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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want my food shop delivered during the a slot I booked?

185 replies

IcedCoffeeAlways · 11/10/2021 11:26

Out a walk with DS sleeping the pram this morning and I get a call...it’s the Morrison’s delivery driver. He’s outside and there’s no answer at the door. Well, that’s because I’m not in and my delivery is scheduled for 12-1pm. He’s called at 10.35am.
There’s me then having to rush home (luckily we had just set out so we were only 5 mins away) but I live in a flat and had to then get sleeping DS out of the pram and into the house etc. Just a faff really.

VERY grumpy delivery man tells me I should be in if I’m expecting a delivery as he “doesn’t have all day” 🙄

I’ve had them being late before - these things happen but almost 1.5h early?!

OP posts:
Rubyupbeat · 11/10/2021 13:27

Sainsburys sometimes do this, but are totally fine if No one is in and come back later, never had a rude one.

LampLighter414 · 11/10/2021 13:30

@AutumnAlmanack

Slightly off topic, but I had a very weird substitution from Sainsbury's last week - I ordered a chicken mini roast and was given salmon en croute!!!
Presumably in the same 'range' of those stick in the oven in the foil tray type meals? So I wouldn't say it was that bad, but if you're not a fan of fish then frustrating!
MyCatHatesWhiskas · 11/10/2021 13:30

Sainsburys have got form for this in my area. If you book an evening delivery, they will turn up anything up to three hours early. Which means trying to unload a full shop in the middle of bath time- not ideal. When they’re literally on the doorstep and you’re in the house, you feel you can’t say no either. I asked one driver why it happens - so they can clock off early…

We have basically stopped getting evening deliveries for this reason.

Belladonna12 · 11/10/2021 13:31

I sometimes get a phone call to ask if they can come early but they don't usually just turn up. Ususally I say yes but not always. They are fine if I say we are not in.

TurnUpTurnip · 11/10/2021 13:31

Tesco has tracking in their vans, so that can be checked.

Well they weren’t interested in going to that effort to check. they told me the driver said he had came on time and they weren’t going to dispute that

minimecantrollerskate · 11/10/2021 13:32

I have been told in the past by Sainsburys, Tesco and Asda that they are not allowed to delivery early without checking with the customer first. I have never had one turn up that early but I agree, you book a time slot for a reason and they can't expect you to be there outside of those timeslots.

I used to book 7-8pm as I had to collect my daughter at 6.45 down the road, and if they were early they had to sit and wait. They always apologised for being early (Tesco).

I would try and get hold of customer services and ask them exactly what the terms are for the delivery slots.l

thepastisanothercountry · 11/10/2021 13:33

Tesco once turned up 3 hours early and by sheer luck I was in.... BUT in the shower. I assumed it was DP as he'd popped out for milk and had left his key on table by accident so answered door still soaking, some foam still in my hair and wrapped only in a towel. I though it would be a matter of seconds to let him in and frankly he'd not mind my lack of attire. Grin

They weren't even apologetic - OK so maybe I should have checked but I simply wasn't expecting my them at 7.30am when I'd booked for 10.30am. Luckily DP came back a minute or two later and took over

BobbiPinsOn · 11/10/2021 13:34

yanbu

skodadoda · 11/10/2021 13:35

@EverdeRose

I'd have told him to come back between 12 and 1. How utterly ridiculous
Whilst I have some sympathy if a driver asks to deliver early, on this occasion I would have given him short shrift because of his attitude.
HazelBite · 11/10/2021 13:38

ASDA are pretty good, will text if they are going to be a little late. only on two occasions have they arrived early but its never been more than 10 minutes.

WaterAndRichTea · 11/10/2021 13:38

You should of just told him to come back when your delivery is due!

What can people say here?

Milkbottlelegs · 11/10/2021 13:43

The driver's only job is to deliver as instructed.

I’m not sure that’s quite true. Most Companies I’ve used the delivery drivers call if they don’t get an answer. Some even call before knocking if they are early. I’ve never had a driver arrive early and not wait until the booked slot. But I have frequently had them turn up early, late and not turn up at all.

And they definitely should not be rude to a customer.

Phonelightmidnight · 11/10/2021 13:45

Tesco’s do this

TurnUpTurnip · 11/10/2021 13:47

@minimecantrollerskate

I have been told in the past by Sainsburys, Tesco and Asda that they are not allowed to delivery early without checking with the customer first. I have never had one turn up that early but I agree, you book a time slot for a reason and they can't expect you to be there outside of those timeslots.

I used to book 7-8pm as I had to collect my daughter at 6.45 down the road, and if they were early they had to sit and wait. They always apologised for being early (Tesco).

I would try and get hold of customer services and ask them exactly what the terms are for the delivery slots.l

They just get around that by saying they were on time but the costumer wasn’t in. 🤷‍♀️ Like they did with me, literally no one is going to check the tracking to see if they are lying.
Milkbottlelegs · 11/10/2021 13:47

@MyCatHatesWhiskas

Sainsburys have got form for this in my area. If you book an evening delivery, they will turn up anything up to three hours early. Which means trying to unload a full shop in the middle of bath time- not ideal. When they’re literally on the doorstep and you’re in the house, you feel you can’t say no either. I asked one driver why it happens - so they can clock off early…

We have basically stopped getting evening deliveries for this reason.

I don’t actually understand this. They will all run on software that includes route planners and specific times slots for each customer. I simply don’t believe they can make up that amount of time over the course of a shift. Makes me wonder if it’s drivers not waiting if a customer isn’t home and making up time that way when they get the chance.
DoubleHelix79 · 11/10/2021 13:48

We seem to be lucky with our local Tesco - drivers are almost always on time and if they are early they will call ahead. Substitutions are usually sensible as well, and not too frequent, even with the recent shortages.

RB68 · 11/10/2021 13:48

never had an issue with this using sains. I have had phone calls but never more than a hr early.

Standstheclockattentothree · 11/10/2021 13:54

Ocado once left my entire shop outside. They'd arrived early and as we were out, just dumped it. When I complained (still before the actual delivery slot) they did say least refund me for all the chilled and frozen food.

JumperandJacket · 11/10/2021 13:54

I'm always happy to have an early delivery if I'm in. Otherwise I just say no- I wouldn't go home specially.

I do feel sorry for supermarket delivery drivers though- it's a tough job and some customers are awful. I'm not surprised they're a bit grumpy sometimes.

1forAll74 · 11/10/2021 13:57

I have deliveries from ASDA, and they are sometimes early, but sometimes right on time. Sometimes I get notified, that the delivery time will be between , say 1pm and 3pm etc, so I am always prepared for whatever, as I live off road, and sometimes a new delivery person finds it hard to locate me.

SunshineCake1 · 11/10/2021 14:00

I'd have to report that for his rudeness.

I and Ocado come yesterday five minutes after the hour slot. He was also delivering next door for the hour after. No one had an issue with him delivering early.

SunshineCake1 · 11/10/2021 14:01

@Skyeheather

I would have done as you did, rushed home and taken the delivery. I would now be emailing/phoning Customer Services to complain. For some reason your delivery was loaded onto the van early and the driver instructed to deliver. It's not the driver's fault, it's something gone wrong at the store. The driver's only job is to deliver as instructed.
Except he didn't. He delivered 1.5 hours early. They know what time the slot is booked for.
megletthesecond · 11/10/2021 14:01

Yanbu.
Sainsburys always call me if they are running early to check if I'm home and would like it early. No hassling to get home if I'm not.

Brokenrecord3006 · 11/10/2021 14:06

Tesco just unpack it in a pile on our doorstep if we're not in. Not generally an issue until it rains or the frozen stuff starts defrosting...

longtompot · 11/10/2021 14:10

Not being unreasonable at all. What's the point of booking a time slot if they don't stick to it? That said, I've had a phone call from a Tesco delivery driver as they were going to be earlier than expected and asked if it was ok.