Can I trust Tesco's text about my delivery time slot?

[oopslateagain]

I ordered Tesco groceries and picked a time slot of 1-5pm today. I've just got a text saying "we intend to deliver to you between 16:00 and 17:00"

I haven't used them before, will they definitely not come until around 4? Or could they come earlier? I need to go out, I was going to wait until after they delivered but if they're definitely not coming until later I can pop out now.

They could come earlier - they have done, when delivering to us. Sometimes they do phone ahead to say they are running early, and is that OK, but on other occasions, they have just turned up.

Tbh, I don't know what they'd do if they turned up early and no-one was in - hopefully they'd come back at the appointed time, but as I have always been in, when they've turned up early, I can't say what they'd do - sorry to be so unhelpful.

The time ranges have been accurate for us so far, but we've not used them long.

If Asdas are running earlier than my timeslot, they normally text and say they're coming, but if nobodys in they'll call back at the allocated time slot. Imagine Tescos would do the same??

Mine was coming between 12.00 and 16.00 yesterday. Got a text to say it would be between 15.00 and 16.00 and it turned up at 14.30

I took a chance and popped out, they came at 4:30 so bang on their estimate, brilliant. I was sweating buckets they would come while I was out though so I don't think I'll do that again!

I usually do the one hour slots so I can pop out if needed/plan the rest of my day. If they are running earlier than the 1 hour slot they usually phone and ask, but if you are not at home will deliver in your arranged slot.

They can try to deliver early but if you aren't there they have to wait until the allotted time.

I don’t think that’s the case with the four hour slots?

@BiscuitDrama Ours does a four hour slot for your booking, then texts you with a one hour slot within that on the day. They've always been within the one hour, which has also always been within the original four hour :)

I've never heard of four hour slots, there are only 2hr slots around here. I usually get a message giving me a 20 minute slot in there when they estimate delivery, this is Asda though

I regularly use the four hour slots and they always come between texed one hour slot.

Yeah, I understand, I’m just questioning whether they are obliged to fall in that one hour window. When they first rolled out the four hour slots in 2016 they said they may not necessarily be in that 1 hr window which was enough to put me off using it.
Maybe it’s changed since then.

Sainsbury's do 1 hour slots and always come within the hour. If they're early they'll call but if they don't get a response they sit around until your slot.

I choose a 'flexi' slot, 4 hours, which is the cheapest. At 10am on the delivery day I get a text giving me a 1 hour slot in that 4 hour window. They have always been accurate, except one time the driver rang me to ask if he could come earlier. If you were out and they missed you because of NOT being in the time slot they have given you, the driver would have to come back later (and hopefully call you first). I've asked them this very question!

Been very lucky with online shopping from Tesco at the beginning of the first lockdown, then slots got scarce but improved again towards end and have since been lucky. However decided to try the flexible slots but had to ring up the first time as no text arrived the morning it was due but came after I’d rung up. Expecting another today but had to ring up again for an approx time but no text as yet. In future will book a dedicated slit as too chancy to risk missing it. Will give feedback to survey they’re supposed to be sending me.