Great Cheap Back to School Hunt (merged)

MSE_Martin

Schools nearly back

Time for the little darlings to go back. Thank heavens for some, tears for others. However either way they need stuff, and lots of it. The idea of this thread is what's the cheapest stuff possible and I want

On the back of that I thought I'd use the resources of the MoneySaving community to hunt for the cheapest Back to School essentials. Anything from pens and pads to rucksacks and uniforms. If you've spotted a cheap source please click reply to post.

A place to start

Shopping price comparison website Pricerunner* has done own comparison. This is only online and while it covers many retailters, it won't always be the cheapest. However its a good place to benchmark prices. I've included its results below.

BALLPOINT PENS
Bic Fine Ballpen, 20 pack
Lowest price: £3.84 (Ryman)
Highest price: £5.79 (Staples)

Papermate Comfortmate Medium Ball Pens, 4 pack
Lowest price: £2.79 (Ryman)
Highest price: £4.99(Staples)

HIGHLIGHTERS
Highlighter Assorted Pkd 4
Lowest price: £1.04 (Euroffice)
Highest price: £2.79(Staples)

PENCIL CASE
Pencil Case
Lowest price: £3.00 (Hargreaves)
Highest price: £3.98 (Office World)

NOTEPAD
A4 Hardback Notebooks

Lowest price: £3.99 (Ryman)
Highest price: £6.49(Staples)


CALCULATOR
Sharp EL520WB Scientific Calculator
2 Formula memories, Algebraic substitution, Solution of linear simultaneous equations with three unknowns, Normal probability calculations, Linear, Quadratic, Exponential, Logarithmic, Power and Inverse, Twin Power, 326 Functions, A-Level+
Lowest price: £7.01 (WH Smiths)
Highest price: £9.99(Ryman)

Casio FX-83MS-S Scientific Calculator
Ideal for key stages 3 and 4, TwinLine 10 digit display shows sum and answer, Battery power, 229 functions, S-VPAM logic, Slide on plastic case
Lowest price: £5.99 (WH Smith)
Highest price: £6.99 (Ryman)

BACKPACK
Targus Notebook Backpack
Lowest price: £18.75 (Dell)
Highest price: £29.95 (Laptopsdirect

Targus Campus Backpack
Lowest price: £25.00(Dell)
Highest price: £34.99 (Staples)

SCHOOL UNIFORMS
Girls knitted cardigan
Lowest price: £6.00 (George at Asda)
Highest price: £9.95 (schooluniformsonline.co.uk)

Girls 100% cotton skirt
Lowest price: £3.50 (George at Asda)
Highest price: £9.95 (schooluniformsonline.co.uk)

Girls Trousers
Lowest price: £8.99 (lxdirect.com)
Highest price: £17.95 (schooluniformsonline.co.uk)

Girls Demo "Zula" Punch Detail Shoes
Lowest price: £12.99 (lxdirect.com)
Highest price: £15.00 (littlewoods-online.com)

Girls Clarks “A-Grade” Shoes
Lowest price: £27.00 (clarks.co.uk)
Highest price: £28.00 (shoesdirect.co.uk)

Boys 100% cotton shirt
Lowest price: £3.00 (George at Asda)
Highest price: £8.50 (schooluniformsonline.co.uk)

Boys V-neck knitted jumper
Lowest price: £6.00 (George at Asda)
Highest price: £9.50 (schoolyard.co.uk)

Boys Elasticated Back Trousers
Lowest price: £4.00 (George at Asda)
Highest price: £8.40 (schoolyard.co.uk)

Boys Blazer
Lowest price: £12.99 (lxdirect.com)
Highest price: £19.99 (schooluniform247.co.uk)

Boys Kickers Zero Tie Shoes
Lowest price: £36.00 (choiceforyou.co.uk)
Highest price: £45.00 (abcaz.co.uk)

Boys Adidas Superstar Training Shoes
Lowest price: £29.00 (lxdirect.com)
Highest price: £32.00 (choiceforyou.co.uk)


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divadee

I have to say that Asda has been great for Little Miss Divadee's school stuff for the past 4 years, cheapest around and washes very well.

Just got her pencil case and pens etc... from woolworths and whsmith, as woolworths i think was 3 for 2 and whsmith is half price.

princessmoneysaver

I got my daughter a pack of 2 short sleeved girl's white polo shirts for £3, instead of pack price of £4 (25% Off all Back To School Items) at Sainsbury's. Her's was Age 8, but I think the smaller sizes were cheaper & they had boys too plus other school clothes - trousers, skirts, dresses, blouses.

Also, for top brand but cheap stationery try Poundland. I pack of 4 top brand (Sorry can't remember which off hand but will check next time I'm in town) hightlighter pens for £1.

Yvonne

mountainofdebt

Well normally my son would have had a complete new uniform but being a good MSEr I've decided that as he only uses it for the winter months, his rugby shirt can be used again this year as can his other PE shirt and shorts, he's got his school jumpers already (bought too bigger a size last year) and he can wear his school coat again this year.

So all I need is his t-shirts (have to have the school badge unfortunately!) a pair of trousers, and a pair of shoes!!!

elliealfie

HI,

https://www.thingimijigs.co.uk have got quite a few bits here (looked as I needed pink dresses and someone on another thread recommended them)

these prices I have just checked back on are before postage, but still work out very cheap if you get a few bits as the postage is not a lot and is on total price

school skirt £4.99
3pk knee high socks £3.99
Dress £6.50 - not the cheapest but if you need unusual colours then you wont get cheaper
Pinafore £6.50
Pencil set £2.99 (includes case, pencil etc)

I also bought tights and knee high socks as they were good prices, too many to note

Bennifred

I bought a couple of backpacks at SportSoccer (or do I mean SoccerSport? :rolleyes: ) in their closing down sale for about £5 - I have paid about £18 -£20 for the same ones previously.
(Apparently they will be re-opening as "Sportworld"!!) so big changes there, then.

skylight

Always do WILKINSONS for the stationary. Pens packs of 10 for 49p - sharpeners/rubbers 9p each A4 pads 80p

The eldest HAVE to have specific types of uniform with logos on (the PE kit cost £30 for 3 items!). The youngest at school is supposed to have a logo'd jumper at £9.99. As the smallest size is too big, MATALAN is great for her, got her 2 x cardigans for £2.50 each!

Shoes are still a problem though!!!

lyns_2

Boot School uniform is half price
Polo shirts white pack of 2 both boys and girls £2.50
Trousers boys grey £2.50/£3.00
trousers girls grey £3.50
skirts 2 types grey £2.50/£3.00
All only go up to a size 9-10

Edinburghlass_2

Too late for us, daughter goes back to school tomorrow :j

PEACHYS

Bought from a cheapie shop called ETHEL AUSTIN

I picked up some girls plain Navy (slightly bootleg shape)trousers yesterday,they were the stretchy kind...

They were age 10/11 and were £3.00 a pair but they look alright for the price and they only last a max of 3 months with my girl anyway!!

Also plimsoles were £1.75 a pair.

Hope this helps some money saver out there.. :j

jo--king_3

tescos is cheap 3.50 for three polo shirts also have socks skirts trousers .