Delivery costs and minimum spend traps to avoid

The minimum spend trap

A 'free delivery on orders over £50' offer can push you into spending more than you originally intended. Before adding extra items to hit the threshold, check whether simply paying a delivery fee would be cheaper overall. Adding items you were not planning to buy just to qualify for free delivery is only a genuine saving if those items were already on your list.

Comparing total costs honestly

Always calculate the total cost including delivery before comparing prices across different retailers. A lower product price on one site can easily be cancelled out by a higher delivery charge. Some price comparison tools include delivery costs in their calculations, but many do not — always double-check the full checkout price before assuming one retailer is cheaper.

Delivery subscriptions: worth it?

Retailers including Amazon, ASOS and Ocado offer annual delivery subscriptions that can save money if you order frequently enough. Work out roughly how many orders you typically place in a year and whether the subscription cost is justified by your actual shopping habits. Most subscriptions auto-renew, so set a reminder to review whether you are still getting value before the renewal date arrives.