Tesco Clubcard holders warned over shopping mistake that could mean you pay MORE
SHOPPERS have been warned against relying on Tesco Clubcard prices, as they might not always be the cheapest option.
Millions of shoppers have a Tesco Clubcard and it helps reduce your weekly shopping bill.
You get one point for every £1 you spend in-store and online, or one point for every £2 you spend on fuel.
Every 150 points is then turned into £1.50, and these points can be redeemed as vouchers towards other food shops, or for meals out in participating restaurants.
There are discounts on thousands of products and we previously found that shoppers can cut their bill in HALF by using the popular scheme.
But some shoppers have been questioning whether Clubcard prices are always a bargain.
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One customer posted a shocking discovery to Facebook group Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK - where she found not such a savvy deal.
She compared two toilet rolls, one with a Clubcard price and one without.
Both prices were the same - £8.50 - except the one without the Clubcard price had 24 rolls in the pack compared to the other, which had 16.
For example, the Andrex has 16 roles or 155 sheets equalling 2,480 in total, while the Velvet loo roll had 24 roles of 150 sheets and a total of 3,600.
She argued that shoppers would be getting more for their money by purchasing the non-Clubcard item.
She wrote: "Don’t let the Clubcard prices catch you out!
"Just because it’s on the Clubcard price doesn’t mean it works out better."
Other Facebook users were taking note of the discovery, with one posting: "I always work things out like this, a fab tip for those who don't!"
Another said: "These Clubcard prices are a load of bull since they came out!"
And one more put: "Sometimes a yellow price ticket isn't the bargain it appears to be."
However, it is important to point out that the products she were discussing were not identical. Some shoppers may wish to pay extra for a product which is of higher quality.
A Tesco spokesperson said: "We offer a range of branded and own brand options for our customers to choose from, at great prices.
"This Clubcard Prices offer, on Andrex Supreme Quilts toilet roll, gives Clubcard customers a saving of 18% against the normal retail price.
"We also sell cheaper branded alternatives made to different specifications, such as Velvet Classic Quilted toilet roll.”
How can I find the best prices?
Using a Clubcard isn't the only way you can find bargains at the supermarket.
You'll definitely want a range of ways to find the cheapest prices.
After all, food bills are rising by the second, increasing by around £533 a year because of inflation.
Self-scanners
To start with, supermarket scanners can help you tally up the cost of your shop before you reach the checkout - stopping you from going over budget.
It can help you if you normally meal-prep - making sure you stay consistent with costs calculate as you buy.
Scanners are available in Sainsbury's, Tesco and more, but you might need to have their apps installed first. There will be a section telling you how to access one.
Loyalty schemes
Also, to keep customers coming back, supermarkets often launch loyalty schemes.
For example, you can get vouchers, exclusive money-saving deals and lower prices on grub by signing up.
They're usually free to join too, so you have nothing to lose by scanning your loyalty card next time you shop.
You might even find your bill automatically lowers at the checkout when you do this.
Bend down
Supermarkets tends to put more expensive brands at eye-level, so one way to slash your spends is to bend down.
On the lower shelves you'll find cheaper items like own-brand goods that are just a fraction of the cost.
The supermarkets try on this layout trick so that consumers spot the top dollar products first and, particularly if they're in a rush, will add them straight to their basket without a second thought.
Meanwhile, all the budget bits are on the bottom shelf where they're less visible, and likely to go quietly unnoticed.
Shopping around
Shopping at cheaper supermarkets can help shave money off your bill.
Research from consumer website Which? for example, revealed that shoppers were spending £10.15 more on their shopping at Waitrose compared to budget supermarket Aldi.
You could try mix and matching your shop too - don't feel like you have to buy everything from one shop as some items might be cheaper elsewhere.
The only downside to this is travel costs - you might use up a bit of petrol shipping around to different stores on the hunt for the best bargain.
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There are also schemes and grants that offer the most hard-up a helping hand.
Most major supermarkets have their own offers and grants going - and you can read about them here.