Using Ocado for bday party.

[belxbel]

Hello. Newbie here, this is my first post.

I am throwing a party for DS, 6. At a church hall. Estimate guests 45.

Have you use Ocado to deliver goods to your party venue? How's the experience like and are they punctual from their 1 hour slot?

For food we have ordered pizza delivery from a neighbourhood restaurant. We welcome parents and siblings to stay, hence we are going to buy extras nibbles, drinks and some snacks off supermarket. We don't drive (our car got stolen last month that's another story...) hence I am thinking so save some hassle maybe I can use Ocado or any supermarket delivery.

My party starts at 3pm, pizza and cake at 4pm I am allowed to use the venue from 1pm. But not allowed to put any party related stuff before that. I can book the 1-2pm slot but I'd be very nervous if the delivery don't make it and my guests ended up has got no drinks and snacks..... or maybe just do the DIY away, and load a 29" luggage full of stuff.

I've taken a look at getir, gorrillas, deliveroo groceries stocks are too limited ...

45 ?? Does that include parents and siblings???

Hire a car....

I'd be more nervous about the pizza arriving in time tbh.

And 45 is mad!

In my experience Ocado are pretty reliable. I’ve used them for around 6 years for my weekly shop. They have been late twice in those six years, once because the van broke down and another time due to heavy snow.

The most likely problem you’ll have is that they’re often early. I’d say they turn up early at least 20% of the time. They tend to phone if they’ll be early and you’re within your rights to say it’s not convenient and I think they then have to wait to your delivery time (although I would always accept the early delivery if I possibly could because those delivery drivers work bloody hard and I don’t want to extend their day).

If you have the hall from 1pm, you could book the 1-2pm slot but go along to the hall 20 minutes early just in case. You could always stand with the shopping outside if you can't get into the hall yet.

Actually though, pp has a good point, just make your life less stressful and hire/borrow a car for the day!

Oh and take some ear plugs, a bottle of gin and a darkened room with you.

We recently went to a party with 30 kids plus parents and it was full on and very loud!

When they were still with Waitrose, I'd have said yes. Now they've got rid of Waitrose in favour of M&S they've gone down the pan tbh.

I still use them occasionally, but they often send a message on the day of ordering with a list of things no longer available (that they allowed me to put in the basket when ordering and paying). The substitutions are often useless too. Availability of M&S foods on the site when ordering is very poor too.

I now use them for general shops knowing I can nip to another supermarket to pick up things they didn't send. I wouldn't rely on them if I didn't have this option. (I guess if you have free time on the morning of the party you could go elsewhere to get absent things? Although this defeats the object of the order, especially with no car atm.)

I can't be the only one having problems and going elsewhere either, I can now book a free slot in the morning to be delivered the next day. In fact at the weekend I looked and there were over a week of slots all day every day, all free, and I don't have a priority pass. I think they're in trouble.

How will you get the presents home?

As PP said though, they do arrive on time! That's one thing I'll give them. I've only had late deliveries a few times

I would get it delivered to your house and do a wheeled suitcase or similar to take the drinks and snacks there.

At age 6 I would assume most parents will drop and go, so I wouldn’t go mad on quantities. I hope so for your sake- 45 people would be crazy!

Presents is a good point

And you will need to bring things like paper plates, cups, napkins, any decorations, birthday cake, candles knife etc

I wouldn’t want to rely on all this in a delivery just before the party, stock is hit and miss right now, I’d want it in advance so I could fill any gaps.

You really need a car, or someone with a car who can help. What about music/speakers, decorations/balloons, cake, presents, party bags, stuff for games, plates and cups etc?
How will you take the leftovers and gifts home, plus a very tired out child?!
There is no guarantee everything will be available for the delivery. I'd rather get everything beforehand, it will be a lot easier in the long run.

We'd bring a few ikea bags for the presents... For on the way home we think of Uber, for family that help up we have me (mom), dad, and auntie. Auntie in charge of party wares ie disposable plates, napkins, no or very minimal deco, birthday cake. We have an entertainer booked, he's the kind that will show some small animals and bring his own sound system.

Actually we r sending out 25 invitations and from previous experiences of other parties from his class, turn up is about 17-20 kids, half the parents stayed. I have not got the complete rsvps, I'd be glad if it's not full attendance but have to be prepared just in case.

Will definitely consider hire a car or Uber all the way.

I've used Ocado to deliver at the beginning of an event to a non-residential venue - they're generally reliable, so I would feel comfortable booking the 1-2pm slot. Just put really clear notes in the delivery instructions - the venue they delivered to for me wasn't actually in their address finder. I just put the nearest address and then made the notes really clear where they actually needed to go, and made sure I was ready to get outside as soon as they arrived.

We've used Ocado for shopping but often didn't mind the delivery time as I wfh anyway. Slots are chosen based on the green van and cost. Have not really tracked their punctuality at all. but thanks for your feedback. Finger x . This is our first big party.

Uber sounds perfect

That way you have all the stuff in advance and don’t need to worry about delivery being late/early or missing bits

Re Ocado

They are normally very punctual here. Used them for many years, before and after the Waitrose/M&S switch abd throughout covid.

Not noticed any difference whatsoever regarding chances in punctuality, reliability or shopping availability in the day.

We've only used them once for an alternative address, but had no problems doing so.

I've used Sainsbury's, Tesco and Asda for campsites and you need to be very specific about the delivery location if it's not a residential address/doesn't have its own postcode.

Ocado have been very reliable EXCEPT where there are major traffic holdups which would, one imagines, affect everything (you getting there, guests getting there, entertainer getting there) and just be a nightmare anyway.

As they will tell you of any substitutions you can pop out and buy a few packs of crisps in the morning, I would think.

If it was me I'd use M&S buffet food (except they don't do kids' food any more), Morrison's buffet food which does include kids' sandwiches and fruit platters (I think they will deliver it, but you can always click and collect) or someone else that does a similar service, rather than Ocado regular groceries. If you have to collect, you could use the Uber or a taxi to do that.

Just unber there and back. You dont need to cater for adults. Just provide cup of tea and biscuits if you are nice.

Your party sounds lovely. I also like to invite siblings and parents too if I’m feeling flush! Ocado is very reliable on delivery times in my experience. They do have substitutions a bit though so just watch out for that and order in plenty of time

update: Ocado was early and the person in charge at the venue was actually very kind (unlike the T&C on email ) and let them in laid down the items at the kitchenette.

21 kids showed up each have 1 parent accompanied, and 4 toddlers siblings. My estimate seemed to be accurate, for the birthday cake and helium gas for balloons, we still ended up so much leftovers. Luckily the staffs at the church were happy for us to leave behind the pizzas, sides, soft drinks and a bottle of prosecco.