a good idea.

Our local milkman is from Express Dairies (I live in London so no local farms nearby!) and for organic milk they charge 66p a pint. This seems quite expensive but I do like the idea getting it delivered rather than having to go to the supermarket and might save me time/petrol/impulse buys.??

TOBRUK

Go for it greentomato, I know some may think it's a luxury but just think of those horrible cold, wet winter months and don't want to leave the house it's great. You can always cancel it if you decide you don't want to carry on!

super41

We've recently started having milk delivered and I'm so pleased. We never run out anymore. I was always having to pop out and pick up a couple of pints at the supermarket and always ended up buying extra things.

Also the bottles are recyclable and now we have plastics etc collected for recycling I realised just how many of these empty cartons we were getting through. Anyway we get 7 pints a week and it works out at about £3.42 which I think is ok. He delivers about 4am so its always there in the morning.

Also I definitely think the milk tastes better - don't know whether this is wishful thinking!

So if you're thinking of getting a doorstep delivery why not give it a go, you can always cancel after a couple of weeks if you're not impressed.

Loadsabob

Really enjoying all your posts, and encouraged by how many people have milk delivered. I know someone locally who has a milkman (in fact, on the odd morning I've seen him deliver as I've left for work, so I could ask him outright). I think I'll look into it.

I don't believe milk SHOULD be cheap - we're conditioned to think everything should be cheaper and cheaper, and yet the savings we make buying milk in the supermarkets come directly out of the pockets of the milk producers - they're the ones struggling to make a profit, not Tesco et al. I know I'm preaching to the converted here!

So, I'd rather pay more and support a milk round. Thing is, I'd love to have glass bottles with foil tops, like when I was little, but I don't think I'll ever get that with organic milk...it's a shame!

TOBRUK

don't believe milk SHOULD be cheap - we're conditioned to think everything should be cheaper and cheaper, and yet the savings we make buying milk in the supermarkets come directly out of the pockets of the milk producers - they're the ones struggling to make a profit, not Tesco et al.

Nice one Loadsabob, most people who look for cheap milk (which is natural I know as people are trying to save money) but aren't thinking of the consequences.

The dairy farmers are finding it tough, and the supermarkets are importing milk. The way it's going, unless people start thinking (before it's too late), all our milk produce will be imported, and we won't have any dairy farmers left in our country.

Some dairy factories, cheese factories etc are closing and in rural areas where a lot of people (sometimes generations of families) rely on these places for work. Although we are trying to make savings, I do believe we should sometimes think of the bigger picture and help the local economy.

I shall be careful now as I step down from my soapbox!