to turn away my takeaway?

This happened to us once in London (minus the saying "no" etc - we kept the food) and we actually got blacklisted. A few years later, the restaurant got new managers, and they emailed us asking us to come back, they'd give us a discount etc, but zero chance of that.

You've very likely annoyed them now, rightly or wrongly. If it's somewhere you like, I'd have just accepted the food on this occasion.

It's like when you pay a fortune for Amazon Prime, choose your delivery day, and then the order rocks up whenever THEY feel like sending it. Happening loads at the moment. It is annoying and I do understand why you were annoyed. I can get very funny about my takeaways. If there's an incorrect item, I get really upset.

I wasn’t thinking negative necessarily, tbh - ie food was great etc however came earlier than expected.

i wouldn’t class that as particularly negative but tbf I don’t run a restaurant

Mistakes/ miscommunication happens.

I would have accepted and put in the air fryer to heat up or put the oven on low to keep warm rather than them being late as they would probably be out getting the next round of orders out.
I cant imagine standing and staring at someone for about a minute though!

Its annoying but I wouldn't get my knickers in a twist over it.

I get lots of this - usually worded as "we wondered if you would LIKE early delivery."
If I'd have liked it then, I'd have booked it for then

I've had this and im usually happy to take it. Sometimes I get home earlier than planned or plans change and it means it can be dropped off and I can get on with my day. Im happy to take an earlier option if I can.

I’d have just taken it and put it in a low oven tbh. As you said they’ll only send the same food again in an hour after probably giving it a whiz in their microwave 🤷🏼‍♀️

You’re totally in the right & I’d have been pissed off too if you wanted it once the kids were asleep. I probably wouldn’t have sent them away with it because I’m a people pleaser, but I think you did the right thing.

Leaving a negative review is even shittier. You have to give companies the opportunity to fix mistakes before slating them online

We’ve risked it this way and it was so late I was falling asleep!! Can’t win!!

the whole point of the scheduled window is so that you can have your food during a time that suits. No point having the option if they ignore it

I could pretty much guarantee mine would be asleep. We've had many a meal with friends and family planned and eaten at 8pm when the kids are in bed. They go to bed when they're told and don't get up again!

I love that so many of you are falling out with each other over this.

i think you did the right thing actually and well done for making the point. I’m not sure id have been so brave. I’d have taken it and re-heated and then moaned and moaned 😂🫣

it’s so annoying when they arrive really early when you’ve specifically asked for it at a set time. For a reason!! Takeaway is expensive. You what to properly enjoy it.

agree it’s not driver fault though - but he’s the face I guess!

Round here you would get it when it came! I would have just taken it. Very envious that you can order for a twenty minute window!

I’m sure you can if you try really hard.

they wanted to relax. Not eat a treat dinner whilst bathing kids and trying to get them to bed.

But it’s not an “Oh well, these things happen, couldn’t be helped” scenario though, is it? OP paid for a specific service and they didn’t provide it!

Oh and once we bolted home after he rang early, and there he was sitting in the van looking all puckered about the mouth and the groceries were SITTING IN THE SUN ON THE DOORSTEP, but he excused himself by saying he had "waited until the correct time" as if totally oblivious to the fact the timing was all about keeping them refrigerated, not getting to say hello to him in person!

I’d just take it and re heat it. I’d not want to risk them spitting or anything else if they returned it later 😝

Yeah it is quite naughty. I'm sure they are not supposed to but want to get to the pub!

I’ve had this before with a driver who arrived 90 minutes early and was most affronted to find I wasn’t at home. He was babbling, “But I’m here now, I’m here now”. Well tough luck sunshine - I’m not!

I got back 15 minutes before the earliest time he was due to arrive, by which point he’d phoned THREE TIMES wanting to know how far way I was. Absolutely ridiculous.

Technically you weren’t in the wrong, but like… just take the food and leave a review mentioned the earlier time. Making them come back is a bit shit.

I’m just trying to get my head around the fact that you couldn’t eat if your children were wake.

These things happen in life we dont always get what we want.

But it’s clearly not a “Yay, it’s early!” scenario, is it? Otherwise why would the OP have specifically requested for it to arrive later?

Come on; it only takes a bit of common sense.

I get lots of this - usually worded as "we wondered if you would LIKE early delivery."

If I'd have liked it then, I'd have booked it for then.

But if I can take it, I do. However when I have been unable, they sound very put out!

The only issue I can see is if they attempted delivery and you weren't home. Either way you're getting food that was kept warm 2 hours or you re-heat it. I'd have taken it, messaged the restaurant that delivery was 90 mins early making it an inconvenience for you and then eaten my dinner. I would not have waited to eat and I would have included the kids for the meal.

I'm glad it seemed hot.

It was reasonable to want it when they confirmed it would come, but there is no way I'd have risked having it drive round for 90 mins at bacteria-breeding heat!

So yanbu but yab brave!