To expect Asda delivery person to be fit enough to deliver my shopping

[Crybabyghoul]

They recently always send me a guy who can't manage it, I am two flights up, and I'm very grateful he does it because I'm not able to do it myself due to health reasons (otherwise I'd be getting it all from lidl myself), but he struggles so much I worry for his health.

I try to time the shopping for when my boyfriend is home so the person has someone to help them but its not always possible.

I feel like I'm being really horrible here because most of the delivery drivers are nice (this guy barely even says hi to me) and they never complain, I tip them and I'm not left feeling guilty.

He literally sounds like he's going to have a heart attack, and I feel really bad for him. Bearing in mind it's a weekly shop (£50) and does include cat litter and some bottles of diet coke, but it's not a huge amount.

I feel like emailing asda although the last time I did, asking them if the delivery could come towards the end of that delivery slot so my boyfriend would be there to help the driver, their attitude was "oh don't worry about it the driver will carry it all up for you anyway."

Sorry for the rant, I am feeling horrid. I feel like asda just don't care about their staff. They sent me an OAP once who genuinely could not manage one crate up the stairs, and another time I told the driver to leave the stuff downstairs and he left the bags strewn all over the hallway, tampons and everything falling out.

I feel like boycotting them altogether.

[stucknoue]

Tesco's bring the crates into my kitchen, apparently it's standard service from them.

[PerkingFaintly]

I hear you, OP. I use deliveries because of disability, too.

I use Sainsbury's and Morrisons, and both deliver into my kitchen (admittedly on the ground floor).

[Dyrne]

Wow, the amount of people on here happy to support disability discrimination is appalling.

The solution is to provide manual handling aids or a suitable alternative route, not prevent disabled people from holding certain jobs

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

I'm aware however I get it delivered currently as I'm unable to do it, what if I was permanently disabled?

I couldn't lift anything for two years after spinal surgery, and so had to get everything delivered to - it's awkward, but it does mean you rely on the goodwill of the delivery person to bring it up, and so you can't really complain. You'll just get a note on your account saying that your shopping should be left downstairs.

Is he getting the shopping up to you? If he is, and you're just feeling awkward because he sounds unfit and out of breath and you can't help, I think it's one of those things. He is managing to do his job and go over and above to bring it upstairs for you, and it may well be making him fitter in the process.

[Yabbers]

It sucks, but that’s their policy. He is doing you a favour.

It isn’t though.

If you were permanently disabled you probably wouldn’t live two flights up.

Sure, because when misfortune befalls you and your life is turned upside down like that, it is so easy just to sell your flat and buy a lovely bungalow on a corner plot, which happily is close to your supportive network of family and friends.

I have a friend who has two children with disabilities, living in a first floor council property. The eldest is five, that’s how long they have been fighting with the council to find them a suitable home.

[Proteinshakesandovieshat]

The poor man will also be loading the van up with all the drops he has at the start of his shift.

Theres equipment to do this. Getting out at a customers end is far more strenuous.

But asda do deliver to the door. Of he isnt capable, he needs to do ground floor deliveries only. We have those routes.

The fact is that he may not think it's an issue. Many of asdas drivers love that job because they get to be out and about, he may not want to move to a different role because one of his drops is difficult for him.

[Becca19962014]

A quick googled has shown there's a upsetting reason why delivery drivers were banned from going inside properties.

[Becca19962014]

Bugger, should add "in my aunts area".

[Yabbers]

Wheelchair bound now.

With a nod to another thread raging on about language, the term “permanent wheelchair user” is generally preferred nowadays.

(Although apparently I’m a “virtue signalling wokester” if I point that out!)

[summersherewishiwasnt]

If it’s policy to not bring to your front door the delivery service is not for for your purpose. Stop using them.
2 floors up, permanently disabled, how do you leave the flat? Arrange deliveries for when someone is with you. Tesco do one hour slots.

[Funguy]

I don't think it right you tip them! But.... there is a lot to be said for having a delivery agent who can carry. I say this is a disabled person that people MUST be able to do their jobs and no reasonable adjustment will enable this guy to be fit to carry!
My DH has had some driving lessons taught by a guy who was disabled... you would think yes fine, great. Except he kept falling asleep and when I checked my DHs manoeuvring, the man had told him he didn't need to learn it. Ok I said, how are you going to turn the car round?
Or park?
Or do a three point turn.
Also it transpired said teacher was falling asleep during lessons.
And he ended up in hospital.

[DexyMidnight]

OP I am so so far from a bleeding heart and I bloody hate the pious MN crowd ('you sound horrible OP' and 'try being kind') but even my cold heart wobbled at this post. This is a shit job with shit pay and no prestige - this man isn't doing it for fun. Its not like he's a cocky but ignorant paralegal who doesn't deserve his spot. Just leave him be.

[summersherewishiwasnt]

@Yabbers forgive me, not shit stirring I promise.
What is the issue with wheel chair bound v permanent wheelchair user. I don’t see any derogation in wheel chair bound. What am I missing ?

[SchadenfreudePersonified]

You shouldn’t be tipping them! You’ll get them fired if the store finds out. It’s classed as gross misconduct.

THIS ^

Sainsbury's was giving away collectable cards (Lego characters or something) at one time. We don't have any young children in the family and I asked the driver if they were any good to him - would his own kids like them. He said he would love to take them, but he'd get shot if he was found with them on his person at the end of his shift.

[ukgift2016]

I am shocked some people tip their delivery drivers :0 why?

[LizzieBananas]

Tesco will deliver to your kitchen.

[NormaLouiseBates]

OP, I would highly recommend using Ocado. As has been said, they will deliver your shopping right to your kitchen if you ask them to and the drivers are always, without exception (I've never had a grumpy one in all my years of deliveries!) cheerful, polite and helpful. Yes, your shopping might cost a little more but worth it if you can afford it.

[Proteinshakesandovieshat]

and they never complain, I tip them and I'm not left feeling guilty

Please dont do this. Though now he will expect it.

By accepting the tip, they are guilty if gross misconduct. A senior manager from head office was sacked for tipping her delivery driver. The driver wasnt as he was aware the person was a senior manager and said he refused at first but then felt he had to take it. Walmart has a policy, about not receiving any sort of gift or money from customers and suppliers and they are really strict on it. Therefore ASDA are. Head office isnt even allowed to accept chocolates from a supplier, without going through the ethics team.

Please do not tell anyone when you email that you tip. I am sure tipping does on, but as walmart are so strict on it, if its fines ti anyones attention, it wont work out well for the driver.

[Sparklingbrook]

Theres equipment to do this.

That's good then because not all supermarkets do.

[floribunda18]

I agree, OP, particularly as the recipient could be disabled and having the goods delivered to their door was literally the point for them.

Not that the person should be sacked, but could be reassigned to deliveries without stairs.

I don't tip delivery drivers.

[Yabbers]

@summersherewishiwasnt

No forgiveness required, questioning is always good!

The difference is “wheelchair bound” focusses on the disability, refers to the wheelchair as a bad thing. It’s better to focus on the ability and the wheelchair is considered to give freedom to the user.

[Bunnyfuller]

Missing the point, but having a heart attack doesn’t sound like anything. Being out of puff unfit does sound like something. Whilst the two may be related, it’s not a rule.

[Auldspinster]

When i used to get deliveries from Asda they'd only deliver to the main door of my block of flats, occasionally a driver might bring it up to my second floor flat but that was very rare.

[Awwlookatmybabyspider]

It sucks, but That’s their policy. He’s doing you a favour.

Since when it’s his job. .

[whattodowith]

If he isn’t capable, he should say ground floor deliveries only and not be assigned to your flat.