What Value stuff should be avoided?

wannabe_a_mum

We're open to saving on anything and everything, but where possible, we try to buy BOGOF or 342 rather than the cheapest/value. Thats not to say we don't buy value though! I buy value on things such as: tinned tomatoes/ground pepper/coleslaw and potato salad type stuff (as we don't eat it that much and it tends to go off anyway!)...and the one thing that we always buy "Value or Smart Price" is bread! We love Morrisons "Bettabuy", closely followed by Somerfield Value (can't remember the range!). We've discovered that not all Value brands are the same though as we can't stand ASDA Smart Price Bread and Sainsbury's Value bread is questionable!!!!

What I wouldn't buy VALUE though is cosmetics/toiletries (bad experience as a teenager) and also sanitary products are a definite false economy!!!!

morganb

Deodorant ...

paddy's_mum

I will not buy cheap shoes or carpet. They are definitely an utterly false economy. I'm looking at 60, had a mother who insisted (boy, do I remember the rows when I wanted 'more fashionable'!) that her children had quality leather shoes. I have never had anything remotely resembling so much as a corn let alone bunions, scrunched toes etc. I've still got leather shoes and boots that I bought ten or more years ago and they are still going strong.

I have lost count of how many of my friends chose nylon, polypropelene or cheap carpets while I bought 80/20 wool carpet. The price difference was a few percent but my carpets far outlast theirs, despite visiting grandchildren, a pack of dogs etc and still clean up and look good.

Definitely worth spending good money on those two things. The years of extra use make it foolish to do anything else, in my view.

wannabe_a_mum

I agree - don't believe in cheap shoes - not worth the damage you do to your feet

lil_me

Cheap shoes definately, I learned that this year so went back when the shoe shop had buy 1 get 1 half price and bought myself hush puppies, ahhh, foot bliss!

Cream of Tomato soup, sorry, never managed to make it and anything else but Heinz just won't do!

Coffee definately, kids juices aswell as they contain much more water and are filled with food colourings etc rather than fruit and you end up needing to use more.

Cheap loo roll, I'd rather use sandpaper than some of the cheaper brands, you can get some cheap brands which are ok however.

Cheap meat, well, should I say poor quality, some things from the farm shop I use work out cheaper per kilo than 'Value' stuff. I'd rather use less than compromise on quality.

Caterina

I do economise like mad on so many things (clothes, outings, books etc.) but will not compromise on food quality - we buy as much organic as possible and even the only meat-eater of the family, my son, gets organic chicken breast (as he won't eat hardly any other meat and it is only bought as a treat).

I feel that supermarket prices and 'value' things are cheap here and now but the whole community (and the earth) pay a much higher, hidden price.

I know that it might sound a bit controversial and that not everybody is able to afford organic food, but this is what we do now, being able to do it. If my husband and I, say, were unemployed, I would probably have to make different choices.

Ah, I also avoid cheap knitting yarn *brrrrr* I mean cheap as in tacky, nylon-y stuff, not as in 'good quality tweed bought at a bargain price online'!

Caterina

angelavdavis

Eye tests - they are precious
Dentist - ditto
Shoes - ditto for feet too!
Knickers(!)
Meat

Penny-Pincher!!

Ours are:

Nescafe Instant(99p store)
Tetley Teabags (Makros when on special)
Heinz Tomato Soup (always buy on offer!)
Heinz Ketchup (always buy on offer!)
Heinz Baked Beans (4 for 99p)
HP Sauce (always on offer!)
Loo Rolls (Makros on special)
Toothpaste (mate buys from USA)
Deodrant (mate buys from USA)
Kitchen Rolls (Makros on special)
Bread-(only when reduced and frozen-Warburtons etc)
Washing Powder (Makros on special)
Comfort (Makros on special)
Cheddar (Has to be decent!)
Ham (Normally Tesco Finest or Sainsburys TTD when on offer/reduced and freeze)
Eggs-From Hens:D
Tuna-(Only like Waitrose one )
Butter-(Cant stand marg, but buy when on offer or reduced and now freeze)
Clinique Creams/Toner (use advantage posints or vouchers!)

Gosh...thats a long list:rotfl: ....Im not fussy really;)

PP
xx

Chollita

Cheap toilet paper, oh god, the horror of cheap toilet paper ...

Lily-Lu

culpepper wrote: »

Toothbrushes. The cheap ones (under a £1)are usually soft and bristles come out in your mouth.

I bought a cheap 4 pack a few months ago. One bristle got stuck on the back of my tongue, and made me heave.....Never again:rotfl: