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Original poster

Online Groceries - shelf life

26 replies

MumofBoysx2 · 06/04/2018 21:27

I try to get most of our weekly shop in one go with a weekly online delivery (except the odd small shop in between). I had a delivery on Wednesday, and to my annoyance this morning I noticed that the food I had planned for today and the weekend was all out of date. So I've just had to chuck out a whole chicken, some chicken breasts and some lamb steaks as they all expired yesterday or today (ie a day or two after they were delivered). Is this normal? Not very helpful for trying to plan ahead and now I have to go out again! Grrrrr!

OP posts:
jaseyraex · 06/04/2018 21:29

Chuck all your meat in the freezer in future. Then just take it out in the morning or night before and let it defrost. I seem to get this mainly with chicken, it's always out of date a day or two later so I freeze everything as soon as it arrives!

blondebuddha · 06/04/2018 21:29

Asda seems to be awful for this. Last time it happened I'd just had DS and I rang customer services in a flurry of crazy new mum hormones and got a full refund!

InDubiousBattle · 06/04/2018 21:30

We sometimes use Morissons and they list your fresh shopping by the date it goes off, so it will start with tomorrow and list any stuff that only has a day on so you can chose to reject it very easily. Asda have delivered fresh food to me with only a day or two on it, you have to look carefully before you put everything in the fridge.

RoderickRules · 06/04/2018 21:31

I’ve had this with Tesco and Ocado.

I’ve decided not to use them.

GreggsSausageRolls · 06/04/2018 21:33

Sainsburys online orders always aim to give you three days date, otherwise it's flagged as short dated so you can reject it.

DangerMouse17 · 06/04/2018 21:35

It happens quite a bit until you complain. I complained once, got it all refunded and funnily enough I've never had the same issue. I reckon those that say nothing get marked as "pushovers" and are given all the crap dates Grin

Lazypuppy · 06/04/2018 21:36

You should be able to add a note to your order asking for long shelf lives, then check dates when it arrives and reject if no good. People who pick it probably don't look at dates.

ILikeMyChickenFried · 06/04/2018 21:37

Tescos do this to me. Every time they do it I complain and get a refund.

PrincessConsuelaBannanaHammock · 06/04/2018 21:38

We had this trouble with Asda, found Sainsbury's much better date wise

greathat · 06/04/2018 21:39

Tesco are supposed to guarantee a certain number of days on certain foods. If they expire before that it should be flagged up. On the occasions it hasn't been for me they've refunded with no issue

newmumwithquestions · 06/04/2018 21:42

I’ve had this with Ocado, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s. Everyone I’ve ever used for home delivery!
Sainsbury’s also sent me in date but mouldy strawberries.

All refunded. Waitrose were the best about it.

One of them tells you the minimum days things will have on their best before/use by dates. That helps to plan.

MrsJamin · 06/04/2018 21:43

Ocado is much better on this as the food is much fresher, it's never been on supermarket shelves and you get a guaranteed minimum life of the products. I don't think I've ever had meat that's had less than 3 days. It's worth looking at the best before dates once you unpack just to try and remember. I'd never order from tesco or waitrose as firstly, they have no idea when taking your order that they have those products in stock, let alone with plenty of days left on the life. I've ordered from Ocado for nearly 10 years now and had so few problems.

SingingGoldfinch · 06/04/2018 21:44

It's annoying isn't it!? We've had this happen before and I now check as I'm putting it away and chuck anything with a shorter shelf life straight in the freezer. We use Waitrose and they give you anything with a short (1day) shelf life for free so that can be a silver lining!!

Phosphorus · 06/04/2018 21:49

I've never had a problem with dates from Tesco.

I wouldn't have thrown out stuff dated yesterday or today though, just cooked the hell out of it and frozen it.

Onesmallstepforaman · 06/04/2018 21:54

I work in online shopping. At one of the big four. We ALWAYS pick with at least two days on. We also list those dates on the printed receipts we give with each delivery. Our pick system will not allow under two days on soft fruit and veg, meat and some bakery products.

GardenGeek · 06/04/2018 22:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Acorncat · 06/04/2018 22:27

I've only used Asda but I've found them great with long dates on meat, and they'll tell you in advance if any thing will be out of date quicker than usual. Though I always plan to have chicken meals within a few days of the order anyway.

iamyourequal · 06/04/2018 22:31

Just complain and they will refund you. You should always check the shopping whilst putting it away though. Put anything that has a short date in the freezer. Then complain for your refund!

velocitykate · 06/04/2018 22:36

I use Asda. Their website lists the typical shelf life you can expect on any perishable goods. The email you get prior to delivery then tells you if any of the items they are bringing have less than the typical shelf life so that you can choose to reject them - or with meat, just put it straight in the freezer until you need it.

I did use to have a problem with Sainsbury's bringing loads of stuff that went off quickly

Original poster
MumofBoysx2 · 06/04/2018 22:38

I think Morrisons have a great idea with this - wish they all did it!

OP posts:
Original poster
MumofBoysx2 · 06/04/2018 22:40

Thanks all. It seems to be a fairly common thing to have two days shelf life left. It makes a weekly shop hard to plan! Thanks for the tips. Think I might switch to Sainsbury if they do allow refunds.

OP posts:
Mymouthgetsmeintrouble · 06/04/2018 22:45

I shop with morrisons and its great how they set it out in date order , my order came today and my salmon has sundays date so i knew to pop it in the freezer as we probably wont have it till mid week the driver also asks if you are happy with the dates and is happy to take stuff back which i have done with sandwich meats before

WeAllHaveWings · 06/04/2018 22:49

Tesco have a minimum shelf life days on their website. If it's under those days they'll bring it and ask if you want it, if you say no they'll put through as refund (and our drivers usually tell us to keep it anyway!!)

WineIsTheAnswer · 06/04/2018 22:58

Asda have the usual number of days next to the item online. If it comes less than that it says on the delivery note, the driver asks if it's ok, if not they refund. Usually they'll still give you the item.

Couple of days for meat isn't right, I would ring them or get it refunded online.

BrigitsBigKnickers · 06/04/2018 22:59

We had this once for a Christmas delivery 4 days before Christmas. Deliberately chose stuff that website claimed was going to be in date for both Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

My parents took the delivery and put it in the fridge as we were away. Arrived back at 3pm on Christmas Eve to find 3/4 of our stuff was out of date. Cue mad rushing round the shops closing in 90mins to replace it all.Angry

My one and only time using Ocado... Never again!