Cheap items at two shops can mean paying for two deliveries
By Erik Nilsen · Kroni3 min read
Your child can find the lowest product prices at two different shops and still end up with a higher total. If the purchases become two separate orders, calculate delivery for both. Compare a split basket and a combined basket containing exactly the same products.
Calculate the complete orders
In a hypothetical example, your child wants a drawing pad and a pencil set. The pad costs 70 units at shop A. The pencils cost 40 units at shop B. Each shop charges 25 units for delivery. Shop C sells the same products for 80 and 45 units, with one delivery charge of 25. These arbitrary prices illustrate the calculation only.
Buying separately gives product costs of 70 + 40 = 110 units and delivery costs of 25 + 25 = 50. The total is 160 units. Buying together gives product costs of 80 + 45 = 125 and delivery of 25. The total is 150 units.
Although C's product prices add up to 15 units more, paying for one delivery saves 25 units. The result is a payment 10 units lower. Compare the full total of 150 with your child's available money, rather than the product subtotal of 125.
Make one line for each payment
Write “A: 95”, “B: 65” and “C: 150” on paper. The two payments to A and B must fit together within the same budget. With 155 units available, C fits, while A and B require another 5. Each order being below 155 does not mean both can be paid for.
A realistic snag is that the delivery options meet different needs. One product might be available for local collection while the other must be sent. Replace the relevant delivery line with the actual cost. Do not assume free collection if you cannot or will not collect, and do not invent a travel charge your family has not agreed to count.
Check that the products have the same size and contents and can actually be ordered together. If an item must be sent separately for an additional charge, one delivery payment is no longer a reliable assumption.
Ask your family: “What is the sum of every payment, and how many times are we paying for delivery?” Your child can be good at finding product prices and still need this final check.
Carry the calculation into your family agreement
Kroni can keep track of your child's virtual balance. The app does not transfer money, so any actual purchase is paid for outside it. Agree on what you will record, then check the amount with your child afterwards. Do not deduct a possible cost as though the purchase had already happened. Read about allowance in Kroni.
