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Multi-save offers on fresh food in supermarkets

(51 Posts)
Desdemona Sat 02-May-26 09:40:17

I went shopping yesterday in my local supermarket and noticed that lots of their fresh food items had been put on 3 for 2 offers.

I know this suits some people but it doesn't suit me as I don't want to buy 3 of something in one go!

I know in the grand scheme of things it isn't important, but it winds me up. I don't like just buying one then, because I feel cheated.

Interested in your opinions.

Elless Sat 02-May-26 10:29:29

I agree, I was often tempted by these offers until I looked how much you are saving. Obviously if you're getting 3 for 2 you should consider it but sometimes it's 3 for £10 and you're only saving 50p.

Samsara1 Sat 02-May-26 10:57:14

Can some of these be frozen or cooked then frozen?

Basgetti Sat 02-May-26 10:58:38

They’re usually mix and match, not the same item.

Mollygo Sat 02-May-26 12:26:22

I like three for two if I can choose a mix, e.g. grapes, strawberries and pineapple or some other fruit combo, but it irritates me when the offer is there, but the options aren’t available.

Llamedos13 Sat 02-May-26 12:30:02

It’s the same in a clothing store I frequent, buy one sweater get the second for half price.I don’t want two of the same sweater.

keepingquiet Sat 02-May-26 13:02:32

I agree- it spoils my shopping. I try to find reduced single items but you have to be careful because they often mix things up to confuse you.

I like variety in my diet and although I live with my son I don't know what I would do with the third item.

I refuse to buy the three for two offers as they are a false economy and I don't like ready meals any way.

NannyPT Sat 02-May-26 13:32:07

It annoys me because I haven't the room in the kitchen to store 3 of something, also I usually only need one.

Charleygirl5 Sat 02-May-26 13:44:40

I live on my own so three boxes of grapes for the price of two are useless to me, I avoid them.

Jaxjacky Sat 02-May-26 13:58:31

If it’s a good deal and we wouldn’t use them/can’t be frozen, I’d give to family or friends.

MissAdventure Sat 02-May-26 14:23:43

Same for me.
Its very, very rare that it'll be 3 things I'll use up.

Allira Sat 02-May-26 15:02:56

I haven't seen many 3 for 2 offers lately, they seem to be overpriced items, eg fruit for £2.50 per packet, buy two for £4. You can't freeze all fruits.

If it's meat and/or fish, say 3 for £15 (used to be £12 not long ago) then yes, two can be frozen.

Albangirl14 Sat 02-May-26 15:09:22

I have complained to Waitrose about this and their reply was we have all sorts of offers for different size families . My point was that single or a couple do not eat 3 packs of grapes or ham for example. So I now don't buy one item from these offers but go elsewhere.

HelterSkelter1 Sat 02-May-26 15:16:04

Can you share with a neighbour or friend? Family? I agreen it isn't very fair and sometimes the saving isn't that great anyway.
I did this with tee shirts nn MS years back. 3 for 2 or similar and now have some tee shirts zi am fed up with.. never again. And the same with items from Boots. They take up space and I get fed up with the same stuff, but am reluctant to buy new as I still am using the old. Thry will outlast me!

V3ra Sat 02-May-26 18:03:39

Albangirl14

I have complained to Waitrose about this and their reply was we have all sorts of offers for different size families . My point was that single or a couple do not eat 3 packs of grapes or ham for example. So I now don't buy one item from these offers but go elsewhere.

I buy four packs of grapes at a time. We eat a lot of grapes between the two of us!

Waitrose is right, it's an offer to help their variety of customers. If it doesn't work for you, just buy what you do need 🤷🏻

MT62 Sat 02-May-26 18:20:37

I use to prefer ‘ buy one, get one free’ I think that has all stopped.

MT62 Sat 02-May-26 18:21:13

Sometimes it works out cheaper to buy individually

Doodledog Sat 02-May-26 18:39:49

I don't think it's 'unfair' to have bulk offers that not everyone wants, so long as you are able to buy singly if you prefer. the offers are there for those who do want them, and those who don't can decline.

Supermarkets have long ben criticised for having BOGOF offers on so-called 'junk food', so I think it's a good thing to encourage families to buy more fresh food.

Fruit can be made into puddings and frozen, and veg into soups and sauces for people who really won't use them up fresh.

Norah Sat 02-May-26 19:01:16

Doodledog

I don't think it's 'unfair' to have bulk offers that not everyone wants, so long as you are able to buy singly if you prefer. the offers are there for those who do want them, and those who don't can decline.

Supermarkets have long ben criticised for having BOGOF offers on so-called 'junk food', so I think it's a good thing to encourage families to buy more fresh food.

Fruit can be made into puddings and frozen, and veg into soups and sauces for people who really won't use them up fresh.

I agree.

Good offers we use for family meals, freeze, make soup.

Perhaps casseroles, but we're not keen on many casseroles.

Sarnia Sun 03-May-26 18:52:19

I cook only for me. I notice in Tesco that they no longer sell small potatoes singly, only in bags and that's too many for me.
My Tesco Clubcard points no longer come in handy £5 off coupons. The ones I received this week are £12 off if I spend over £80 on one shop. I don't, so feel I am missing out there too.

M0nica Sun 03-May-26 21:35:59

I hate, hate, hate all these promotions. Three for 2, buy one buy second half price, special price to loyalty card customers.

In my ideal world shops and services would have to simple price things and sell them at their given price, no messing around. Reductions for perishables within an agreed time from withdrawal time, OK, but other than that, nothing.

In fact, that is how I shop. I buy what i want in the uantities I want aand do not even notice special offers these days, or very rarely.

HelterSkelter1 Mon 04-May-26 10:53:23

Yes the Tesco money off coupons are no go8od to me. But the club card savings are good and I have done wwll with items like towels, sheets and duvets over the last year. We are srill using Tesco duvet covers which must be 15+years old. A little faded but still going strong.

However I really do not like the 3 for 2 etc offers and only buy what I want/need. There must be a lot of people who are finding the higher prices a struggle and I am grateful that I dont have to worry too much. Having said that I am still careful with what I buy.

MawsRosie Mon 04-May-26 11:54:24

Nobody is forced to «buy one get one half price» etc if you only want one.
But BOGOF offers can be useful for cupboard staples, frozen (or freezable) items . Also as happened to me when the DDs were students, I would buy the 3 for 2 or BOGOF and keep one for me and pass the «spares» on to the girls to subsidise their budgets.
So as I said, we are not obliged to take advantage of such offers and if we haven’t managed to rein in any shopping splurges by our advanced age, there’s probably not a lot of hopegrin

Norah Mon 04-May-26 12:08:20

MawsRosie

Nobody is forced to «buy one get one half price» etc if you only want one.
But BOGOF offers can be useful for cupboard staples, frozen (or freezable) items . Also as happened to me when the DDs were students, I would buy the 3 for 2 or BOGOF and keep one for me and pass the «spares» on to the girls to subsidise their budgets.
So as I said, we are not obliged to take advantage of such offers and if we haven’t managed to rein in any shopping splurges by our advanced age, there’s probably not a lot of hopegrin

I agree. I buy offers when I see on items we use.

We have family meals often, pass food to our AC and grown GC.

Nobody has to take offers - it's only an offer.

ViceVersa Mon 04-May-26 13:38:22

Norah

MawsRosie

Nobody is forced to «buy one get one half price» etc if you only want one.
But BOGOF offers can be useful for cupboard staples, frozen (or freezable) items . Also as happened to me when the DDs were students, I would buy the 3 for 2 or BOGOF and keep one for me and pass the «spares» on to the girls to subsidise their budgets.
So as I said, we are not obliged to take advantage of such offers and if we haven’t managed to rein in any shopping splurges by our advanced age, there’s probably not a lot of hopegrin

I agree. I buy offers when I see on items we use.

We have family meals often, pass food to our AC and grown GC.

Nobody has to take offers - it's only an offer.

Totally agree. I take advantage of any offers I can - you can invariably freeze anything you're not going to use at once. In these times when budgets are often stretched, it makes sense to take any deals like these when you can.