to turn supermarket delivery away when they ring on my door bell two hours early?

It doesn’t. Sorry, l misread and thought you asked why it would stop her from answering the door. I think OP’s question as to what others would have done in that situation is difficult to answer - if you’re not disabled, it’s not the same situation. Given that OP subsequently had difficulties getting the shopping inside, l think it would have been wiser not to answer the door and let him come back.

Do what suits you. You’re also a paying customer.. the supermarket can afford the extra fuel to come back to you.

I understand the reasons this has upset the OP but surely no one thinks the delivery driver was unreasonable to knock and see if he could deliver the food early.

I agree this is a bizarre post , but no-one is infantilising disabled people as far as l can see. They’re defending OP to posters overlooking the fact that disability is a factor in the situation. OP did answer the door and on reflection is wondering whether she would have been unreasonable not to, given that she then had to deal with the groceries before she was up to it, and asked others what they would have done in that situation. Maybe it was the wrong way to phrase it because it’s clearly difficult for anyone without a disability to fully appreciate the difficulties involved.

For two hours before your slot they should really ring to let you know, otherwise it starts to defeat the convenience if you are not there/not ready/asleep!

I had one very polite Sainsbury's driver ring me and it was only 15 minutes before my slot. Another one just turned up half an hour early which is not normally a problem except that I just wanted to have a quiet cup of tea and sort out the fridge before the new stuff arrived.

But two hours early on a Saturday wouldn't be on, particularly as our slot is normally 8.30am.

Did you read what the poster said or just decide to ask questions like a toddler?

Again, why does that stop her from not answering the door or just saying no to the driver?

Yes, so why just not answer the door? Or say no to the driver?

What an absolutely bizarre post. Of course the vans are large enough for several deliveries. And of course he's not just going to arbitrarily decide to deliver someone's order 2 hours late.

He happened to be outside the OP's house so offered the opportunity of an early delivery. Absolutely sensible. All the OP had to do was say no thank you. Or not answer the door.

I fully appreciate that the OP is disabled. But it's not helpful to infantilise disabled people, or women generally,, which too many people on here are doing.

YANBU. If it happens again just say its not convenient, that you order in that timeslot for a reason.

he will have to bring it back during the right timeslot. You will get your shopping.

Ring Tesco if you have any doubts and they can reassure you of their policy.

It was a driver who told me they aren't allowed to deliver early , although some will ring and ask.

I have told them that I don't mind if I am here as I WFH and don't schedule any appointments on a Thursday morning due to the delivery, but if I order it for 6pm because I am out until then, and they come early then they just have to wait.

Some absolutely horrible responses on this thread.

OP YANBU. Don’t feel pressured to do more than you can manage. The man needs to be patient and accept that sometimes his job will be frustrating like this.

It should be obvious to anyone that many ill and disabled people will be using home delivery and he needs to be much more considerate.

Thinking of The Good Life when Margot turned away the Christmas delivery from Harrods.

Yes, sorry. Will ask to have it taken down. Not sure how I do that.

I was struggling with mobility and breathing at that time of the morning due to a chronic health condition. Which is why I always order for late in the morning

No not acceptable....and pp saying how to get over it they had to answer the door with wet hair are also not acceptable.
You have a disability, and the pp keep ignoring that really important part.

Clearly this driver knew what he was doing, he could have easily made the other delivery 2 hours late, but I'm guessing he decided the talking to he would have got would be a lot more, than sacrificing you.

I would complain, and actually ask how small the deliveries had to be, for the van to have enough room in it to have 3 hours worth of ppls orders....I'd ask if any other customers received their orders 2 hrs early, or if it was just you....

Fair point. Though I am am disabled and currently sitting here in a dressing gown.

Did you miss the part where she stated she was only wearing a towel and has a disability… and was alone with a man on the door step while she was thus vulnerable?

I know LOTS of women for whom this unexpectedly early delivery would have been a huge problem: they may be alone and anxious; they may be in the middle of feeding kids; they may be elderly and planned to have someone with them to help; they may be wfh and be on a scheduled work call; they may be about to go on a video call with their GP; they may have been colouring their hair!

They are supposed to call ahead (which he could have done on his way to the neighbour) and ask if they can deliver early. I’ve had drivers call me in exactly the same circumstances - and because it’s meant I’ve had 30-60mins notice, I’ve been happy to take delivery if I’m not tied up or still out on the school run.

OP should complain and, as another PP has mentioned, update the account to show she has a disability. (Mine was update during Covid to reflect having children with SEN, so there is scope to do this).

YANBU. Completely understand why he asked, but it should have been just a phone call without pressuring you. I think you should ring up and complain.

I bet if you'd asserted you were in a work meeting, or dashing out somewhere important, he'd not have insisted. Not saying it's your fault for not doing this! You shouldn't have to to be listened to.

Possibly because she had just got out of the bath and was wrapped in a towel and bath robe. Body image is an issue for lots of people with disabilities and may have been so for OP. Sympathy is one thing, understanding is another.

The word ‘disabled’ mean anything to you ? OP wasn’t ‘mad’ about it. She just wanted an opinion as to whether she would have been unreasonable to say no in light of the fact that an early delivery is difficult for her because of her condition. And she’s had some good advice. From some.

What difference does that make? I have every sympathy for people suffering from chronic health conditions but why would that stop her from simply not answering the door?

Did you read that the OP has a chronic health condition?

If the supermarket wants to reduce petrol used, then they need to offer longer slots only. OP shouldn't need to say that she expects her shopping to be delivered between 10-11 for example rather than 8am if that's the slot she has already chosen.

Maybe the supermarket needs to change their labelling "Dear customer no matter what slot you pick, we know best so you'll get your shopping when it's most convenient to us. Think of the polar bears !".

This feels like a lot of angst for such a simple thing. I suspect nearly everyone would be happy to accept their delivery early or would simply not answer the door and I suspect there might be a few people who might answer the door and refuse the delivery. However I think the number of people who would open the door, accept the delivery and then be so mad about it that they've had to write a Mumsnet thread about it is extremely small.

It's such a non issue. The delivery guy was being sensible to ask.

I personally completely understand how you feel and felt at the time. I don't have a physical health condition but I do suffer from severe anxiety and this sort of situation would have set me off too.
The reason I book a delivery slot is to avoid the shops (anxiety) and I never answer the door unless I'm expecting something that day (anxiety) and knowing I'm expecting a delivery in 2 hours I also would have answered on the off chance they had arrived early because I over think everything (anxiety).
I would have felt very uncomfortable in my dressing gown also and very put out.
I wouldn't have turned him away though because I'd have felt uncomfortable and rude doing that (anxiety).

So if I were you I'd leave a note on my account stating I don't accept early deliveries due to chronic illness and for this boundary to please be respected.
You can also complain to the store but I personally wouldn't in this instance, maybe if it happens again though.

Take care of yourself