FUMING Sainsbury’s customers are threatening to CANCEL their accounts now that the supermarket plans to hike online order fees.
Sainsbury’s was blasted earlier in the week for raising its annual delivery pass rates by a wallet-busting 25%, all the while customers battle a cost of living crisis.
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The upfront annual fee – popular with families and vulnerable shoppers including the elderly – has soared from £30 in 2021 to £40 for customers looking to renew this year.
Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s annual “anytime delivery pass“ is rising from £60 to £80.
But shoppers aren’t happy, and they are now vowing to suspend their accounts all together over the abrupt change.
On Twitter one said: Never will I order a Sainsbury’s shop online ever again, it’s not only the most expensive delivery, but last minute and before I can cancel, half of the shopping goes missing.”
“The cheek if it,” another said, “They’ve already put their prices up more than other supermarkets.”
A third confirmed: “Along with many others I will be closing my account.”
While another customer said: A pensioner friend of mine is very upset at Sainsbury’s hiking the fee for its annual delivery pass.”
But disgruntled shoppers wouldn’t be the only ones to slam the supermarket for its new policy.
Consumer experts have criticised the store for the price hikes too, especially since they will hit vulnerable shoppers who rely on groceries being delivered to their doors, most.
Martyn James at Resolver, said to The Sun once the news broke: “As the cost-of-living crisis bites, supermarkets need to ensure that people they already have on their ‘vulnerable’ lists don’t pay additional fees or charges.
“Every last penny counts at the moment and even £10 can mean the difference between going without heating for a week or not.”
The move comes as inflation has hit a 30-year high of 7%, putting further pressure on family finances.
Sainsbury’s confirmed the price increases came in towards the end of last year.
A spokeswoman said: “We have updated our online groceries services so that we can offer simpler, more flexible ways to shop with us, while still offering great value.”
How can I save money on my online food shop?
To help battle the hiked delivery fees you could look at other ways to reduce your online spend.
Consider collecting for example.
All of the major UK supermarkets offer you the option to collect your online shopping order, rather than have it delivered.
If you have a car and the supermarket isn’t too far away this could be a cheaper option – but remember to factor in your own fuel costs.
At Sainsbury’s it costs just 50p.
If you go through your order just before the cut off point, you might be able to axe things you have decided you don’t need too, to save a few extra pennies.
You’ll also be able to check if there are any new deals, discounts or promotions on items you want that could change the total you were previously set to pay.
At Sainsbury’s you can amend your order until 11pm the night before your slot.
You should check for substitutions too.
If the supermarket doesn’t have the item you asked for, they might substitute it for a different product.
But if you don’t want the swap, make sure you hand it back to the driver then you’ll get the amount knocked off your order saving you some more.
Sainsbury’s will send you a voucher for the difference which you can use on your next shop.
And don’t forget your loyalty card either.
Just because you’re not physically in the store, it doesn’t mean you can’t use your loyalty card if you have one – Sainsbury’s customers can still collect Nectar points online.
You will be able to attach the card to your online account to collect points and benefit from any discounts or offers you’re entitled to as well.
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Forget the delivery fees though, and you’ve been shopping at Tesco and Sainsbury’s wrong in the first place – it could be costing you £322 extra a year.
And even unpacking your delivery all wrong once it’s dropped off at the door could be costing you hundreds too.
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