Online Shopping - Delivery Charges??

Emsky*

Hi Everyone,

This week I'm making a conscious effort to meal plan, but I think it might be easier for me to buy the food online as when I'm in the shop I tend to go and buy all sorts.

Is it cost effective for me to order online with the delivery charges or would it be cheaper for me to go into the shop myself?

Thanks.:D

Fruball

I have pondered this one too and really it depends on how you shop...

So, if you are someone who gets loads of whoopsies (some people are luckier than others, I find) then it might still be best for you to go to the shops....but

If, like me, you end up with all sorts of things you didn't plan to buy, just because they took your fancy at the time, then online is definately better, especially if you can have it delivered at times where its cheaper. Rates vary depending on day/time of the week.

When I do an online shop, I usually end up with a decent amount of useable food that will easily last a week... When I go myself, I end up going back a few days later...

Thanks for reminding me! I think I am going to have to go back to online shopping!!!

Linda32

I agree with Frugal, it depends on how you shop.

Me - I'm a nightmare for the supermarkets, as I march around to various points, depending on whats on my list. I do tend to look at offers but only if its something I actually want.

Someone on here - I think its GreyQueen, sorry if I'm wrong has a signature saying "Every pound is a prisoner" :T I oftern think of that:T

So if I was to do online shopping I would be paying more. Also I'm lucky in that I have about 4 supermarkets to chose from, all no more that about 4 miles away. So can't factor in petrol or time really. - Well unless you go to Tesco on a Saturday morning :eek:


On the onther hand if you do buy extras to your list and its generally more than £4.00 worth then online is probably worth it.

Emsky*

Thanks Frugal!" :T

Do you know when the cheapest time is for deliveries?

adelight

Delivery charges can be as low as £2 or £3 (with most i believe this is in the evening after 7pm) which is probably about the cost of petrol or a bus ticket but with less hassle Also, you can often take advantage of more offers as often good offers are sold out on the shelves or your local doesn't have everything in stock, but with deliveries they seem to have more in stock and you can get some good substitutes ie you buy some on offer tomatoes but they're out of stock so they give you some more expensive brand tomatoes for the same price. You don't get this in store and you can reject the sub if you don't like it.
You can also stock up! I can't carry loads of tins so my occasional online shop will see me buy 40+ tins!

tootoo

I nearly always shop online as the cost of petrol compared to delivery charge (even the highest charge) is cheaper due to where I live.
I also find it easier as I can look at what I've spent and then amend if I want the charge down. I'm also stricter online!

squeaky

Take a look here:- Discount Codes 'n Vouchers

There are often links for vouchers covering delivery charges, and/or first time shopper discounts.

There's also a thread for printable discount vouchers: Updated Printable Money off Coupons & Policies Thread 25

As for "Every pound is a prisoner" I like that one too So vouchers help keep your pounds behind bars

nodwah

I find that Asda's delivery charge is £3 for mid afternoon time slots Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and it gets dearer in the evenings.

Is it worth saying the Sainsbury's delivery is free if you spend over £100 and Waitrose is free if over £50 ( not the most money saving supermarkets tho eh? :eek:)

FairyPrincessk

I agree it has to do with how you shop. While I do try to make a foray into the big supermarkets to check the whoopsie piles when I can, I also do an online shop and a weekly Aldi run. My online shops tend to be every two months or so. I stock up on flour, whatever toilet roll is one offer, bulk buy tins that are cheaper or tins I can't get at Aldi and things like that. I then usually have enough for free delivery if I'm doing it at Oc*do, or I get a cheap delivery slot if I'm doing it through A, S, or T.

For fruit and veg and milk OH and I make a weekly trip to Aldi based on the specific things we need for that week's meal plan (we plan the week right before, check the cupboards etc).

This means I can buy staples in bulk which usually works out cheaper and not have to worry about carrying them. It also means I can top up things I use regularly that aren't available at A*di, like bicarb or vanilla etc. without doing a lot of impulse buying. I know approximately how much my order should cost and approximately how much my Aldi run should be so that I stick to my budget over all. That said, there are high weeks and low weeks so I try not to stress over it too much. Stocking up with the big shop also means that if I'm running low on money I have more resources to call on for an improvised week or two with a much smaller A*ldi shop.

I guess that sounds a little complicated but it works for us.

Fruball

I have just booked a slot between 8-10pm and it was £3 - that was with Mr T - I have always used them for online shopping and have always found them really good

I think between 2-4pm is cheaper too - mostly because us Mums are on the school run I would imagine. Saturdays are def more expensive.

When you register it will give you a chance at the beginning to "Book Slot" so you can see a couple of weeks worth of dates/times and prices.

Hope that helps

imogen-p

I shop online once every four weeks for heavy items - cans of tomatoes and beans, bags of pasta, rice, flour etc and things with a long shelf life - like soy milk for my son, as I don't have a car. So the £3 or so delivery charge works out at less than a £ a week.

Then I shop once a week at the market for meat, fruit and veg which I find to be cheaper than the supermarket (I'm reliant on buses so rarely get to the supermarkets at the right time for whoopsied things.)