End of free newspaper at Waitrose

pumpkin89

arnoldy said:

I resolved  to try and avoid Waitrose after they failed to pay back the rates relief money. 

They should have done the right thing and paid back the money to the public purse like many other supermarkets. They join Co-op & Marks in the ethical hall of shame for failing to pay back the money. The newspaper offer provides another reason to choose a Supermarket that didn't take public money.

In my view, it was unethical for any of the supermarkets to pay back the rates relief.  Fundamentally, companies should not have a choice in how much tax to pay.  Although in this case it can be viewed as positive, since tax is overpaid rather than underpaid, it's exactly the same mindset as tax avoidance.  You can be sure that the companies who made a public song and dance about repaying the rates relief will have engaged in "tax planning" elsewhere.

Kim_kim

I still miss the free coffee.
I’d take that over some complicated voucher system I have to log in for & select.  

PennyForThem_2

Kim_kim said:

I’d take that over some complicated voucher system I have to log in for & select.  

Yes, it isn't particularly intuitive.  (Look at how Nectar works in Sainsburys for a more intuitive system.)  

What I do - I don't like using my smart phone as I find its screen is small and I don't like phones:

1.  Log on to Waitrose on a laptop/PC, find 'My Offers' and select what I want (2 per week)

2. Downloaded the Waitrose app (GooglePlay) to my phone, logged on (same details as Waitrose website on laptop).

3. Went to 'View vouchers' tab - got the 2 I had selected to show on screen while using my own house internet, plus the free newspaper choice voucher.

4.  When ready to go shop make sure have this page showing - this is because I am paranoic about using mobile roaming data and most of you won't be so can just access app as you normally would.

5.  When shopped, and I self scan, I choose coupons on the self-scan checkout, then open my phone which shows the voucher(s) and I scan and heh presto money off bill.

BUT such a faff - nectar also does money off and does it in store when using your scanner which you have used to scan the bar code on your nectar card.  Thus when you pick an item with tailored 'money off for you' it comes off automatically (most of the time).  If it doesn't, nectar give you a voucher.

This may or may not help -  it was way too much faff to print off vouchers.

Clowance

Just had a first look. Vouchers were all 50p off for things I buy sometimes but I would not spend £40 to get a measly £1 off. Will only go to Waitrose in future for offers like the brined chicken for £3, but presumably they do not care as I was only an infrequent customer - but when I did go I spent £80 (to use money off voucher). 

PennyForThem_2

A voucher is one use only - so not that generous tbh.  I still get 'free' newspaper' but when that stops I will re-think my shopping venues.

scrummy-mummy

PennyForThem_2 said:

Kim_kim said:

I’d take that over some complicated voucher system I have to log in for & select.  

Yes, it isn't particularly intuitive.  (Look at how Nectar works in Sainsburys for a more intuitive system.)  

What I do - I don't like using my smart phone as I find its screen is small and I don't like phones:

1.  Log on to Waitrose on a laptop/PC, find 'My Offers' and select what I want (2 per week)

2. Downloaded the Waitrose app (GooglePlay) to my phone, logged on (same details as Waitrose website on laptop).

3. Went to 'View vouchers' tab - got the 2 I had selected to show on screen while using my own house internet, plus the free newspaper choice voucher.

4.  When ready to go shop make sure have this page showing - this is because I am paranoic about using mobile roaming data and most of you won't be so can just access app as you normally would.

5.  When shopped, and I self scan, I choose coupons on the self-scan checkout, then open my phone which shows the voucher(s) and I scan and heh presto money off bill.

BUT such a faff - nectar also does money off and does it in store when using your scanner which you have used to scan the bar code on your nectar card.  Thus when you pick an item with tailored 'money off for you' it comes off automatically (most of the time).  If it doesn't, nectar give you a voucher.

This may or may not help -  it was way too much faff to print off vouchers.

I do nearly the same, however, I screenshot the voucher so I if I hamfistedly close my browser, I can still access the voucher without having to use my data or store wi-fi.

GaleSF63

I only get deliveries, no instore shopping. I have been doing it for about 6 years, not just an occasional customer. However, because on this occasion there is a 3 week gap between orders, this is the message I get:

"You have no vouchers available right now

Either you have used all this week's vouchers or we need you to use your myWaitrose card more often so we can send you personalised vouchers.

We refresh your personalised vouchers every week so come back next Wednesday to check" 

 ETA I don't know, I really don't. Now I've had an email and offers have appeared!

One useful one as well - £1 off something that costs £1.70 normally.

astrata

I think the question is will the ending of the newspaper mean people will shop less at Waitrose? and for me the answer is a definite YES.

My nearest store is in a town over 15miles away, I visit the town about once a month and always make a detour to go to Waitrose to do a top up shop and pick up a free paper.

Psychologically I justify paying extra for everyday items and indulging in a few luxuries by telling myself I've got a free paper which I see as a little treat.

Waitrose can't/won't be competitive on price- I remember their Tesco price match which was quickly pulled. The free newspaper (and free coffee) offers marked it out as different.

My new offers - 50p off lentils (I buy once in a blue moon), 50p off dates (I buy at Christmas) or £1 off a bottle of wine I last bought when it was on offer are not going to entice me back.  A miserly 2 offers per week, a maximum of £1.50 off things I don't readily buy.

As a result of removing the newspaper offer there is no reason for me to shop there.

It would've have been better if the threshold for a free paper was increased to £20 (or £25 as the much smaller Booths Supermarket chain does).

I can't really see the point of anyone scanning a My Waitrose card unless they have an offer to use, meaning Waitrose will lose access to lots of free data telling them about shopping habits.

avanti79

Just wondering how many of us that are disappointed with the free newspaper offer ending will let Waitrose know.

Voting with our feet and shopping elsewhere won't necessarily register for a while, but emails to customer service would get the message across.

astrata

avanti79 said:

Just wondering how many of us that are disappointed with the free newspaper offer ending will let Waitrose know.

Voting with our feet and shopping elsewhere won't necessarily register for a while, but emails to customer service would get the message across.

That's a good point - I read the other day that John Lewis only received 19 complaints when it endede it's 'Never knowingly undersold' promise.