Online grocery minimum spend

Februarycat

bundly wrote: »

Jackie O wrote: "She has cut her food bill by almost a third, as online its just too easy to overspend..."

I find the exact opposite. Isn't that funny? I find that when I am in the shop I am tempted by the sights and smells of things that I never intended to buy, for example cream cakes, pizza, multipacks of chocolate on special offer. I also often impulse-buy non-grocery household goods like kitchen implements.

Online I bring up my usual shopping list and just repeat it, then do a specific search for anything else. I don't "browse" the aisles like I would inside the shop, so I am not tempted by things I don't really need.

The increase in the cost of shopping in-store is only slightly offset by buying a few things in the "short-date reduced" section, but I often find myself buying stuff that I would not normally buy, just because it's reduced!

For me, shopping inside the supermarket is bad for my waistline AND my purse!

One final observation. If something with a long life (rice, canned tuna, or frozen fish, for example) is on half price offer, if I shop online I'll buy loads of it to save money long term, knowing the deliveryman will carry it all for me. But if I know I have to carry it home on the bus, I would not buy much of it, and would miss out on the reduction.

I agree, I spend less doing my food shop online than in store, when I do it online I can see the total adding up and if it gets above my budget I take a few things out, if I was in store I would be putting extra items in and not know what I was spending till I got to the till.

frascati

I too have written to the CEO regarding changing the terms mid contract, although I doubt the emails get through to him. Part of my message shows the relevant paragraph from their terms and conditions.

"Having spoken to a customer services representative and a manager Tesco seems to think it is good enough to offer a partial refund of my annual fee and point me in the direction of one of the terms and conditions that basically says that you can change the terms and conditions any time you like.

11. Changes to these terms and conditions
We reserve the right to make changes to these terms and conditions, to Delivery Saver, Membership and Membership Fees from time to time by updating these terms and conditions on the website. We will generally also send you an email to advise you of any changes. Your continued Membership will be taken as your acceptance of any changes that we make. If you do not agree to any such change, you should cancel your Membership.

I would maintain that in this day and age this would be deemed to be an "unfair and unreasonable" term that makes a mockery of having terms and conditions. It is very one-sided in that Tesco can change any of the terms at any time. "

I find it amazing that when Tesco needs to be wooing customers back it decides to treat those that are signed up for weekly deliveries so shabbily. The poor customer services managers that are having to deal with our complaints are having a torrid time.
I have just received the same bland reply from the CEO's office that Rudess posted.

jcb2

Taking a look at the help pages on Tesco's website, it does seem that this is a general increase for all online grocery shopping.

I quote from Help > Payment & Checkout

What is the minimum basket charge?The minimum basket charge is a £4 charge that's added to all online orders where the basket value* is under £25. It only applies if your basket total is under £25 when you complete your online checkout. If you come back to amend your order, the minimum basket charge will only remain / be added if your basket is still under, or has fallen under £25 when you re-submit your order. Please note minimum basket spend will change to £40 from 23rd July 2015.
It would now seem that Asda is the only delivery service with a £25 minimum. I wouldn't be surprised if they increased now to bring themselves into line with Sainsbury and Ocado, and of course Tesco.

Tesco have changed the system a number of times over the years. When I first used it they were charging £5 for every slot and the slots were 2 hours duration. Asda slots are still 2 hours (here at least). The delivery saver scheme has changed several times, like adding the mid-week scheme. I think we can only expect more changes in the future as they try to make the system pay and make a profit overall. Right now the supermarket business is very competitive.

I currently use Tesco mostly and substitute an Asda order about once a month. I'll consider going to each shop alternately if Asda keep their £25 minimum.

John

alanq

jcb2 wrote: »

It would now seem that Asda is the only delivery service with a £25 minimum.

As has previously mentioned it depends where you live.

ASDA FAQs say "
Is there a minimum order amount? The minimum order amount is £25 for the majority of our stores. This does however vary in certain parts of the country and will be displayed once you log in to your account."

I and some other MSE forum members live in areas where the minimum is £40.

ashrafaf

i spend about 50£

Former_MSE_Paloma

Tesco shoppers have been left furious after it announced it will add a £4 charge to all grocery deliveries under £40...

Read the full story:

Tesco hikes minimum spend to avoid delivery surcharge




Click reply below to discuss. If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply. If you aren’t sure how it all works, read our New to Forum? Intro Guide.

alanq

The above article erroneously repeats the false claim that ASDA has a minimum order of £25 for one-off orders. There is a minimum order of £40 in some areas including my own.

surfsister

vote with your purse and stop shopping online there! think they make a massive loss on online shopping with all its inherent costs. still hate tescos anyway!

alanq

My complaint to Customer Services has produced a standard response that ignores the specific points I raised.

"Thank you for your email regarding the recent change in our minimum basket charge.I am very sorry that you’re unhappy the minimum basket charge has increased to £40, therefore I’d like to explain the reasons why we’ve made the change.

We’ve taken this decision after much consideration as it falls in line with the shopping habits of the majority of our online customers. We want to be able to continue offering customers good deals for online shopping, including £1 one hour delivery slots and Click & Collect. Of course, we understand that this may impact how you shop with us from now on, but I want to assure you that all the great savings you’re eligible for as a Delivery Saver customer remain the same.

There's no need to worry if your order falls below £40 due to substitutions or unavailable items, you will not be charged the minimum basket surcharge.

As a Delivery Saver customer, you're already benefiting from great savings on your regular grocery deliveries and you're also protected by our Delivery Saver guarantee. This ensures that you'll never pay more on Delivery Saver than you would on regular delivery charges.

I would like to add that this has been a carefully considered decision and we understand the inconvenience this might cause to some. By us increasing the threshold it allows us to continue offering convenient delivery services to our online grocery customers including the delivery to your doorstep as well as click and collect.

Thank you for taking the time to contact us with your feedback. Your comments have been fully noted for future consideration.

Kind regards"

I am not interested in the reasons that Tesco has made changes or the shopping habits of the majority of customers. We have a agreement and Tesco is planning on breaking it.

Credit-Crunched

Another reason not to shop in that hell hole!