Tesco Delivery during Lockdown

[londonscalling]

I recently got a supermarket delivery for my very elderly father.

In the delivery instructions I asked them to leave the shopping on the doorstep and to social distance as he is very vulnerable.

My plan was to go round just before the delivery was due and help him take the things in and put them away.

When I got there the food had already been delivered and it was in the hallway. They'd arrived about 30 minutes early and, as he was confused, he let them in.

I know supermarket staff are doing a great job, but I'm pretty annoyed that they ignored my instructions.

None of us have been out at all since New Year, apart from seeing each other (we are in his support bubble). I therefore feel that they've put him at risk, which then puts us all at risk!

If my experience of Tesco is anything to go on I’m sure your dad’s health will not have been compromised. I’ve had regular Tesco deliveries for more than 12 months now and don’t think in all that time I’ve seen the same driver twice. Some have been more chatty than others but without exception they have all been polite and very respectful of distance. Some have worn masks but others haven’t which hasn’t bothered me because none of them have been in close proximity in an enclosed space.
Last year everything came in plastic bags, now they bring crates from the van and place them in the doorway for me to empty. They always go back to the van until the empty crates are ready for them to collect Deliveries have been early on several occasions but I have always been phoned to ask if it’s OK for them come.
I had absolutely no idea what to do the first time I had a home delivery so I imagine your dad wouldn’t have known what was expected of him when his shopping arrived. Whatever occurred I’m sure you are worrying unnecessarily - it’s unlikely that the driver will have done anything to put either himself or your dad at risk.

@Forrasee

I don't think you are being unreasonable at all and I used to be an online shopper for a big supermarket!

What's the point in having a special instructions slot on the order and making a big deal out of being able to deliver to the isolating and vulnerable if you're not going to do it?

Doesn't matter that he let them in, they turned up early, ignored the instructions and potentially put someone vulnerable in harms way. That's not ok just because of their wages or being busy or maybe thought it was the right thing. None of those are reasons to just fail to deliver what is offered/purchased/expected.

They turned up early, asked the homeowner where he wanted his shopping and complied.

It doesn't really make sense for vans of food deliveries to sit idle on the roadside waiting for delivery slot times if they're running ahead of schedule and the homeowner says it's ok.

They have to wear masks and I doubt he was in for very long. He could have left it outside for your dad to deal with or a neighbour could have come knocking making it even worse.
My DP works for Tesco as a delivery driver and sometimes the instructions don’t appear on the hand held devices.
If your not unhappy complain about it it’ll be logged if he turned up early and they will deal with it.

Presumably the front door was open while the delivery driver was bringing the stuff inside. Ventilation will have meant minimal risk.

Of all the things to be annoyed about OP you have chosen 'Tesco delivery driver helps my elderly father'. Have a think about that.

They should have rang if they were early he may have not been there. Though I get it all the time I finish work at 5pm home by 5:45pm latest if I walk really slow and chat before leaving, so i get a slot 6-7pm but have got home many times to them asking where I am.

You are being ridiculous . Driver did nothing wrong.

@smoothchange

Of all the things to be annoyed about OP you have chosen 'Tesco delivery driver helps my elderly father'. Have a think about that.

Totally agree.
This is a very sad post.

@smoothchange

Of all the things to be annoyed about OP you have chosen 'Tesco delivery driver helps my elderly father'. Have a think about that.

Yes this

I'm sure you will be there in advance for the next delivery. Unfortunate and supermarkets have much better delivery records than people such as Hermes.

Of all the things to be annoyed about OP you have chosen 'Tesco delivery driver helps my elderly father'. Have a think about that.

Totally agree.
This is a very sad post.

💯 % this

YABU. Driver was just helping and went have been in the house for long.

We get Tesco delivery and they come in crates that we unpack quickly and hand back. If you wanted it left outside it would have to be every item loose after the driver or your dad unpacked the crates and put everything down. Is that really a better option?

I think YABU. If I was a delivery driver and arrived at an address with am elderly man, I'd keep my mask on, ask him to step back and load it into the hall just inside the door. No way would I leave it outside if he is on his own and frail. You are visiting him, and unless you and your household are shielding 100% too, you are more of a risk to your DF than this delivery person who was there for 2 mins.
With regards to coming early, they are under enormous pressure. There are few slots available.

Have you thought if getting a NEST doorbell or similar. My partner has it for his parents. He sees who rings the doorbell and can talk to the people through the camera. It was great when an ambulance crew rang the wrong door at 6.30 am one morning...they had come to the wrong door and my partner was able to direct them.