Shop around for quality and value (Asda)

Member Name: chrisc92

Product:	Asda
Date:	21/06/09 (11 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: They offer reasonable value

Disadvantages: Fresh produce is not always as fresh as it should be, overpriced

I first became aware of ASDA when they built a new store in Taunton when I was still at secondary school. I visited it a few times not long after it opened, but it certainly wasn't a store my dad would ever shop in - he preperred Sainsburys, M & S and Liptons.

My 1st wife and I used Asda a lot as it was the most convenient shop (about 1/4 mile from our house) and at the time seemed a cheap place to shop for everyday items like Heinz spagetti and baked beans. When we were relocated, I shopped at Safeway as they were closer, but I used to carry 8 or 9 carrier bags about a mile and it was a real struggle - and expensive.

When I passed my test, Asda became once again my chosen supermarket, but I learned that you really do need to shop around, especially as we used to get leaflets delivered almost weekly with bargains at other supermarkets.

With a family of 5, they certainly seemed to offer value for money, but that changed when I moved down to Plymouth. Almost overnight they were no longer the shop of choice and I found myself considering Tesco. I used to try to base my habits on any known offers I knew were around, and would go out around 8ish every Tuesday and Saturday to look for bargains. It got bad sometimes as there would be the odd customer standing directly by the reduced shelf with their hands partly grasping them before the sticker was applied, and you could see the evil glances as you went in for the kill!

Things change and after I seperated from my 2nd wife my partner and I started using Sainsburys. I was very sceptical because I had only ever known them as expensive, but I was surprised, their basics range for most products is fantastic value, and quality isn't bad. We still use Asda for the odd essentials like bread and milk when we're running out, but the quality isn't there - the shop is literally at the top of our road. Their fruit and veg is reasonable price, but the quality is not always good, and these days you really do take your chance with markeddown goods. I do however like their fresh baked bread.

I used to get an awful lot of offers there, but rarely do I see them have buy 1 get 1 free, or similar offers. They may have rolled back there prices - but does anyone really know where they have rolled them back to?

It seems at the moment that they have a conspiracy between all the big shops to keep prices high. What happens when we really can't afford their prices anymore? I know fuel has gone up, but they are deliberately making our lives difficult for that extra bit of profit.

I certainly will not use them the same way again

Summary: A shop that could be cheaper