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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To complain about delivery driver?

45 replies

Chipbutty67 · 13/03/2019 08:40

I had a grocery delivery scheduled for this morning. It was the 6:00 - 8:00 slot, and I saw the driver pull up just as I was leaving on the school run with the kids.

I went over to the driver and said, ‘I’m sorry, I’m just leaving to drop the kids. Would you mind taking the groceries to the kitchen, please, and my FIL will sign for them.’ I unlocked the front door and left.

I have to reverse off my drive and then had to wait for a bus to pass, so have to drive past my front door again to leave, and as I did I saw FIL struggling to carry in the crates of groceries, all unloaded on the front step, whilst the driver stood and watched.

I was so angry. My 70 year old FIL has had chemo and 2 strokes which have affected his balance in the last two years. He’s staying with us to recover from the latest and is far too polite to say anything but was really struggling.

I had to park the car, run back, unload all the groceries, making me late in the process.

I never ever complain, but I’m so angry. All the driver needed to do was to tell me if he couldn’t/ wouldn’t take the delivery to the kitchen.

I sorely regret not making the point there and then but FIL was very active before his illnesses and gets embarrassed at finding everyday tasks difficult, so I didn’t want to stress the point in front of him.

WIBU to complain?

OP posts:
Numptysod · 13/03/2019 08:41

Officially it up to driver Ocado driver I have doesn’t do it! Meh!

Fiveredbricks · 13/03/2019 08:44

It's up to the driver OP. Maybe dont book it for the school run in future.

TheHolySmirk · 13/03/2019 08:46

Driver's are not obliged to enter your home.

It was a bit daft to book a slot you wouldn't be there for.

Normally if a customer required special arrangements, you'd mention it on the order page.

BreakYourselfAgainstMyStones · 13/03/2019 08:46

You can complain, but I don't think you would get far, it's down to the drivers discretion. I think you just need to pick a different time to get shopping delivered so you're there in future.

Hope FIL is ok Flowers

needanappp · 13/03/2019 08:48

It may be the policy of the company that drivers aren't allowed inside the customer's home. It wouldn't be surprising as it protects them from possible claims of any damage done. If that's the case, your complaint most likely wouldn' be upheld. The idea of the slots is that you can book one suitable for you when you will be able to receive the delivery. I'd avoid booking it during the school run in future.

peachesandclean · 13/03/2019 08:48

You shouldn't assume they'll take it into the kitchen for you, maybe they can't for whatever reason, or maybe they just don't want to (and they don't have to).

Also agree with above, don't book it for a time when you know you'll be going out.

Stormwhale · 13/03/2019 08:49

Yanbu op, but the policy on this seems to vary depending on the company. I would contact then, explain why you are upset and ask if that is how they want their delivery drivers to behave. Sainsbury's always bring it in for my elderly grandparents, and put it all onto the kitchen side so they don't have to bend and get it out of bags.

Purplespup16 · 13/03/2019 08:50

Nope don’t complain! You don’t know what your FIL said to the driver. My FIL wouldn’t have let the driver do ANYTHING for him despite being ill himself it’s a pride thing.

adulthumanwolf · 13/03/2019 08:50

Some companies have a policy that drivers cannot enter your home.

Tensixtysix · 13/03/2019 08:50

He is a delivery driver. Delivers to the door. He's not your slave.

Wintersnowdrop · 13/03/2019 08:51

I think it’s a shame the driver didn’t do as you asked. What did he reply when you asked? Did he understand English? Hear you? I think it could have been avoided though if you’d chosen a different delivery time.

RMogs · 13/03/2019 08:52

I was told by a driver once (don't often get delivery as I am too fussy with my fruit and veg) that officially they are not supposed to enter the house, however the driver in this case did help as I was 30 weeks pregnant and supposed to be taking things very easy as I had had several bleeds, however my husband was also ill and due to have an operation the next day so we couldn't risk him doing himself injury either.

I think it helped that the delivery driver was also the husband of one of my childhood friends and was pretty sure I wasn't some psycho with knives and guns hidden indoors (a house locally has all sorts of samurai swords and knives on the walls, which may have led to the ruling that drivers don't enter houses for their safety)

Farmerswifey12 · 13/03/2019 08:52

I would phone and ask but be aware their policy maybe be just to deliver to the front door. Though s bit of decency from the driver would have been nice!

We use Tesco, a few times they have said is it just to go here? Meaning the hall. I always say kitchen please, and have never had a problem. Wouldn't mind so much if bags but going "green" and it also gets put into a crate you have to unpack, is definately not practical for it to be unloaded anywhere bar the kitchen surface

SamanthaJayne4 · 13/03/2019 08:52

He must have noticed FIL is not young. All the Tesco delivery people ask me if I want the shopping put in the kitchen. Not sure if they are told to or whether they are just nice.

ShatnersWig · 13/03/2019 08:53

YWBU as many companies don't allow their drivers to enter people's homes for very sensible reasons.

BabyDarlingDollfaceHoney · 13/03/2019 08:55

Did FIL say anything to the driver? You should've booked a slot you'd be there for really.

fleshmarketclose · 13/03/2019 08:55

It depends on which delivery service you ordered from as to whether they deliver to your kitchen I think. Morrisons and Sainsburys around here offer to take stuff through (I decline because of the dog) Tesco and Iceland only deliver to the door.

Redglitter · 13/03/2019 08:56

Most of the supermarket delivery T&C say delivery is to your front door. You'll probably find it's at the drivers discretion whether he comes in. You said you asked him to put it in the kitchen - did he say he would though? As pp said you don't know the conversation between him & your FIL. I cant see the benefit in complaining tbh

PrincessButtockUp · 13/03/2019 08:59

Did you pick 6-8 because you would have been there as long as he was on time, and do the school run after 8? If the driver was late, you may have a case because him being late had the knock on effect of you needing help to get the job done on time.

Otherwise I agree with those who said a different time slot would be better, because the driver may not be allowed into the house.

RestingBitchFaced · 13/03/2019 09:02

YABU- make sure your in when the delivery comes, or was it late?

FemalePersonator · 13/03/2019 09:06

YABU to book a time slot for when you knew you would be out of the house.

crimsonlake · 13/03/2019 09:06

There was recently a thread on delivery drivers and most posters said the delivery driver carried and helped unpack the groceries in the kitchen. I was astounded by this as I agree they are not slaves.

DoneLikeAKipper · 13/03/2019 09:06

Sorry but you’re being very unreasonable. Don’t book deliveries when you know you have to be out in that period, then leave it up to your sick FiL to deal with. That was completely on you. Some delivery drivers are on very tight schedules, if they cannot carry things in, they just can’t. Otherwise where does it end? Would they also be obliged to put the shopping away for the sick and frail? Delivery drivers are just that, they deliver. In future, either make sure to be there or put bags/your own crates next to the door so whoever’s in can just leave them there for you to sort on coming back.

FuckyNel · 13/03/2019 09:06

Maybe fil said no worries mate I’ll do it?

DullPortraits · 13/03/2019 09:07

You say your FIL was fit and healthy before and now finds it embarrassing to ask for help/ be helped etc do you think its possible the delivery driver offered assistance & your FIL insisted he could manage? I find it hard to imagine when you asked the driver to help he would not have just apologised for not being able to follow through with your request and instead watch your FIL struggle is all.

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