Avoiding supermarkets; what are the alternatives?

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Avoiding supermarkets; what are the alternatives?
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Mrs R

Joined: 15 Aug 2008
Posts: 7202

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 10 5:52 pm Post subject:

sfolati wrote:

Dances With Cows wrote:

I'm not really seeing what makes them any different to the rest of us?

The fact that you live on a blooming great farm does give you a few more options than someone in a flat.

I didn't just sprout out of the ground here you know

I grew up dirt poor in two bed terrace in a northern hill town; had no contact with farming beyond days out in the countryside. I went on to uni in salford, and then began work in the city centre of manchester as a building manager. I was then more or less out of work for 18 months and didn't qualify for benefits at any point, living in the bumhole of lincolnshire - gainsborough. Throughout, I ate well - I have never been poorer than at Rosewood, but all it's taught me is how crap supermarkets are for anyone on a real budget.

We have to buy our meat from the business. Not poultry, they are my hobby right now, but I obviously pay their upkeep and I'm using this time to try to put poultry on the rosewood menu, so it'll be available at the same sensible rate the rets of our meat is.

Last edited by Mrs R on Wed Dec 22, 10 5:54 pm; edited 1 time in total

Katieowl

Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Posts: 4317
Location: West Wales

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 10 5:53 pm Post subject:
Bog roll is a decadent western luxury ...many people live without it I know someone on the internet (not DS'rs) who have opted to give up TP, both she and her OH do so, they have a bucket with wash clothes (flannels I guess we call them - americanisms are catching) but it's just the two of them, no kids. They have 'health issues' and they find this option better. And moneysaving.... Kate

bernie-woman

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 7824
Location: shropshire

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 10 5:55 pm Post subject:
We struggle with getting stuff like loo roll, coffee etc.. from anywhere other than a supermarket - we have an excellent butcher but can't get free range gammon or bacon from him so get those from the supermarket too

marigold

Joined: 02 Sep 2005
Posts: 12458
Location: West Sussex

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 10 6:01 pm Post subject:
I'm quite happy to shop at supermarkets, but apart from own-brand stuff I can't think of anything they sell that can't be bought from a non-supermarket shop if you look around. Bog roll costs a fortune at the local corner shop, but the choice is there.

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 10 6:02 pm Post subject:

Jamanda wrote:

Hmm. If you live in a city you generally have more shopping options than living in a field in the middle of no-where. Nat and Rob might be OK for meat, but they still need veg and bog roll.

Yeah, I've tried wiping my bum on a slice of ham but it just doesn't cut the mustard.

Nell Merionwen

Joined: 02 Jun 2008
Posts: 16300
Location: Beautiful Derbyshire

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 10 6:03 pm Post subject:

Rob R wrote:

Jamanda wrote:

Hmm. If you live in a city you generally have more shopping options than living in a field in the middle of no-where. Nat and Rob might be OK for meat, but they still need veg and bog roll.

Yeah, I've tried wiping my bum on a slice of ham but it just doesn't cut the mustard.

are we going to sink back into the world of swan's necks?

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 10 6:12 pm Post subject: Re: Avoiding supermarkets; what are the alternatives?

Treacodactyl wrote:

Rob R wrote:

As discussed here there are many reasons we may want to boycott supermarkets and we all know (well, nearly all) how easy it is to buy meat direct from the producer, but what about all those essentials that even the most determined downsizer finds themselves popping into the supermarket to buy? How can we do without/find alternative sources/cut the cost (cost savings can help fund those products that it really is worth/necessary paying more for). Contributions on both sides (asking and answering) are most welcome...

Is it easy to buy direct from the producer? I only eat a small amount of meat, don't want to drive large distances and not found delivery companies that reliable so it's much easier picking it up from the supermarket for me.

Yes, in the sense that you only have to look on the internet and there are loads of producers willing to sell you some, whereas branded goods give you fewer options for sourcing them.

We buy toilet rolls in bulk from a wholesaler too but we have exactly the same issue of storage for buying in quantity as you do for meat. But this thread is for practical solutions for people who want to avoid supermarkets, not people who are fine with them or debating the underlying issues, else I wouldn't have bothered starting a new thread.

Katieowl

Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Posts: 4317
Location: West Wales

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 10 6:22 pm Post subject: Re: Avoiding supermarkets; what are the alternatives?

Rob R wrote:

We buy toilet rolls in bulk from a wholesaler too but we have exactly the same issue of storage for buying in quantity as you do for meat. But this thread is for practical solutions for people who want to avoid supermarkets, not people who are fine with them or debating the underlying issues, else I wouldn't have bothered starting a new thread.

So where do you buy them from Rob? Do they work out cheaper?
I've never had much joy with finding a cheap supplier of loo roll other than the supermarket.

I'd be happy to buy most stuff bulk TBH if it bought the price down.

Kate

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 10 6:24 pm Post subject:
Booker, and yes very much cheaper, particularly if you factor in the fuel and time cost of going to a shop.

Katieowl

Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Posts: 4317
Location: West Wales

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 10 6:25 pm Post subject:
Mind you it just occurred to me, that me looking for a bulk supplier of X Y or Z doesn't really keep small independant high street shops going either does it Kate

Duckhead

Joined: 24 Oct 2009
Posts: 2069
Location: Up the hill, Italy

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 10 6:29 pm Post subject: Re: Avoiding supermarkets; what are the alternatives?

Rob R wrote:

But this thread is for practical solutions for people who want to avoid supermarkets, not people who are fine with them or debating the underlying issues, else I wouldn't have bothered starting a new thread.

Sorry, that'll be me getting it wrong again, clueless at times

Bringing back the barter system would help a lot.

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 10 6:30 pm Post subject:
It does for me because the savings I make in one area are recycled in other products from the local Deli, butchers, post office and garage. If I was buying toilet rolls at the Spar I wouldn't be able to afford other 'luxuries' (including meat). Edit: in response to Katieowl.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 10 6:31 pm Post subject: Re: Avoiding supermarkets; what are the alternatives?

Rob R wrote:

Treacodactyl wrote:

Rob R wrote:

If you have the same issues with toilet roll than bulk meat then I suggest you stop keeping it in the freezer.

I'd also like practical suggestions for buying small quantities of meat where you don't have a local butcher and direct delivery isn't suitable for various reasons.

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 10 6:33 pm Post subject: Re: Avoiding supermarkets; what are the alternatives?

sfolati wrote:

Bringing back the barter system would help a lot.

That's one thing I do like about small shops - they'll knock a few pence off if you haven't got enough money, whereas supermarkets make you put something back.

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 10 6:34 pm Post subject: Re: Avoiding supermarkets; what are the alternatives?

Treacodactyl wrote:

If you have the same issues with toilet roll than bulk meat then I suggest you stop keeping it in the freezer.

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