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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:
Sallycinnamum · 20/07/2020 15:03

I've been doing this for years.

I pay for tesco delivery saver so can book four weeks in advance.

I usually stick 5 bottles of fizz in and then amend the list the week before. I thought everyone did it!

zonkin · 20/07/2020 15:03

And as others have said, how am I to know what I am going to need in 3 weeks time other than the basics? The main thing is reserving the slot.

emmathedilemma · 20/07/2020 15:03

I thought this was how everyone did online food ordering......??

ellenpartridge · 20/07/2020 15:04

What?! 🤨 This is completely and utterly normal and nothing to be annoyed about. I've done it for years as has anyone I've ever spoken to about online grocery shopping (not that it's usually a top subject worth discussing!) It's not antisocial at all.

loulouljh · 20/07/2020 15:04

I am going to start now to avoid shops and the whole mask debacle...

Mustbetimeforachange · 20/07/2020 15:04

I need a slot (shielding) & can only get one 3 weeks in advance, do yes, I stick something in the order to hold it & then change it a couple of days before. If I did a full order I'd be changing everything.

Iwalkinmyclothing · 20/07/2020 15:05

But this has always been what people do. And the elderly and shielding who want slots can do the same thing, so they really aren't being disadvantaged, are they? (Unless I am missing something here). My mum and dad are not elderly (60s) or shielding but are in self imposed isolation until there is a vaccine and rely entirely on deliveries, and they do this. It's become a bit of a game tbh, my mum will ring or text to say "guess what your father used to hold the delivery slot this time" and we have to make increasingly stupid guesses until we get it :)

Floralnomad · 20/07/2020 15:05

I always book my slot for 2/3 weeks in advance , currently have the next 3 Wednesdays booked but I just stick in a couple of pints of milk and then sort it out 2/3 days before the delivery . If you don’t do it this way you are then searching for a slot when you need one . Everybody I know does it this way .

RhianFuckingMorris · 20/07/2020 15:05
Hmm

Is this an actual thread?

MashedPotatoBrainz · 20/07/2020 15:06

YABU I wish I could do this but where I live you can't. Our supermarket unbooks your slot if your account in inactive for 30 minutes after booking it. Stresses me no end, despite not even having a shortage.

Redglitter · 20/07/2020 15:06

I do still think shops should be a bit tougher at the moment though because the slots are definitely getting harder to come by

Why on earth would the shops get tougher? They're a business. As far as the slots are concerned I'm sure they don't care who has them. Just checked my Tesco app and its showing slots available every day between today and Aug 16th.

I've got slots booked for both my Mum & i for the next 4 weeks. Filled with random stuff to take it over £40 & ill tweak it nearer the time

CazM2012 · 20/07/2020 15:06

We need a slot every week (and even then have to top up mid week especially now there is a max number of items Sad) I book 4 weeks in advance, have done for years. I remember the days of not having to think so far ahead but that was a few kids ago Grin if I do that now we run out of food quickly

IncrediblySadToo · 20/07/2020 15:06

WTAF are you on about 'selfish'.

How is it 'selfish' ?

It makes zero difference what's in your trolly at any given point until it's past the cut off for changing it.

I book slots as far in advance as possible. I used to put what I thought I'd want in the trolley, then change it, but I it takes time both times, now I put two bottles of rum in there and do the proper shop closer to delivery.

How the AF does this impact on anyone else? (Clue - it doesn't)

I have been shopping for a shielding relative and get stuff for a friend most weeks (she has health issues & is trying to stay at home as much as possible), so that's 3 households of shopping sorted on one delivery slot, but even if it wasn't, so what? Tesco are a retailer, not a charity, I PAY for my shopping, it's not a donation...so bugger off with calling me selfish. Anytime you want to get organised too, feel free. Incidentally, my friend managed to get her own delivery shops the past few weeks and has got her delivery pass today, so no shortage around here!

Idiot.

zonkin · 20/07/2020 15:07

Another issue to consider is that the supermarkets are businesses. If all their delivery pass loyal customers who spend quite a bit per week for years are stopped from getting slots then those customers will walk away. And those that only want to spend a small amount during lockdown are unlikely to stay with the supermarket delivery service when lockdown is over. It's all about profit.

pannikin · 20/07/2020 15:07

I've done it this way for years. You don't know what's going to be in stock/change price if you book it two weeks in advance, do the shop then and don't amend it. Your post has just prompted me to reserve my next Tesco slot actually - just checked out two bottles of champagne, which I'll remove the night before and put what we need in.

Realityofsen · 20/07/2020 15:08

At the moment I reserve mine with a couple of cases of corona! I have no idea what I need 10-14 days in advance when they become available

Mustbetimeforachange · 20/07/2020 15:08

It doesn't need to be over £40.
On a different note, they've suddenly increased the delivery charge to a flat rate of £4.50. I've been paying £1 for my 8 hour priority slot...

lyralalala · 20/07/2020 15:08

@MashedPotatoBrainz

YABU I wish I could do this but where I live you can't. Our supermarket unbooks your slot if your account in inactive for 30 minutes after booking it. Stresses me no end, despite not even having a shortage.
You check it out. As if you are finished. Then go back in nearer the time and edit your basket.
DrinkFeckArseGirls · 20/07/2020 15:08

How does it make a difference to you if someone puts 3 vodkas or veg and meat in theit trolley - they still need the slot and will edit it before the deadline all the same Confused

Bargebill19 · 20/07/2020 15:08

Shops did react during the pandemic height. They refused to give delivery slots to anyone not on their government issued list - those who were asked to shield.
It’s only recently (last week in fact) that we’ve been able to book an on line delivery in our area - despite paying for an annual pass, working for the damn shop and both being key workers and one of us being at higher risk (not in shielding category).
So - YABU !!

turquoise50 · 20/07/2020 15:09

Ok I am laughing at myself because clearly I just haven't got the memo somewhere along the line, have I? Grin

I just assumed everyone was taking their chances with getting a slot, same as me! And yep, going out to buy extra top-up items if they ran out of something before their delivery came. 🤦‍♀️

Clearly I’m going to have to amend my shopping habits! I still think I'd feel a bit weird about putting in something which I didn't really want, JUST to keep the slot for myself though.

OP posts:
Jojo19834 · 20/07/2020 15:10

It is pretty common to do this. I used to do the ‘book on a Thursday for the Sunday’ but that went out the window when Covid came. I have had a weekly delivery for years so why wouldn’t I up my game and get my weekly slot booked? Should I miss out because you haven’t been more proactive?

Tumbleweed101 · 20/07/2020 15:10

I’ve always done it and more so over lockdown so I can be sure I will get the day and time I need. I live rural and it’s a long way into town. With delivery saver you can book up to a month ahead so I have all the slots I need booked up as far as I can.

DiscBeard · 20/07/2020 15:11

Eh? I thought everyone did this. I've done it for years!

princesshollysmagicalwand · 20/07/2020 15:11

YABU OP! Get with the program Grin we all do this!

I have a delivery every ten days, always have done (except for April when I couldn't get one at all). I book them three in advance, so a months worth.

I'm covered until 10th August, currently!

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