I CANNOT get the hang of click'n'collect grocery shopping

[TheOtherBennetSister]

I first tried it last year. Turned up at my slot time to be told they were running 90 minutes behind schedule and it's best not to set off until the order receipt comes through to my email. Would I like to wait for 90 minutes in a car park or drive home and come back again? And no, they can't cancel it at this point so I can't just go in to the shop and do it myself.

Decided to try again this week.

Put my order in a couple of days ago. Forgot to add biscuits. Tried to amend but apparently I can't add anything once it's finished which seems bloody ludicrous to me. Oh well, I'll nip in and buy biscuits when I collect my order.

Waited for the order receipt to come through. Set off. Got my shopping. Parked. Went into the shop for biscuits, still reasoning that I was saving time and effort by having them do the bulk of it.

Got home and unpacked. They did not have the following items and have not substituted: cheese, lettuce, humus, peaches. So that's packed lunches bollocksed for this week! I'm going to have to go back to the shop. AGAIN. Or to the expensive local shop which was what I was trying to avoid by going to the cheap, far away one in the first place.

Yeah. It sucks. I hate the substitutions or lack of. Will suck it up for the convenience of a delivery but quicker/easier to pop in when I'm collecting from a supermarket.

Iceland are really the only ones I bother with online. Mainly as they tend to be places with tricky parking.

I don't think I'll bother again.
I only did it because I'm flat out this week and I thought it might save time. It didn't. Especially when you factor in the time it's taking me to moan about it on Mumsnet!

What shop are you using?

It sounds like you are clicking and collecting same day? I've not done this before but that's probably why you can't amend it after purchase as the order will go straight to the shop for picking.

I use Tesco but order in advance. You can book your slot and then add things after you've checked out up until 11.45 the night before collection.

I've never had to wait very long when collecting. They just bring it out as you arrive - you tell them you are there via an intercom and they bring it out a few minutes later. Sometimes you might have to wait slightly longer if a few people arrive at once but I don't think I e Eve waited more than 5/6 minutes. Seems odd they could be an hour and a half behind?! Surely they just bring it out as people get there. Was there a huge queue of people waiting?

Plus they always tell you when there are substitutions or missing items. Either by telling you or directing you to your paper receipt which lists them. You can refuse any subs you don't want by just giving them back, or if course you can pop into the store to see if they've now got anything missing.

Haven't done it in a while but used to do big weekly shop with Tesco during the pandemic.

Never had an issue - you are handed your receipt with the subs and can keep or reject before you pack the car.

I've only done it for DD at uni with Sainsbury's and was amazed at what an effective and time saving exercise it is.
Booked a week in advance (we're in Italy) arrived on the day, at the time. A man in a van arrived and gave us our stuff.
Wish we had it here!

I'm not a fan either. The only food delivery service I'll use is Amazon fresh as its free same day over £40 with a 2 hour time slot

They don't substitute either but tell you at checkout if something is not available so you can either make your own substitute or go without

Admittedly it's not the cheapest option but it's not that bad price wise and I'm paying for the convenience

That does seem a complete faff.

As others have said, Tesco click and collect works fine. I have a regular Saturday afternoon slot and normally get my receipt emailed by about 10am that day with a list of (reasonable) substitutions, unavailable items and short dated items so I know what I'm getting and can accept or reject when I collect later on.

I haven’t had this experience with click and collect at all. Order a few days in advance, finalise order the night before. Get a receipt through several hours before collecting so I know in advance if there are substitutions or things not available, and rarely does that happen. Arrive, shopping there waiting for me, pack up and go. much quicker than going into the shop

I am a total convert to click and collect, I use Asda. 50p - 1.50 a slot, yesterday I sat for ten mins on my lunch break and ordered the shop, collected after work. Absolute gamechanger for me! And I’m saving money as well because I am not taking the children with me, no pester power!

Which supermarket are you using?
I alternate between Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and occasionally Morrisons and I haven't had the issues you describe.
I sometimes do click and collect and sometimes delivery. Always have an email receipt with any substitutions or items not available.

I don't understand why you got your receipt via email but didn't realise you had any missing items until you got home?

I shop with Tesco and my receipt says on the top how many substitutions and missing items I have.

I use Tesco, never had this issue.

I book my slot weeks before hand, then amend it the night before to what I need.

I have it ticked to do substitutions, if I don't like the sub I just don't take it. Usually I get a sub of a better quality item.

The hardest part is if I arrive for my pick up but the van hasn't arrived with the food at the C&C collection point yet.

It's really a very simple and easy to use system.

I'm Sainsbury's and never have a problem with it.

It’s not you, it’s the shops. I find it easy to do my own shopping in person because most of the time you end up going back for things you either forgot to order or they didn’t substitute or the BB4 dates mean everything needs eating in the next 48hrs…..

I've only done it a few times with Asda and just didn't get on with it. I like to pick what items I want and choose the best before date and if something is out of stock I can choose an alternative, makes no sense to me to book this to 'save time' to then have to go to another shop to get the items they don't have?

I agree it's great for people who don't have the time to go round the supermarket for me I just don't like it.

Which shop? I've only used click and collect and occasionally delivery for years, never go in shop and I've never had any similar issues.
How long before pick up did you try and amend the biscuits?
And you need to check your email or app or paper for companies still doing that re subs and substitutions (and did you have allow substitutions option clicked?)

Just do delivery

We’ve done Sainsbury’s a few times and never had any issues.

This. Plus can get some great reduced items in store. I regularly fill my freezer.

Yes what shop is it? I use Tesco and have never had these issues

What are the benefits of click and collect over delivery?

We use Sainsburys and Morrisons c and c regularly. Always order day before. Sainsbury's send you a receipt first thing detailing any substitutions or missing items, Morrisons just before the pick up slot. Sainsburys you can indicate if substitutions are acceptable(default) or not. Never had to wait to pick up.

The electronic receipt should have told you what items were unavailable?

I use ot weekly and have never had an issue