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Original poster

Waitrose - a vent!!!

28 replies

ajandjjmum · 26/05/2023 11:00

DD's 30th birthday on Sunday - BBQ in the afternoon. Ordered simple desserts from Waitrose 3/4 weeks ago - they've just phoned to say that their computer systems (company wide) have gone down, and they're unable to fulfil the order.

No solution offered (except 14 panna cottas when we've got 50 guests) - so they put down the phone and their problem is 'solved', whilst mine has just started.

So unimpressed!

I'm touchy - I'm having breast cancer connected surgery on Wednesday, and was prepared to throw a bit of money at this to keep it simple, and it's blown up in my face with a company I thought I could trust.

Can't moan at DD about them, as she'd just want to cancel and I really don't want to do that.

OP posts:
timetorefresh · 26/05/2023 11:02

Just get on Tesco and order a load of cakes and then relax. Sounds like you have enough on your plate without worrying about that

CountessBathorysBeautySecrets · 26/05/2023 11:03

Very bloody annoying when stuff like that happens.

Do you have an M&S or a Cook near you, where you can do a smash and grab? Or one of those practically minded friends who's great in a crisis who can help you source more food?

I hop all goes well for you on Wednesday.

Weatherwife · 26/05/2023 11:04

Oh that is so disappointing! Can you get a normal supermarket delivery (from WR or elsewhere) and just stick in loads of desserts? Not sure what kind of thing you were ordering but you could get a load of cheesecakes/trifles/profiteroles type things from normal supermarket ranges?

OhBling · 26/05/2023 11:07

Very very annoying and frankly, quite surprising - I expect better service from Waitrose. Totally understand how frustrating this is, especially with a lot of other things on your plate.

I think for 30 people though, you could get an order from Ocado (M&S), Saimbsurys, Tesco online or, if you have a Cook nearby, call them and pre-order some desserts/cakes.

OpalescentFly · 26/05/2023 11:09

Aldi do some gu knock off type desserts in a range of flavours. You could just buy a whole tray of them if you were after individual serving type desserts

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 26/05/2023 11:10

Waitrose seem to have form for this, I remember quite a few people complaining about unfulfilled Christmas orders.

can you do a click and collect somewhere for a range of desserts ( you are more likely to get a slot than for delivery) and someone could pick them up for you if you can’t?

Please don’t worry too much about this. It’s going to be a lovely day on Sunday, by the time people get onto the desert they will be having such a good time , they really won’t be critiqueing the desert trolley.

Saddlesore · 26/05/2023 11:11

This happened a few years ago to an elderly relative, when she was organising a do at her house for a friend's birthday. She ordered particular desserts at Waitrose, had the order confirmed, and when she went to the store that morning she got the "computer says no" spiel and there was no stock nor even an offer to help her out. She then just went to the bakery aisle and picked up several trays of cupcakes and walked out with them.

I'm not saying you should do this (I wouldn't have the nerve), and while I don't condone shoplifting at all, I do admit to having a grudging respect at her brazen solution to a problem that Waitrose had caused.

egowise · 26/05/2023 11:13

The English cheesecake company. I know it's not panacotta, but they are delicious and should be delivered in time!

AdoraBell · 26/05/2023 11:13

Can you get someone to go to the store for you and buy the things you want?

egowise · 26/05/2023 11:14

Oh, you mean this Sunday. Ecc can't deliver that quick unless they do next day! I'm sorry.

I agree with trying m&s

Augend23 · 26/05/2023 11:14

The suggestion about a practically minded friend may be a good option. I always wish there was something practical I can do to help people going through difficult times and I would be happy to be asked.

Other ideas might include an ocado order? They have m and s and Picard stuff both of which are pretty tasty.

drpet49 · 26/05/2023 11:14

M&S or Cook! is your friend here

Goodoccasionallypoor · 26/05/2023 11:17

You can just get out today/ tomorrow and buy stuff off the shelf. I'm assuming it's a standing up/ garden party thing? I'd just get a range of chilled cakes, ice creams and profiteroles.

One person with a car and a couple of hours free can definitely get this sorted.

TheMousePipes · 26/05/2023 11:26

I was in Waitrose a couple of hours ago and it was utterly bombed out. Chatting with the lady on the meat counter and she said the IT outage means that nothing has been delivered - nationwide. Every member of staff was looking pretty fraught, I felt pretty sorry for them (and glad I did my shopping early today).

madeinmanc · 26/05/2023 11:30

The Aldi individual desserts is a really good call, they come in glass ramekins and I had a dark chocolate ganache. If you hot two Aldis today you might be able to buy enough. Plus they are foil sealed as I remember so should keep OK vs. cream cakes and other more perishable desserts.

madeinmanc · 26/05/2023 11:31

*hit two Aldis

HRTeatime · 26/05/2023 11:31

Cook have some amazing desserts. My favourite is their fruit vacherin.

Original poster
ajandjjmum · 26/05/2023 11:37

You are all lovely - thank you for not telling me to get a grip and these things happen, and all for your great suggestions!

I am meeting a very practical friend for lunch, so will see what thoughts she has. Have also spoken to the ice cream man who brought his van to a previous party - was a great success for puddings. We're trying to see if that will work. DH has just been to Waitrose and said they have nothing, so is making his way over to our nearest large M & S, with all of our fingers crossed.

Because I was wanting a simple solution, the fruit kebabs were brilliant and no additional crockery etc. A group of us are doing the Race for Life in the morning, so won't have the time to make these myself, and worried that they'd go soggy if done the day before.

So still mad with Waitrose....but there are options. Thank you!

OP posts:
Goodoccasionallypoor · 26/05/2023 11:40

Get the ice cream van! I'd love that!

FlounderingFruitcake · 26/05/2023 11:41

Saddlesore · 26/05/2023 11:11

This happened a few years ago to an elderly relative, when she was organising a do at her house for a friend's birthday. She ordered particular desserts at Waitrose, had the order confirmed, and when she went to the store that morning she got the "computer says no" spiel and there was no stock nor even an offer to help her out. She then just went to the bakery aisle and picked up several trays of cupcakes and walked out with them.

I'm not saying you should do this (I wouldn't have the nerve), and while I don't condone shoplifting at all, I do admit to having a grudging respect at her brazen solution to a problem that Waitrose had caused.

I used to work there on customer services as a student and this is exactly what I would have told her to do- have any deserts you like that serve the number of people you’ve ordered for, for free. And I would have refunded the original order too. Clearly things have gone downhill.

FlounderingFruitcake · 26/05/2023 11:42

Also OP get the ice cream van!!

Blossomtoes · 26/05/2023 11:43

TheMousePipes · 26/05/2023 11:26

I was in Waitrose a couple of hours ago and it was utterly bombed out. Chatting with the lady on the meat counter and she said the IT outage means that nothing has been delivered - nationwide. Every member of staff was looking pretty fraught, I felt pretty sorry for them (and glad I did my shopping early today).

Oh so that’s what’s happened. Our Waitrose is pretty much empty in the fresh food sections.

familyissues12345 · 26/05/2023 11:44

madeinmanc · 26/05/2023 11:30

The Aldi individual desserts is a really good call, they come in glass ramekins and I had a dark chocolate ganache. If you hot two Aldis today you might be able to buy enough. Plus they are foil sealed as I remember so should keep OK vs. cream cakes and other more perishable desserts.

Yes definite good shout, the lemon posset is fab!

Original poster
ajandjjmum · 30/05/2023 16:24

We survived! Couldn't get the icecream van at such short notice (booked out to festivals), but the GU puds were great and my friends fruit kebabs were 100 x nicer than anything that Waitrose could have produced.

Thank you for all of your great ideas to get me over my drama - they was much appreciated!

OP posts:
Original poster
ajandjjmum · 30/05/2023 16:26

*were

OP posts: