Oh just BOGOF would you! (Safeway)

Member Name: Boonoiy

Product:	Safeway
Date:	04/04/02 (312 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Deals on a weekly basis, Clean and well stocked, Generally helpful staff

Disadvantages: Now and again there's something to moan about - staff-wise

So we're off again. Time to write about a Supermarket that's a little more, well, upmarket than my old favourite Netto.

1st and foremost, I sure you've all heard about Safeways so I'll spare you all the "Where to find" info but, for those who are non-UK residents - these supermarkets are nationwide with a capital N! There's one on just about every high street in the country so you'll never really miss them.

Safeway is really a middle-of-the-range supermarket, a step up from the Aldi or Netto stores but a step away from the Waitrose and Marks and Spencers foodhalls, you'll find quite a few offers available with their weekly promotions and you'll genmerally pick up a bargain or two while you're there.

So, what do do go into? Lat's haqve a look-see...

Decor and layout:
-----------------

The supermarkets are very distinctive, you'll note straight away their striking red and green signs and (as a rule) flags flying outside the stores. The usual lino on the floors and the big banners telling you what is available in each aisle - again Red and Green. Generally very clean and well displayed, you'll not often find dirty floors or unstocked shelves as you go round.

The layout of the stores is really standard as far as supermarkets go. Begin with a HUGE display of whatever happens to be their main offer of the week to start you off, then onto the Fruit and Veg, through aisles of meat, fish, cheeses etc and with a deli at the back of the store, some of the larger stores (like mine in Wood Green) have roast chickens and ham shanks all hot and delicious for you and VERY extensive booze aisles (the important ones).

Staff:
------

Now this is one of the most important things to me, if I'm shopping (and I'm not the best shopper as far as being patient and calm goes) and I ask for some help I'd rather be met with a smile and, wel
l, some help than a grunt and a nod in the general direction of whatever I was looking for. I've got to say that Safeway can be hit and miss in this respect in my experience.

These jobs aren't the greatest in the world, I wouldn't like to do it and I'd probably be misetrable if I did but I'd at least make an effort. Gerunting and nodding is quite common (especially since the recent re-design of the Wood Green store) but you do get, on most occasions, a fair level of politeness and help when it's needed.

Checkout staff are good - the busier stores need to have good staff here to keep things moving and I've never been disappointed with the speed or efficiency of service. Just in case anyone from Safeways reads this - IF I WANTED CASHBACK I'D ASK FOR IT! Honestly, it's as bad as hearing "Do you want fries with that"

Still, overall a firm 7.5 out of 10 for staff helpfulness and politeness.

Food, drink, prices etc:
------------------------

Well, there's a very wide range of stuff on offer, if you've been to one supermarket you've been to them all as far as stock goes so I can't really harp on too much about the range (and let's face it, nobody wants to see a full list of available goods here do they now?). Most things can be bought with either a "brand" name or the Safeway brand, from beans to lasagnas there's a cheaper alternative in the Safeway's own category.

Prices - well, if you stick to their own brands and get in later in the day you'll find everything you need is very cheap - the usual knock downs as the day goes on and a "slight damage" table where you can buy dented tins of tomatoes for 2p. Well, whatever floats your boat. The prices are good (not as cheap as Netto but then again not as dear as Waitrose) and you'll generally get a full week's shop done for about £35 (for a couple that is, no
t to be tried by the families of 6).

BOGOF:
------

If you live near to a store (and let's face it, just about everyone does) you'll be familiar with the Safeway deals list that comes through the door weekly anmd sits amongst the pizza menus, offers to buy your house and charity shop "fill-me" bags, a glossy A3 sheet of paper, lavishly decorated with pictrures of the coming week's offers - bright and jolly, this keeps you in control of the offers you're off to buy. I find myself getting just a little excited when the new one comes through and I can see what's "On Special" this week.

Buy One Get One Frees abound, usually on stuff like cat food (big favourite bargain of my boss), mince (ooooh, cottage pie) and various tinned foods. There are great deals on all kinds of foods and your sheet will have a booze pull-out too.

Overall:
--------

Your shopping experience weill be harrowing wherever you go, trying to control one of the "family" of trollies, trying to stop yourself snapping as your other half sugests Mild chedder again (God! Mild chedder - where's that Room 101 when you need it? IT'S JUST PLASTIC, WHY CAN'T YOU REALISE THIS YOU BLOODY FOOLS?) and keeping the kids from attacking the sweets aisle!

The deals in Safeway and the good service make your shopping nightmare njust that bit more bareable. I'm a loyal customer by now and do my weekly shop there. The deals are good and there's always somethuing that we'll find useful. Clean, friendly and a good range of food and whatnot.

All in all I've found no cause for concern in Safeway and will continue to shop there for the forseeable future.

Summary: