To refuse to give someone else control over my food shopping.

[SCOTCHandWRY]

Ok, I ABU as this is slightly thread-about-threadish, however...

All the big supermarkets seem to be pushing their order online food delivery services as being a sensible, green and time efficient thing to do, but I think it's a rubbish idea (unless of course you really can't get to the supermarket).

I want to actually see and choose the food we are going to eat! This is particularly relevant to fresh foods - I want the longest use-by date, the least bruised etc (unless of course it's yellow stickered/reduced price because it has a short date, or isn't perfect).

My PIL get weekly deliveries (different supermarkets), no end of complaints about substitutions (even though they have said no substitutions!), short dates, bashed tins etc, have to wait in for deliveries, and pay about a fiver for the privilege.

Even if they PAID me a fiver to deliver my shopping, I still wouldn't do it!

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Ocado have very detailed product information about ingredients, allergies etc. I also find the customer reviews helpful. The minimum shelflives are also given.

The drivers are occasionally late, especially in the evenings, but there is always someone here in the evenings so not a problem, also they are very good at keeping you informed if they are running late. I often use the 7.30 to 8.30am slot so it is all done before school. The drivers have been without exception polite and helpful.

I live within 5 mins drive of a big Sainsburys and have two child free days a week so I could easily do my own shopping but I really like Ocado and have plenty of other things I'd rather do with the time.

[BreastmilkDoesAFabLatte]

I don't drive, so delivery is cheaper than getting a taxi home with a big shop.

[ChippingInLovesAutumn]

Do you always moan this much about things that are available &/or optional and not compulsory? What's the point? If you don't want to do it, don't do it - why give it a second thought let alone start a thread about it?

[Bunbaker]

I have had another idea. Tesco offer a service where you place an order, they pick it and pack it and you collect it. All the meat and veg will be packed together so you can check your order before you leave the shop.

[MrsChristmasVamos]

I like internet shopping, I do quite a bit online. Only ever used Tesco, and they are very good, if items are missing it's refunded, or if it's the wrong item...they also refund delivery if they are late.

Apparently if you have a Waitrose near you, I think if you spend a certain amount in there once you have shopped you can get it delivered for free.

Iceland also home deliver if you spend £25 or more.

[Bunbaker]

I forgot to add that we live in a rural area and it is cheaper to pay the full delivery charge than get in the car to go to the supermarket.

[hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman]

I am very rural too which is another reason I like internet shopping, it saves me getting in the car and trawling my sorry backside to the supermarket, especially at this time of year when our roads can be foul.

[maybenow]

I get deliveries from sainsburys - one hour slots for delivery, no hanging around

I get fruit and veg from an organic box scheme and bake my own bread so mainly dry goods, cleaning stuff and toiletries... never had an issue. I don't accept many substitutions, and they always check if you want them at the door and you can send them away if you dont' want them.

[hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman]

I have better things to do after a night shift than shop so I love internet shopping. I can get home, sleep and wake up just in time for Mr Tesco to deliver me some shopping. I do sometimes shop in store but I guess I am lucky, the dates have always been good and if I am fussy about a product I just select the 'no substitutions' option, most of my fruit and veg comes from my veg box so I don't really encounter the problems you speak of.

[InNeedOfBrandy]

Oh and if you do need to pop to the corner shop during your delivery slot and they come guess what, they ring you and wait for you to come home.

[Bunbaker]

"but I still wouldn't like hanging around for deliveries"

Ocado do one hour slots, Tesco do two hour slots, and all the drivers have satnavs. It seems that you are just looking for reasons not to even try an online shop. I was sceptical at first, but it frees up so much more of my time.

Life is too short to spend lots of time in a supermarket.

[SantaisBarredfromhavingStella]

I use Tesco who are pretty good, never had bashed fruit, short dates or crap substitutions in fact a bottle of wine I ordered for a fiver was substituted for a £10 bottle & price matched so quite impressed.....
I also only pay £2.50 for delivery for a slot when I'd normally be in-would cost me more than that in petrol.

So all in all I think YAB a bit U

[Bitdifferent]

Ooh that reminds me I must just add a box of clementines to my order for tomorrow! My order that will probably be waiting for me when I get home from school tomorrow morning, all delivered and put away by 9.15. Another ocado shopper here. The fruit and meat are fine, no substitutes and rarely late (usually early) with one hour slots. I hate shopping, it's much easier shopping on my phone whilst I sit with dd2 as she reluctantly does her maths homework!

[SCOTCHandWRY]

We do an Internet shop about once a month for things that they can't go wrong on, and then for food that needs to be fresh or have good dates on it, we do it ourselves. Works for us to do a bit of both.

A sensible approach - but I still wouldn't like hanging around for deliveries (pretty rural so delivery drivers often lost, late).

[Haughtyculture]

I'm a lazy cow so I love having shopping delivered!

[AmberSocks]

I havnt entered a supermarket in 4 years!I have no idea why anyone still does!

In all that time i have never had any problems,i think once some milk leaked but that has been it.I use waitrose and sainsburys.They choose the freshest stuff they have(or are suposed to,they always have for me) and all the offers in store are online except for the stuff thats going out of date and they sell cheap at the end of the day.

[InNeedOfBrandy]

You can read the labels online! It's not just a picture of the product.

[Bunbaker]

I use to mistrust online shopping until I was housebound with a medically fragile baby. Getting deliveries from Tesco was a life saver. I have been ordering from them for over 10 years and have been extremely fortunate with their service - from picking and packing to delivery. I have had very few errors, damaged goods or rubbish substitutes, and on the odd occasion it happened they have been very quick to refund me.

Why do you need to look at toilet roll, baked beans or washing powder? You can get the bulky stuff delivered once a month say and stock up with the fresh stuff as and when you need it.

I usually get my non food and non perishable stuff delivered and buy my meat and veg from local farm shops. It's a win win situation for me.

[SlightlySuperiorPeasant]

Well, YANBU because that's what puts me off but one day I will get round to trying it. DS likes looking at the fish though so for now it's a cheap treat :o

[OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos]

We do an Internet shop about once a month for things that they can't go wrong on, and then for food that needs to be fresh or have good dates on it, we do it ourselves. Works for us to do a bit of both.

[SCOTCHandWRY]

Interesting, the number of people who are recommending Ocado... unfortunately we have no Ocado here in Scotland (and only a tiny handful) of Waitrose.

And yes, I am a control freak about food as DS1 has a tree nut allergy, DS4 can't have cows milk and I can't have Gluten or egg yolk... I read ALL the labels! PIL have a couple of allergies too - hence the complaints re substitutions...

[QueenofNightmares]

YANBU I prefer the control over my own shopping can make sure the fruit isn't manky

[WilsonFrickett]

You do know it's not compulsory, don't you? If you don't want to shop on line, well, just ...don't. all the more cheaper delivery slots for me

[InNeedOfBrandy]

I used to get a f&v box, cancelled it as of this week, I was throwing stuff out and my freezer is packed with veg.

[Justforlaughs]

I like shopping in person but i think I'd probably save a fortune if I did it online. I don't like the idea of other people selecting my fruit and veg so I don't think YABU.