Free Delivery hack

Tony_Dudley

This is more of a long term plan than a quick hit saving and will 'cost' initially. 
Every few months I spend about £30 on household goods (cleaning items and some food items) from an online 'eco' retailer (I'd rather not name them directly as I don't want them to close the loophole).
Orders are carriage paid for over £50, or £4.95 carriage for under £50.
I don't want to spend more money than I need (I could order more, less often but that doesn't really suit my needs, or my storage space).
The Hack - this time I added £20 in gift vouchers to the order, took me over the £50 and I saved £4.95.
Yes I spent £20 to save £5, but I'll have the vouchers - so net cost is £15, but with £20 of vouchers in my hand.
If I stop there, I've saved £4.95 (as I'll be placing another order anyway and can use the vouchers then).
However  - Next order I use the vouchers to part pay for that order and order more vouchers to make up to the £50 free delivery threshold.
So my £30 order will 'cost' me £30 but with free delivery saving £4.95.
in four orders (about 6 months for me) I'll have recouped my initial 'investment' and then save £4.95 on every order after that.
and of course I put it through quidco and got 3.75% return from them too (including the value of the vouchers....).  
Might be other online retailers with the same loophole.
Only worthwhile on retailers you use regularly and if you have the spare money for the initial 'investment'.