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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To expect Tesco delivery to be on time

176 replies

Mellowyellow222 · 12/02/2022 22:01

So I know this is a minor issue. But - I pay £4.50 for a one hour slot for my Tesco delivery.

About 50% of the time I get a call on my mobile about an hour earlier from a stroppy delivery driver telling me he is at my house and there is no one home. I remind them of the time of my delivery every single time and they still seem to think I am in the wrong.

I always try my best to be home half an hour before my slot, but my weekends are busy and I pay extra for the one hour slot for a reason.

Am I the only one this happens to - it’s the ride attitude that really gets me - as if I am in the wrong to not be home one hour before I ordered the delivery.

OP posts:
OnTheBoardwalk · 13/02/2022 12:09

PS For anyone who doesn't use Tesco, all the slots are the same price these days. They used to be different depending on the time of day. I use a delivery pass (more or less paid for using Clubcard points) so it's all the same to me

@misspercy this isn’t correct. For occasional shoppers at Tesco like me who don’t want a delivery pass then the delivery price ranges from £2 to £7. I'd be annoyed if I didn’t get the slot I’d paid for

DietrichandDiMaggio · 13/02/2022 12:29

@shrunkenhead

Just book an early slot and have your nap after. I usually get my delivery first thing 6am.
Why do you think the OP is having a nap? Or are you suggesting she gets up early in the morning and then catches up her sleep with a nap during her preferred delivery slot? If so, that's ridiculous.
Florenz · 13/02/2022 12:44

If they are stating guaranteed delivery time on the website they shouldn't be - and it's probably worth complaining. No company can guarantee a specific delivery slot for only £4.50. The drivers will do one delivery and move onto the next one. To give an absolute guarantee of a time you'd have cut down on the number of deliveries being done in a day which would mean hiring a lot more drivers, buying a lot more delivery vans and the price would have to be much more expensive.

Mellowyellow222 · 13/02/2022 12:50

@shrunkenhead

Just book an early slot and have your nap after. I usually get my delivery first thing 6am.
The earliest slots where I am are 8am - this doesn’t work for me because I work during the week, and I have plans at the weekend.

It’s o a very specific solution - I am assume you are trying to imply that I am lazy?

OP posts:
NeverTouchWarmPants · 13/02/2022 13:07

@shrunkenhead

Just get home early.
🤣😆🤣
Florenz · 13/02/2022 13:27

One of the main problems with this country is people expecting an amazing service for a very small price, companies feel they have to make promises they can't keep in order to compete and everyone ends up angry and stressed. If you pay £4.50 to have shopping delivered, a date is about all you can reasonably expect. If you want it delivered at a specific hour, shops would probably needs to charge £10-15 if not more to be able to facilitate this. But that would put home delivery out of the price range of a lot of customers. It's the same with deliveroo, amazon and a lot of the "conveniences" that people have come to expect by right.

Mellowyellow222 · 13/02/2022 13:55

@Florenz

One of the main problems with this country is people expecting an amazing service for a very small price, companies feel they have to make promises they can't keep in order to compete and everyone ends up angry and stressed. If you pay £4.50 to have shopping delivered, a date is about all you can reasonably expect. If you want it delivered at a specific hour, shops would probably needs to charge £10-15 if not more to be able to facilitate this. But that would put home delivery out of the price range of a lot of customers. It's the same with deliveroo, amazon and a lot of the "conveniences" that people have come to expect by right.
I really don’t think this is one of the main problems with this country! Poverty, inequality, child hunger etc etc.

How supermarkets chose to prove delivery services really isn’t in the top ten.

I am quite sure Tesco’s have priced their delivery service as profit making rather than loss making.

OP posts:
sunshinelover69 · 13/02/2022 14:05

This drives me nuts too. Most of our delivery drivers know we WFH and think that means they can turn up when they want. I book a delivery slot to fit in with my meetings. The other week they turned up in the middle of a meeting and I had to send them away. I've asked several times for a note to be put on my record that I'd like a phone call first if they're going to be early to check it's ok, but it never happens.

Am surprised at the number of posters thinking the OP is being precious. If Tesco don't want to keep to time slots then why don't they just have a 'book a day' option? Then people could choose whether or not to use them.

Wafflesnsniffles · 13/02/2022 14:05

This often happens because the driver is in the area. It makes sense to deliver yours a bit early rather than drive miles across town to someone else and then miles back again for yours just to hit your specific delivery slot. Inconvenient for you yes but better for the environment. And a whole lot easier for the driver. Ive actually moved my regular slot from 11-12 to 10-11 as they so often arrive at 10:40.

SazCat · 13/02/2022 14:10

@sunshinelover69

This drives me nuts too. Most of our delivery drivers know we WFH and think that means they can turn up when they want. I book a delivery slot to fit in with my meetings. The other week they turned up in the middle of a meeting and I had to send them away. I've asked several times for a note to be put on my record that I'd like a phone call first if they're going to be early to check it's ok, but it never happens.

Am surprised at the number of posters thinking the OP is being precious. If Tesco don't want to keep to time slots then why don't they just have a 'book a day' option? Then people could choose whether or not to use them.

Sainsbury's do something similar, you choose a 4 hour slot and it only costs a pound or two. I often use it if I know I'll be in most of the day
TheHaka · 13/02/2022 14:23

When you book an hourly slot it's probably a 2-3 hour slot. It will depend on how many customers, how far apart the customers are, & traffic. You may have a busy weekend, but so does the delivery driver. I book very early, or very late, that way my early delivery's on time, & my late delivery's early. Of course it's an issue, but you can always get your own shopping in or try ordering form somewhere else.

Graphista · 13/02/2022 15:09

I've had this with all the online supermarkets at some point. Very annoying

I am disabled and a certain amount of prep needs to happen before I can sort a delivery inc timing painkillers so they're working and not wearing off too much during the delivery

I'm with Tesco now and I have on the delivery instructions "NO early deliveries" and I've had to call to complain several times before they fully took it on board!

BTW having a delivery pass doesn't mean I get "free" delivery it means I've paid in advance to get cheaper delivery I'm still paying!

In any case my contracted delivery slot should be adhered to!

On the odd occasion they've run late due to forces absolutely out of their control like crazy weather which is fine and understandable

But yes the drivers that try and deliver early DESPITE a one hour slot AND the delivery instruction AND then get arsey with we customers need to cut it out!

And yes I do raise it with the drivers that they've ignored instructions and the set delivery time and if they're arsey dicks about it I DO complain about them!

The majority are great, helpful, polite deliverers but there are a few who are definitely in the wrong job!

@Accidentgirlfriend interesting to know. I have noticed one particular driver who did this a lot AND had a terrible rude lazy attitude (he even actually said to me a customer - I didn't know him in any other way - that he hated his job) doesn't seem to be working there any more whether that's as he found another job or was let go I don't know.

I've worked in customer service for roles and however much you hate your job you don't tell customers that and not bother to do certain elements of the job or complain about them!

@RedCandyApple unfortunate quality of service tends to vary regionally. I've not been too bad here. I've had friends/family in other areas report both better and worse service

Asda I've had issues with too

Morrisons I ordered from once during lockdown. Stuff was out of date, poor quality etc AND the driver was super grumpy and instead of actually properly coming to the door he literally threw the bags onto the close landing towards my door resulting in a number of items getting burst/damaged! Dick!

Didn't order from them again

I don't bother anymore and just go and do the supermarket shop myself.

Not everyone CAN do this I can't

Yes I've had those calls but never has the driver been stroppy. Maybe it's your attitude towards them that makes them that way?

1 I've had the same experience as have many others it's not always the customers attitude that "makes" them stroppy unless you're inc customers REASONABLY. And politely refusing an early delivery

I usually say something along the lines of "unfortunately I can't do that as I'm disabled and I'm not ready for you. Please come at the booked time"

In the majority of cases drivers that try the early delivery crap DO get stroppy! As if how dare a CUSTOMER inconvenience THEM!

The aforementioned terrible driver used to actually make comments like "but I wanna watch the match and it starts at x time (half an hour before my slot how he was gonna do his other deliveries I don't know) or "but I promised I'd be home by x time" (again how this would have affected other deliveries I don't know as I knew I wasn't the last one)

2 unless a customer is actually abusive or way unreasonable you don't get "stroppy" with them!

Wondering how everyone on here would feel if they were the actual delivery people, with apologies to anyone who is.

As I say I've worked customer service roles - you do the job with good grace and WITHOUT the attitude that customers have to operate at YOUR convenience!

Before lockdown I was with Sainsburys who I also had this issue with when I was first with them until I escalated the last complaint (2 HOURS early!) I made on this. I left them during lockdown cos they lost their Fucking minds! They cancelled deliveries without contacting costumers they shut down the app and site initially all together and they stopped responding to emails. They were AWFUL. Even when I was assigned vulnerable customer status (which was a battle) I still struggled to get delivery slots as did many others.

I do feel sorry for all shopping delivery drivers. They are doing their best under stressful conditions. They can't dictate how long it will take someone to sort their shopping on the doorstep.

Actually I asked about this as I'm not exactly fast myself and was told their system adjusts for the regular customers who are rurally located or on the top floor of flats with no stairs or where the customer needs a bit more time for various reasons.

I was also told they have customers a lot slower than me with no reason to be! Just "faffers"

FuzzyPuffling are you really saying that everyone else is lying just because you don't have the same problem? Quality of service varies regionally and people are effectively telling you here that we have not had the same experience as you

swampytiggaa hi and thanks for posting

I often wonder would they be rude to a man

Me too - and I suspect not! Esp if they knew from previous deliveries he's a big burly sort!

Plus given different slots are different prices if I'd paid a higher rate because the cheaper ones weren't available then it arrived at a tine where I'd have got the cheaper rate I'd be a bit miffed if I'm honest. It's mot like we get refunded the difference is it

Excellent point!

Florenz

Oh come off it! They offer the service on the basis of customers being able to CHOOSE delivery slots their marketing is heavily on the basis of what's convenient for customers. Being late due to genuinely unforeseen circumstances is one thing. Turning up ridiculously early at THEIR convenience is not on

If they can't on most occasions guarantee the 1 hour slot - they shouldn't sell it!

I am quite sure Tesco’s have priced their delivery service as profit making rather than loss making.

Ohhh yes!

Mellowyellow222 · 13/02/2022 15:16

@TheHaka

When you book an hourly slot it's probably a 2-3 hour slot. It will depend on how many customers, how far apart the customers are, & traffic. You may have a busy weekend, but so does the delivery driver. I book very early, or very late, that way my early delivery's on time, & my late delivery's early. Of course it's an issue, but you can always get your own shopping in or try ordering form somewhere else.
I’m not sure why I am getting g attitude here?

Yes I know delivery drivers are busy - but I have paid for service and there is no need for them to be rude.

I am aware that I can get my own shopping thanks. I just cam on for a moan about very rude delivery drivers.

OP posts:
CottonSock · 13/02/2022 15:20

Pay for the delivery plan yearly with your tesco vouchers.

JemimaMuddledUp · 13/02/2022 15:21

Mine is frequently early, and it's annoying. In fact it would be less annoying if I was out, but as I'm WFH I'm at home (I tend to book a weeknight 5-6pm slot and am working until 5). So annoying if they turn up 30 mins early and I'm in a meeting that I have to excuse myself from to answer the door.

Whatwouldscullydo · 13/02/2022 15:21

I think they fact we so often accept shit service with the bery British attitude of being all polite and gracious means we continue to get shit service.

I have found with most things delivery wise when u first sign up its great.

Then after u become a regular customer that's when things go pear shape..stupid subs, missing food, late or early deliveries. Stuff thrown at u and the quickest scarper ever . Your pizzas become greasy amd cold etc

I.mean it helps then to switch accounts..get someone ekse to sign up or change the email address registered etc

But soon enough it's back.to unreliable again

Mellowyellow222 · 13/02/2022 15:23

@Eightiesfan

I think this is more to do with the driver and possibly your reaction to his phone call. We have two deliveries a week and occasionally they will phone us to ask if it is okay to come early. The drivers are always very polite so my experience is vastly different.

Also, a couple of times I have been late to receive a delivery, and when they have called me, they have always been very helpful and said they will do the rest of their deliveries and leave us till last.

I live mumsnet - it must be my fault is a delivery driver is rude to me!

I get a call from an unknown number - I answer a grumpy voice tell me Tesco - I’m at your door and your not home. I explain, politely, that my order isn’t due for another hour or whatever it is - but I tell how long it will be before I can get home.

I do not see how their attitude is my fault?

But it’s mumsnet so I am sure I have done something wrong!

OP posts:
moocow123456 · 13/02/2022 15:26

Mine occasionally turn up 30 mins early and then they ring to check if we are in.

I'm normally home or on my way home anyway so it doesn't affect me too much but I totally agree that they should be delivering it in the time slot you have paid for!

One of the delivery drivers told us if he can deliver everything early then he can go home for the day so perhaps that's why they are so keen.

On another note, I pay £7.99 (I think?) each month for a delivery saver option with them as you can have however many deliveries you like a month so saves a fortune!

Whatwouldscullydo · 13/02/2022 15:29

We need to stop feeling sorry for everyone too.

I mean I hate my job. But without even the arsehole customers I'd not be there. I'd have no job. Im.sure a few dickehwds are preferable to being hungry and homeless. These jobs exist because of demand. I mean instead of feeling sorry fir them perhaps just don't order at all amd be one less person they have to worry about.

But why the sympathy for people doing a job they applied for knowing full well what it entailed and then don't wanna do it Confused

If you do it you keep a level.of professionalism about yourself. You don't become an arsehole and do your job badly

cocktailclub · 13/02/2022 15:35

@shrunkenhead

Just get home early.
Why should the OP get home early for a timed delivery slot?
DysmalRadius · 13/02/2022 15:35

In contrast, I usually have at least one delivery from Tesco per week - they generally turn up within the time slot and if they are going to be early they call to ask if it's ok to come before the slot starts (usually prefaced with a 'no problem if not' so I never feel under pressure). They are always friendly and the one time I was late home and missed the slot, they called and said that they would leave the delivery by the front door so long as I didn't mind, and collect the crates next time.

So it is possible and it's obviously not a company policy to offer such a rubbish service - I don't think I'm particularly lucky, I think you are probably just really unlucky that your local store is managing their delivery system so badly. In your shoes, I would complain and be explicit about the issues every time in the hope that others do the same and it triggers a review of their systems to make them more efficient. It's a pain though - you should just be able to rely on them turning up when they are supposed to, otherwise what is the point of the whole booking system?!?!

sunshineandshowers40 · 13/02/2022 15:36

This is why I changed to Sainsbury's. Tesco came early, we were out so didn't deliver our shopping. They didn't even bother to ring, just left a card.

ChazzaGirl · 13/02/2022 15:57

I only get a delivery from Tesco every 4-6 weeks and book an evening slot (normally 7-8pm) and I’ve rarely had any problems. The drivers are always really pleasant too. I must be one of the lucky ones!

There’s no excuse for a driver to be rude, and I’d definitely complain if they were.

Glittertwins · 13/02/2022 16:06

I've used Tesco delivery for over 14 years and have had relatively very few delivery issues. All but once they have phoned ahead for an earlier delivery as they were in the area and they've waited for me to get home to do so. The only time they didn't call was while we were in lockdown but we were still working - early delivery wasn't wanted due to meetings so I did call the store afterwards.

BABAHOTEL · 13/02/2022 16:06

I get a call from an unknown number - I answer a grumpy voice tell me Tesco - I’m at your door and your not home. I explain, politely, that my order isn’t due for another hour or whatever it is - but I tell how long it will be before I can get home.

I do not see how their attitude is my fault?

*I do not believe they're all rude and grumpy!

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