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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

People 'reserving' delivery slots

895 replies

turquoise50 · 20/07/2020 14:29

I've recently discovered that apparently lots of people are 'reserving' supermarket delivery slots by just putting a bottle or two of booze which they don't really want into their trolley to take it over £40, and leaving it there for weeks! Then when they're ready to order their actual shopping they edit it and take it out.

Thus just strikes me as dishonest and really very selfish when everyone knows that delivery slots are still in very high demand. I tried to book on Saturday and the earliest slot I could get was Monday 27th. Last week there was a two-week wait and I had to order from my second-choice supermarket instead, where the wait was only a week.

I presume people are doing it the minute their order is delivered, to hold their regular spot for next time. Whereas I tend to be more reactive in my shopping habits, besides keeping a rolling list in my notes.

I feel a bit shocked, but at the same time realise that if I (pre-lockdown) would, say, order on a Thursday for delivery on a Sunday, because that happens to be my preferred day, it's effectively the same thing. But there wasn't a shortage of slots then, going to the shops was no big deal, and I was ordering stuff I actually wanted.

YANBU - it's selfish and sneaky and people shouldn't hog slots; in fact the shops should crack down on it by making it so that slots can only be held for up to a week, and/or make the trolley limit a minimum number of items, not a minimum amount of money. (I know some shops did this for a while but not sure if still continuing.)

YABU - it's really no different from ordering your full shop a few days in advance and editing it several times before delivery as you run out of different things.

(As a side question - when these people forget to update their order and 'accidentally' get a delivery of nothing but a £40 bottle of whisky that they don't even like, should I feel a certain amount of schadenfreude, or be even more annoyed by the totally wasted delivery slot? Or a bit of both? Grin)

OP posts:
pigoons · 20/07/2020 17:32

I add the regular items I will definitely need from favourites / previous orders and then edit a couple of days before delivery is due. But I usually end up editing a few times because items I thought we had loads of miraculously disappear.

I like to plan ahead and have slots booked in advance - it was hell on earth when we had to self-isolate as a family a a few days before lockdown started as we couldn't get supermarket slots because these were reserved for the vulnerable - only issue was we were vulnerable, young child and no family to shop for us. We could only ask so much of friends as they were exceeding their basket limits otherwise.

turquoise50 · 20/07/2020 17:32

@Moondust001

Actually I do have some mobility issues which prevent me from being able to drive, so deliveries are pretty much a necessity for me. I can pop out for a small top-up shop but not large items or a full shop.

As I've said, it was simply that I've been booking on a first available slot basis for years, which has never been a problem until now, possibly because of the slots I chose, possibly because of low take-up in my area. In view of everything I've learned here today, honestly I have no idea how I've managed it for so long!

My original comment was made in the belief that most people shopped my way and that it was a minority of people commandeering slots and thus making it harder for everyone else. It's not something I chat about with friends, so the subject never came up and I had no reason to think anyone was doing anything differently to me. Clearly, this was a misunderstanding on my part, for which I've apologised.

OP posts:
FreakStar · 20/07/2020 17:33

Ocado actually told me to do this!

justkeeprunning5 · 20/07/2020 17:33

(Christmas aside) Pre Covid I probably placed an order a few days in advance like you depending on our plans but since I’ve known we would be home almost 24/7 to take delivery of orders and would always be at home for every meal I order as far in advance as I can.

Due to a lack of organisation on my part I’ve been paying for both a Tesco and Ocado smart passes for years so I alternate between them depending on availability and have a delivery every 10 days or so from one of them - not both. So usually 3 deliveries a month. Now organise my slot as far in advance as possible by putting a few bottles of wine or whatever in my basket, checking out to confirm the slot and editing closer to the time. I know that many people can’t book that far in advance due not having a smart pass for deliveries, but around here (south east) there are lots of slots available now so it just makes sense to do this. Can’t remember the last time I did a proper shop in a supermarket, we do Tesco metro etc for topup of the odd bits we run out of but generally I know that whatever I order will last me 7-10 days so organising deliveries in advance isn’t an issue.

fatgirlslimmer · 20/07/2020 17:34

@turquoise50 Because, in my world, I'd order 3-4 days before arriving back from holiday and would therefore know what I needed?

So you book your slot 4 weeks ahead pop something in your basket, doesn't have to be champagne it can be your basic or bulk shop. Then 3 or 4 days before you come home you amend your basket.

I have amended my grocery basket while lying on a beach quite a few times. I call it planning ahead.

But yes it is a bit like if you can't beat them, join them and become a shopping slot blocker.

Viviennemary · 20/07/2020 17:34

Thats really cheeky and selfish. I don't bother much with online shopping as we are perfectly capable of going to the shops. Leave it for the elderly.

ImNotChangingMyUsernameAgain · 20/07/2020 17:35

Yep, I always do this too. I have a regular slot on a Tuesday that fits in with the school run and I work out what I want / need nearer the time. Last week I missed my deadline and this is what my shopping consisted of...

People 'reserving' delivery slots
heartsonacake · 20/07/2020 17:38

@Viviennemary

Thats really cheeky and selfish. I don't bother much with online shopping as we are perfectly capable of going to the shops. Leave it for the elderly.
Don’t be silly. If only the elderly used delivery slots supermarkets would have to stop delivery altogether as there wouldn’t be enough demand.
bruffin · 20/07/2020 17:38

i get emails from Ocado telling me my next slot 4 weeks in advance is open and book now.

Mydogisthebestest · 20/07/2020 17:39

@Viviennemary

Thats really cheeky and selfish. I don't bother much with online shopping as we are perfectly capable of going to the shops. Leave it for the elderly.
I use it because I live rurally and have limited mobility.

But I’m not elderly so does that mean I shouldn’t? Of course not. There are many reasons why people might want to use online delivery - young kids and don’t want to trail round Asda for a start.

JamesArthursEyelashes · 20/07/2020 17:39

ImNotChangingMyUsernameAgain

🤣 That looks pretty bloody good to me right now. 🤣 Gin 🍫

Wasabiaddiction · 20/07/2020 17:39

I've always done this.

I use my husbands favourite whisky so it's no big deal if I forget to take it out or I forget to edit.

Dreamingofkfc · 20/07/2020 17:41

I don’t really understand why people select an expensive bottle of drink. You can put in there any item to save the slot, then the minimum spend charge comes off when you edit and add more stuff. Can’t see how this is cheeky as Tesco only allows you to book two slots at a time so it’s not like you can book loads and hog all the slots

cologne4711 · 20/07/2020 17:41

There is no shortage of slots in my area now(unless it’s Ocado

I saw this and went off to Sainsburys to see if they had any slots this week. Doesn't let me see weeks 2 and 3.

And the answer was a big fat nope.

I don't need a slot but if people are reserving them in the way the OP describes, they're meanies.

EasterBuns · 20/07/2020 17:42

This thread reminded me to go on and book my three weeks time Tesco slot so thank you.

LolaSmiles · 20/07/2020 17:42

YABU
I know I need to shop in a fortnight but don't know what I'll need, so I add the things I buy every week and then go in the day or two before the collection/delivery and add the rest.

Why should I be disorganised?

heartsonacake · 20/07/2020 17:42

I don't need a slot but if people are reserving them in the way the OP describes, they're meanies.

No, they’re sensible and organised.

BlueJava · 20/07/2020 17:43

YABU - this is exactly what we do. Book a slot, chuck something in the basket (but not alcohol - it's doesn have to be < £40) and save it. Then edit it nearer the time. It's called planning ahead. No idea why you think it's cheeky/weird/shouldn't be done.

cologne4711 · 20/07/2020 17:43

(I could get click and collect though later in the week)

But I’m not elderly so does that mean I shouldn’t? Of course not. There are many reasons why people might want to use online delivery - young kids and don’t want to trail round Asda for a start

I think the pp probably used "elderly" as a catch-all for those who need a delivery.

However those wanting to avoid a family outing to Asda could use click and collect.

cologne4711 · 20/07/2020 17:44

No, they’re sensible and organised

No, they're mean if they don't need it. If you want to avoid the supermarket (eg young kids, busy, vulnerable), use click and collect.

Leave the actual delivery slots for those who need them.

CrowdedHouseinQuarantine · 20/07/2020 17:45

when lock down started despite me having a delivery saver i could not get asda as normal.
i got tesco
then i got morrisons,
sometimes i have resorted to click and collect.
and you couldnt book up much in advance

i never used to have 3 fridays booked in advance but I can now, So I have

cologne4711 · 20/07/2020 17:45

Pre-covid it was sensible and planning ahead (though you didn't actually need to do it other than at Christmas, as you could always get a slot).

At the moment it is selfish and unnecessary if you are preventing those who need slots from getting them.

Namechangedjustforthispost1 · 20/07/2020 17:46

Thanks, you've just reminded me I need to book my next delivery slot. I've done this for years. Book the slot with a bottle of whisky, then amend the night before. Due to Covid you now can't book more than 1 slot a week and can't book more than a week ahead so I don't see how it's a problem to anyone else. I book my slot for the follow week as soon as my shopping has been delivered but I have no way of knowing what I will need in a weeks time so Whisky it is :-)

CrowdedHouseinQuarantine · 20/07/2020 17:46

I have always hated supermarket shopping, so for the past god knows how many years i have had it delivered

Coronabegone · 20/07/2020 17:46

I do it and you're free to do it, how can it be dishonest? I know I'll need a full weeks shop by the time it arrives, so I just add as I go along.

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