What is an acceptable delivery time for a takeaway?

[User292]

If you order a takeaway on a Thursday night for two people, after how long of a wait would you call them or get a bit annoyed?

It depends a lot on whether they gave you a timeline. I’d call them about 20 mins after the time they said they were going to deliver.

Agree with PP. I would ring about 15 mins after the expected time of delivery

Within an hour I think

Ours always says it's going to be x is that ok? Usually 40 mins. I'd ring after 50.

Did they not say how long to expect when you ordered? It depends on the quality of food and distance, but where we live a reasonable wait is about 30-45 minutes. I'd be making enquiries after an hour, unless they'd pre-warned it would be longer.

About 20 mins after time given but if you just said as soon as possible they might prioritise orders that have specified a time so you could be in for a wait

We had ours delivered tonight, other half went out for a fag, we were tucking in and the guy came back saying we had the wrong food! Gave us ours and took the rest away. Effing and jeffing saying we must have known it was wrong. I had no clue what he ordered. Feel sorry for whoever's food it was but not my fault. Anyway I would chase them once it was 14 mins late,

Did they not give you an estimate? If not, frick knows. But if they did, I’d probably chase if it was 15 minutes late.

They said it would be with me in 30 minutes. But it still wasn’t here an hour later. I did end up calling them but DH was saying to call them after 40 minutes and I thought that was too soon. I called them after an hour and they said someone was on their way with it but it still wasn’t with us 20 mins later when the place is less than 10 mins away. Finally got it after an hour and a halfway. Surely it wasn’t THAT busy on a Thursday night?!

If they say 30 mins and its 1hr 30mins then dont go back!

I would ask for a refund if its that late.....

I’d have cancelled the order at the point they told you it was delayed. If I’d ordered on the likes of Just Eat / Deliveroo / Uber Eats I’d phone if it hadn’t arrived within ten minutes of the time they said it would. But we’re London, so there’s not really any shortage of drivers to deliver. If I’d ordered from our local really fantastic-for-food-but-less-fantastic-in-customer-service Indian place who deliver themselves, I just accept when I order that it will arrive when it arrives. May be 30 minutes, may be two hours.

We live on the outskirts on our town and the main road to us is quite often congested. We count ourselves lucky if takeaways arrive inside of an hour and would start getting twitchy at 1hr 30m. I never bother relying on the estimate they give on the apps.

depends on the Thursday night? was there a local sporting match on? We don’t have a ton of takeaway options near us. If there is a game on a weeknight the delivery times go sky high. People order food and watch the game at home.

Well it depends how long they said it would be I guess...

I would only order if the time for delivery was 30 minutes or less, and would only wait an additional 30 minutes before getting mardy. That said, me and DH always go and fetch takeaways because of bitter experience. Waited an hour and a half once, and then it was two thirds cold! 😬

I usually agree on a specific time. I ring in about 35 mins ahead of when I want it. If it was 20 mins late I'd ring to check they had not delivered it to the wrong address.

What was the outcome OP?

I'd say half an hour, maybe.

It came after an hour and 30 mins. I did call up to cancel it because I was annoyed but he said someone was already on their way to deliver it

We tend to plan well in advance, so usually schedule a delivery time rather than just asking for our food asap. It always seems to show up 5-10 minutes before the start of the delivery window, which is annoying in its own way.