Sainsbury’s changes £3 meal deal but which shop offers the best? Coupon kid Jordon Cox gives his verdict
The supermarket’s shake-up has annoyed shoppers - but where else does a decent meal deal?
SAINSBURY’S has been at the centre of a customer service storm this week after it changed the rules of its popular meal deal.
The supermarket decided to cut premium range items from its money-saving offer, including its Taste The Difference sandwiches and foot-long subs.
Thousands of shoppers were left unhappy, with many venting their frustrations on Twitter and one even claiming the change had “ruined their life”.
We asked Jordon Cox the Coupon Kid from MoneySavingExpert to give his verdict on meal deals from other shops, including Boots, Tesco and Co-op.
We also spoke to Theo Edwards, founder of the Meal Deal Talk Facebook group, where over 200,000 users post pictures of their meal deals and ask other people to rate them.
Sainsbury’s
Cost: £3 includes basic sandwiches, snack and drink
Before the changes, hungry workers could pick up a New Yorker sandwich, a meat feast sub or any number of salads and pasta pots - alongside a range of snacks including chocolate, crisps and even mini-cake bars - all for just £3.
It has been renamed “On The Go” and removed premium items like the Taste The Difference and foot-long subs from the offer.
This includes the legendary American Triple which has been replaced with the likes of a measly tuna mayonnaise sandwich - and the range of cake bars has all but gone.
Jordon Cox told The Sun: “Sainsbury's is technically allowed to do what they want but they can’t expect their customers to like it.
“It doesn’t affect me too much as in Sainsbury’s I’m not a fan of the expensive sandwiches.
"If I do shop there I tend to go for the more basic sandwiches - either ham or cheese - and they cost £1 to £1.50.”
Co-op
Cost: £3.25 includes main meal, snack and drink
One of the best things about the Co-op meal deal range is its large variety of sides, including fruit pots, yogurts, crisps and chocolate. It costs £3.25.
MoneySavingExpert’s Jordon has never heard of the Co-op meal deal - but that doesn’t mean it’s rubbish.
Plenty of users on the regularly buy it too.
Boots
Cost: £3.29 includes main meal, snack and drink
Main meals include the classic sandwich and also include more exotic choices, like burritos, couscous salads and wraps.
The snacks vary too. You can get popcorn, fresh fruit, veggie sticks with a dip or even a boiled egg if you need a protein hit.
It’s popular with many shoppers, including Jordon.
He told The Sun: “Boots is great because even though it’s a tiny bit more expensive there is lots of different things in their offer, they even have salads and sushi.
"There’s just loads more choice. Also, if you’re an O2 customer you can get the meal deal for £1 every Monday via the 02 Priority app.”
It's also the favourite of Theo, who told The Sun: "I think Boots have the best meals for saving money and getting as much for your money as possible and I feel this is the most important reason for purchasing a meal deal."
Tesco
Cost: £3 includes main meal, snack and drink
Every week over 2 million meal deals are purchased at Tesco, according to the supermarket. It costs £3 - the same price as Sainsbury's.
The most popular meal deal is Tesco chicken and bacon sandwich, a bag of flame grilled steak crisps and 500ml bottle of coke.
Jordon told The Sun: “Tesco is cheap, I’ll give it chat. I go in there and I’m just not very inspired by what they offer.
“They have a good basic chicken or ham but if you want variety then it’s not the best”.
However, Theo is more positive. He adds: "I usually go to Boots for my meals, but I have started to go to Tesco a lot more as I think they have upped their meal deal game."
I have started to go to Tesco a lot more as I think they have upped their meal deal game
Theo Edwards
Is a meal deal worth the bother?
If you’re in the market for a sandwich, snack and a drink then they are usually really great value.
However, if you’re just buying the extras to make up the deal alongside the sandwich then maybe it’s worth asking if you really need that drink or whether you can get a free glass of water at the office.
As Jordon told The Sun: “It’s worth adding up the deal before you buy. Sometimes the savings are only a few pence.
“You can save even more money buying the items and making the sandwich at home”.
What do you think of the meal deal changes? Do you have a favourite? Tell us below