To not understand the point of Ocado.

[Nevertooearlyforcake]

No, I don't really give a shiny shit but I do muse on it occasionally when I see Ocado mentioned in the papers. Waitrose somehow manage to deliver their own stuff round my way and Ocado are now a listed company, just don't get it. The prize for the dullest thread ever is mine - but I really would be interested if someone could explain the point...

[membrillo]

Ocado offer their own branded things too...

[Byecklove]

We love Ocado! Waitrose doesn't deliver to us and was using Tesco for a while but got fed up with them never having anything in stock. Now we get punctual service with a smile, the products we order (which include organic veg boxes and a range from the local farm shop) and no need to drag three DCs shopping.

And no, I don't work for them.

[monkeypuzzeltree]

Have you tried using the waitrose website? Is v painful in comparison to ocado!

[KnockedUpMell]

Theyve hardly ever given me a substitution, and have a huge range of items. By far the best delivery company in my area (imo)!

[SodoffBaldrick]

We left the UK a year ago, and one of the things I miss the most is Ocado.

YABU. Have you used them??

[SpiffingWeatherForDucks]

I haven't had a substitute from them yet. They text to remind you they are coming and tell you who is delivering to you (today it is Tom in Onion van), mine have been late only once and then they texted ahead of time to apologise and check it was ok. They price match all the basics with tescos but the main reason I have switched to them is they have a great delivery scheme where you pay one fee a month and then get as many deliveries as you like- I've just signed up for a great offer of six months free deliveries and six months at £6.99 per month. Same price as one Tesco delivery at peak time I think.

Oh and on an Eco friendly front you they recycle your bags for you and when you book your delivery time they show delivery slots when a van is already booked to deliver in your area in green so you can choose that one if it suits and know you are saving a bit of petrol.

TA daaaaaaaaaaaa

[DontmindifIdo]

Waitrose delivery has only just started in most places, it's patchy, they don't have the same range and they don't have the same "easy" options like just picking a standard shop and set date and that arriving every week (giving you the option of editing/adding to it, or to just forget and at least get the basics).

However, I've fallen out of love with Ocado, they just kept delivering broken/damaged stuff so I've cancelled down the account, so far using Sainsburys and going to try Waitrose, but as others have said, the site is painful.

[FredFredGeorge]

In 2002 a couple of blokes went to Waitrose and did a deal whereby they'd run home delivery service "ocado" selling waitrose goods if Waitrose agreed not to run their own home delivery for a number of years 8 I think. Ocado got "own brand" goods of a known brand and quality, and waitrose got the extra sales with just the slight risk of if everyone went to home delivery they'd lose in store sales.

Ocado did pretty well, but waitrose still later started up their own deliveries once they could. They don't have substitutions so much because they run out of a single depot and therefore can both carry larger stock and also don't have customers in the shop taking things they think they have in stock off the shelves.

[Jaffacakeeater]

The iPhone app is also fantastic. All my shopping now done wherever and whenever. It's brilliant!

[Nevertooearlyforcake]

Wow, loads of replies - very interesting, thank you!

Can't try them, they don't exist here. I live in Scotland and am lucky to be close enough to one of the few Scottish Waitrose stores to be able to get any delivery. It's Waitrose who do it in the same way all the other supermarkets round here do (except unlike the rest Waitrose delivery is free over £50) so didn't understand where Ocado 'fit' where they do exist. There seemed to be a bit of a stooshy when the company floated and I couldn't understand why anyone would by their shares. But the I thought the guys who started were ex-Goldman Sachs so must have thought they were on to something.

[difficultpickle]

Ocado has been delivering for years. Waitrose only recently started doing deliveries so a lot of people chose Ocado when the only alternative was Tescos (who are utterly rubbish in my experience).

[Tanith]

So far as I'm concerned, their main attraction is that big, purpose-built warehouse.
No picking the customer's shopping from the shop floor: they are packed from refrigerated and frozen storage facilities and put straight into a refrigerated pod. Much less potential for food poisoning and, as I'm looking after other people's young children, that's a big plus for me.

The courtesy of the drivers, excellent time-keeping, and sense of going the extra mile for their customers is, of course, a big bonus, too (did I tell you that one Ocado driver once dug his way through 18 deliveries during the heavy snows of 2010 and got our shopping to us? Not even our postman managed that!).

[BsshBossh]

When we started online supermarket shopping Ocado had the best reputation for service and they stocked Waitrose goods; Waitrose didn't deliver then. We've stuck with Ocado because we've had excellent service with them and are very happy. It's also why we don't bother with Tesco et al, simply because we're happy with Ocado. Besides, the Ocado app is fantastic!

[betterwhenthesunshines]

One hour delivery slots with good availability. And reliable.

[painauchoc]

it's a real shame but waitrose delivery is awful - booked them for my Christmas shop, they turned up missing half the items.
Ocado is generally much better for that but they have run down a lot of lines in favour of their own nasty quality stuff.
but still the better delivery option I think.

[NiceViper]

I love the Ocado app.

But I've been blighted by a series of late deliveries in the last couple of months, so feel as if I have to pick a slot defensively (IYSWIM) to allow for this.

If Waitrose brought out an app, I may well change allegiance, especially as I still have an old JLP cards, which is immensely safe online (as you can only use it in JL and Waitrose now: Ocado dumped it last month).

[WhenIWasAYoungWarthog]

That’s because you work for Ocado pancakefan, so I assume you get a staff discount. Also I’m sure the op has decided whether or not to use Ocado at some point in the last 6 years.

[JellyBears]

Ocardo have their own brand their an online supermarket. They just happen to have a contact with Waitrose/John Lewis to sell their stuff too.

[scaryteacher]

You put Campari in your shopping do you Pancakefan? Can't Ocado employ someone who can spell?

You must be male, this is the nest of vipers, we don't respond to 'sweetie' or 'girly' as on your other thread, as we are adult human females. As we are vipers, we bite.

[Whizbang]

Hahaha, nice try Ocado. You really do have a low opinion of the intelligence of us girlies don’t you.

[SpoilsburyToastGirl]

'Listen sweetie' ......... 'fellow girlies' .....piss off you patronising bellend

[Aridane]

I really doubt this is an Ocado plant !!

[Whizbang]

No you’re right Aridane, it’s doing them more harm than good. Agree with the poster on the other thread...OP is probably someone from Waitrose stirring

[MereDintofPandiculation]

Ocado were on the radio this morning. The software and processes for online shopping they sell to other operators, and remaining in online shopping themselves means they test their processes on their own customers, hence they produce stuff that other supermarkets are willing to pay for.