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Original poster

Can I send a Tesco delivery to someone?

55 replies

03cg73 · 20/02/2024 19:50

Basically just as it says. Can I send a Tesco delivery to someone without them knowing it's come from me?

Long story short, a friend of a friend has had a horrendous year. Gave up work around 3 years ago to care for her husband. What she had to cope with would have broken most people and he sadly died a few days before Christmas. She has no kids, only family live abroad, her dog is now ill and she's struggling

I spoke to my friend earlier (who is a lot closer to this person than I am) and she had been on the phone in tears asking for a loan of money to get her by. She is having issues accessing her husbands pension, hers doesn't pay a lot, the medication the dog needs is costing a lot and she had run out of food. My friend wasn't gossiping. She is genuinely heartbroken for her and is trying her best to help.

I want to do something to help her. I know her address and was thinking of sending her a Tesco shop to get her though a few weeks

She is a very proud woman and was extremely embarrassed at having to ask my friend for a loan which is why I don't want her to know this has come from me. I don't plan on telling anyone at all

Can't do a drop and run at the door as she has a ring door bell and would see me

If this is possible? And ideas of do's/dont's on what to include?

OP posts:
PossumintheHouse · 20/02/2024 20:17

This is a really lovely idea, but make sure you think of the practicalities. Do you know about any allergies or intolerances? Do you know what would be useful for them and not wasted? If you live nearby, I’d definitely drop the food off myself and leave a nice note so she knows it’s for her. She probably will still feel embarrassed though, if she’s as you describe.

Londonvisit2024 · 20/02/2024 20:18

Post a letter to tell her it's coming/post the voucher. That way, you don't get caught on the video.

DorothyZ · 20/02/2024 20:18

There is no way I would use a voucher or money put through my door anonymously.

In fact it's likely that she will feel worse receiving a gift and not knowing who it's from, it could be anyone judging her and she won't want that.

Please don't try to be secretive

TruthThatsHardAsSteel · 20/02/2024 20:23

I accidentally sent a Tesco order to my mums house once. she refused it. They told her it was ordered by full name. Then she rang me and said, you're an idiot, you're shopping has came here. So I think the driver will say who placed the order. You could put a note in asking it to be kept anonymous but there's no way of guaranteeing that message will make it to the driver and that they will do what you've asked.

Porfirio · 20/02/2024 20:27

How would you know what she likes to eat?

Why not put a card and money through the door with the words -

I hope this helps you during this time.

Best wishes.

MargaretThursday · 20/02/2024 20:28

DorothyZ · 20/02/2024 20:18

There is no way I would use a voucher or money put through my door anonymously.

In fact it's likely that she will feel worse receiving a gift and not knowing who it's from, it could be anyone judging her and she won't want that.

Please don't try to be secretive

Edited

If you really wanted to be anonymous then maybe send a voucher with something along the lines of "I won a small amount on the lottery and I'm sending random people a small amount to spend to share my joy. Hope you enjoy it"

That way they don't have to feel people are talking about them, they don't have to feel they should be heavily thankful and wonder who to. If you really wanted to hide it you could even pretend you'd heard from your cousin's next door neighbour who'd had it too.

I once had £30 put through the door "to buy new shoes". I have no idea where the money came from, but I have funny shaped feet and new shoes normally rub badly, so I tend to put off buying new ones as long as possible. Obviously someone thought I couldn't afford new shoes. 😂
I bought new shoes at least partially out of embarrassment.

Darklane · 20/02/2024 20:30

If she’s so proud I think the delivery, kind as it is, would be fraught with all the problems the others have mentioned.
As you live near could you not invite her round for a meal, take her out for a treat of some kind, a meal or just a trip to town or somewhere. Being bereaved she might be glad of the company & a time to just think of something other than her worries for a time. I’d definitely think about the dog, can your friend find what food he eats, or his meds,you could find a way to help there, he’s obviously her company & solace & it would free up some of her money to buy her own food.

80skid · 20/02/2024 20:32

What a lovely kind idea. I hope you manage to find a way to help your friend out

ODFOx · 20/02/2024 20:33

You can't change the name so she'll know that it's from you, plus she needs to be in to receive the delivery.
You can send an Amazon Morrisons order to a different name, but she'll still need to be there to receive it.
Or you could send her cash in an envelope with an anonymous card wishing her well and explaining what it's for.

Goatygoaty · 20/02/2024 20:34

Cook meal boxes are great and you can do that anonymously 😊 xxx

Potentialmadcatlady · 20/02/2024 20:35

Do you know what vets she uses? I would make a payment to them if you do. With my vet I can do it online. If not give them a ring and ask them to keep it confidential if possible.
I sent deliveries to my DD during lockdown from Tesco but she knew it came from me and had to be there to accept the delivery.
You could send hello fresh.. they leave at door if no one answers

sciencemama · 20/02/2024 20:36

Lovely idea. Maybe send a postcard to her via Royal Mail saying you're a friend and there will be a gift from Tesco arriving on this date between this time.

Ideas for shopping:
Tea, coffee, sugar, milk
Butter, bread, jam, cheese
Biscuits, crisps
Cereal
Tinned soup, pasta, rice
Fresh fruit (apples are a safe bet from supermarkets and are often not bruised)
Frozen veg

I did this for my mum when she was struggling and got bits of meat (chicken breast, mince, meatballs, pork steak, lamb chops)
I'm aware some people only get meat from butchers though

Ilovemyshed · 20/02/2024 20:40

Could you call the vet and place some money on account there?

Original poster
03cg73 · 20/02/2024 20:43

Thank you everyone

A lot of good points and lots to think about. I do know her well enough to know what she likes to eat, through conversations, being out eating socially in a group etc but not close enough to invite her round for a meal. I know she doesn't have any food allergies/intolerances, just that only meat she really eats 2 particular ones

Was thinking more cupboard/fridge/staples etc to get her through. Some bubble bath or some other nice things

She uses the same vets as me so there may be a way of helping out there.

Posting a co-op voucher with a nice note as a random act of kindness might be a better idea than sending a food shop

OP posts:
Beautyfadesdumbisforever · 20/02/2024 20:44

Not what you asked but might also help, get your friend to ask her about the medication her dog is on.
If she is buying it from her vet it is worth looking online at Animeds or Viovet and checking their prices it can save you a fortune.
One medication alone for my dog cost £96 a month from the vet £29 inc postage online.
you will need a prescription from the vet usually a one off payment for 6 months of medications.
Hope you manage to do the Tescos delivery it’s a lovely idea and a kind thing to do.

Queijo · 20/02/2024 20:47

Tesco gift cards only work instore.

I would send an EdenRed voucher than you can use for all the major supermarkets, including Sainsbos, Waitrose and Asda online. All the other ones are able to be used instore.

OnTheLabel · 20/02/2024 20:48

Co op voucher sounds like the way to go.

Westfacing · 20/02/2024 20:49

Whether you send a food delivery or a voucher please don't send it anonymously - many people would find that unsettling.

Copperoliverbear · 20/02/2024 20:52

Yes x

LongDriveway · 20/02/2024 20:52

Just send a co op voucher so she can buy what she likes.

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 20/02/2024 20:52

The coop is more expensive!

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 20/02/2024 21:02

Could you pop round with a few one portion meals for her freezer? Say you were doing a bit of batch cooking, and thought maybe with everything she's been though, cooking might be the last thing on her mind so you thought it might be handy to have a few bits in the freezer as you'd managed to do more than you needed? Some dinners, soups etc.? If she tries to refuse out of politeness, tell her your own freezer is now full so it will just go to waste.

Someone close to me lost their spouse recently. No particular money worries, but couldn't face cooking for one for a while, so really appreciated having stuff they could just defrost and heat up.

Darklane · 20/02/2024 21:03

Yes, she really shouldn’t be buying her dogs meds directly from the vet.Like the PP poster I saved a fortune by buying the prescription from the vet & buying online, Animed, in my case. My old girl was on long term meds, three of them, that cost £485 from the vet but just £154 from Animed with the £20 charge for the prescriptions each drug type. You could tell her about this if she doesn’t already do it.

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