Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Was this delivery driver being rude?

73 replies

Swizzel · 16/03/2022 15:03

Hi all - not a big thing, but I know that it's going to bug me all day long.

I had a Tesco order delivered this morning. One of the items I had ordered was a small joint of beef (1.25kg) - what I got was a joint that was actually 2.5kg. Now, I realise that sometimes weights can vary, but in this case the difference in price was obviously double what I had intended to pay, and took me over my weekly budget. On this basis, I asked the delivery driver to take the joint of beef back as I didn't want it. His reply to me was "Yeah, it's not like you could cut it in half and freeze the rest of it, is it?"

I didn't manage to formulate a reply to his comment before he left, I have autism and can sometimes take a little while to process what people say. I was already flustered, trying to get the shopping out of the crates and into my bags by the front door as quickly as possible, as the driver was in a hurry (I'm disabled, so I was doing it one-handed whilst using my walking stick to balance). However, I've been thinking on it for the last few hours, and it's really bugging me. I think he was being rude, but don't know whether to complain, or whether I'm making a mountain out of a molehill.

For context, we usually have our Tesco order delivered on a Thursday morning when my husband is at home to unload it all. I could only book a Wednesday slot this week, and decided that I could manage to unload a small order on my own. Because of my health conditions, it's really difficult and painful to do it, so I wonder whether I'm just being over-sensitive?

OP posts:

RandomBasic · 16/03/2022 15:20

Op did you actually check the price?

If someone was getting double what they paid for, then said they didn't want it because it was too big, I can see them commenting on that.

Squeezita · 16/03/2022 15:20

Is it possible he knows the meat will end up being binned and he is just fed up of all the waste?

Not your fault though, and maybe he really didn't think you would want to freeze half because it's vacuum packed or whatever.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 16/03/2022 15:23

Ring customer services and explain about the joint, I've had similar issues. Ignore the bloke, he was narky but they're usually shattered, it's such hard work for crap money. Unless he does it again,in which case ring and tell Tescos.

PatchworkElmer · 16/03/2022 15:23

I think he was being sarky but I wouldn’t complain.

SartresSoul · 16/03/2022 15:25

They don’t charge more for substitutions so you’d have been charged for less beef in this situation getting half for free effectively. His comment was unnecessary but nothing I’d waste time thinking about.

Onlyforcake · 16/03/2022 15:26

I mean maybe he did mean that literally as in, you can't do that and freeze it because it was previously frozen?

Was it a substition?
I feel like I'd need a lot more context to the conversation. If he was actually trying to suggest a solution then he should have made that clearer.

It could be sarcastic.

Original poster

Swizzel · 16/03/2022 15:27

@TristramBrandy

Just seen the point about subs for meat.

Still, what would you like their response to your complaint to be?

If I were to complain, then the only response I would expect would be an apology for his rudeness.

I'm well aware that I overthink things and can take them too much to heart because of my autism, hence my post on here asking for other people's opinions.

OP posts:

SucculentChalice · 16/03/2022 15:30

Yes, its rude. Even being charitable and assuming the delivery driver thought you wouldn't be charged nearly double.

MichelleScarn · 16/03/2022 15:35

It's factual isn't it? Do Tesco not give you an email with what's coming before delivery including any substitutions?
Sorry but agree making something from nothing.

carefullycourageous · 16/03/2022 15:41

@Swizzel it was mildly rude IMO, but I personally really wouldn't complain about it.
I would complain about something really rude, but not something at this level.

I wouldn't require an apology, as I wouldn't be bothered by the remark.

BadBear · 16/03/2022 15:43

Tesco substitutions are charged at the lower price - worth remembering for the future because he actually made a good point.

I wouldn't complain about that to be honest.

Wynturphelle · 16/03/2022 15:47

Overthinking. Sounds like the delivery driver offered a suggestion. His way of communicating that might not have been ideal. Not everyone communicates the same way - wonder if he was autistic too?

Tippexy · 16/03/2022 15:54

@Wallabyone

The way it was phrased was definitely sarcastic - otherwise he would have said, could you chop it in half and freeze it? I wouldn't complain, but I wouldn't worry about it either-he was rude though.

Interesting, as I would say it definitely wasn’t sarcastic.

You can’t just cut a beef joint in half!

collieresponder88 · 16/03/2022 15:56

I think you must have too much time on your hands if this has bothered you enough to make this long post about it. Seriously let it go is it worth getting someone In trouble for even if it was rude ?

SheldonsStainedSpot · 16/03/2022 15:56

It does come across as a bit rude and sarcastic and as a fellow over sensitive person, it would have made me feel a bit down. I wouldn’t complain though because it’s minor in the grand scheme of life’s interactions and it could make things more awkward if you get him delivering again.

NewMum0305 · 16/03/2022 15:58

To me, it was sarcastic and it was rude. OP would have been charged more so was totally in her rights to send it back.

OP, I think you were justified in feeling how you felt but I wouldn’t waste too much energy on it - you might have caught him on a bad day. If you get him delivering again, and he has the same attitude, then yes, I probably would complain.

AntiHop · 16/03/2022 16:01

"Substitutions are charged at the lower price" is the new cancel the cheque it seems.

Hawkins001 · 16/03/2022 16:01

It depends on the method of how he said it, he may of said it as a suggestion of how to make the most of it, or yes it could of been him being a pickle

ChangeNameagain2 · 16/03/2022 16:04

collie I think you must have too much time on your hands if this has bothered you enough to make this long post about it

How rude did you miss the part where she explained her autism and thinking process? It is literally an explanation of why it would bother her!

Took · 16/03/2022 16:12

Jesus Christ. OP WOULD NOT HAVE GOT IT FOR THE CHEAPER PRICE.

It’s not even a long thread. That info has been mentioned several times.

Op, yes he was rude, and yes you were right to hand it back as it took you over budget.
I wouldn’t complain to his work though. He was a bit arsey but we can all be a bit tired or grumpy and make a rude comment at times. It's not okay but I think we've all done it, so I'd wish I'd have thought up something witty and scathing in reply. But it’s okay for you to be pissed off at him.
If he’s been sexist, or abusive, etc then I'd definitely be on the phone making a complaint!

BlokeHereInPeace · 16/03/2022 16:13

It could have been a sort of raised eyebrow 'well you +could+....' as if he's reminding you that you might have scored a freeby, or it could have been rude. I think that they can help you now, so maybe ask for that next time?

3001signon · 16/03/2022 16:19

@BadBear

Tesco substitutions are charged at the lower price - worth remembering for the future because he actually made a good point.

I wouldn't complain about that to be honest.

It wasn’t a sub!!

The joints generally have this when you go to select them.

Pickers don’t have time to sort through 20 odd joints to get the exact size you want, they are timed on their picking speed.

ukborn · 16/03/2022 16:20

Next time hand the guy/gal a bag and get them to help you pack up! I'm not disabled and I do this, though half the time they offer.
But you are overthinking it - it's not his business why you are rejecting something, but what he said did make sense.

ouch321 · 16/03/2022 16:21

Not rude.

He wasn't being sarcastic- it's not like a 6 chunk bar of choc where you can just snap 3 pieces off...

He was sympathising with the crappy substitution.

1forAll74 · 16/03/2022 16:28

If Asda send a substitute, the price will be the same as a cheaper thing that you may have ordered...
I think your delivery man, was just having a quick fire joke really.. You have to have a sense of humour doing jobs like this,

I ordered some cheapo type of wine a few weeks ago, it was about £6, but out of stock, and Asda sent me some similar type of wine, that was about £14, no extra charge at all

Flip

1 2 3

Swipe left for the next trending thread