Making a 3 for 2 actually save you money
Multibuys are some of the best offers in UK shops, but only if you were going to buy the items anyway. Here is how to work out what you really save.
3 for 2
You pay for two items and get the cheapest free. If all three cost the same, each one effectively costs two thirds of the shelf price, a saving of about 33%.
| Basket | You pay |
|---|---|
| Three items at £6.00 | £12.00 |
| Effective price per item | £4.00 |
| Items at £6, £6 and £3 (cheapest free) | £12.00 |
Mixing prices weakens the deal, because the free item is the cheapest one. Grouping items of a similar price gets you the most from it.
Buy one get one half price
Two items at the same price cost 1.5 times the shelf price, so each one is effectively 25% off.
Spend and save
Offers like "£10 off when you spend £60" are worth about 17% at exactly £60, and less the further you go past the threshold. Aim to land just over it.
Before you check out: make sure the offer has applied in the basket, and that every item is in stock for delivery rather than collection only.