Waitrose Christmas slots

[IrmaBunt]

Just seen that Waitrose slots are open.

Apologies if there's already a thread, couldn't see one.

Thank you! Wasn't on my radar at all!

There would be no delivery service if regular users didn’t order week in week out.
The reward for paying for weekly delivery slots is early access for Christmas delivery.

I suppose so! But we should get the next release before the masses.

I've booked Saturday 23rd 5-6pm. Was tempted to go for a Christmas Eve slot, but couldn't face not knowing about subs till the Sunday morning.

Ocado tell me I can book a Christmas slot tomorrow. I have a midweek Smart Pass and I must be one of their longest standing customers now - 20+ years. I just copy across last year's order and edit it as often as I need to over the next few weeks/months. I won't be able to get Christmas Eve but I wouldn't want it. High risk! I want an earlier day so if anything is missing (rare) I could nip out and get an alternative from somewhere local.

Thanks OP, booked mine!

Booked! Phew.

Thanks for the head up. Just booked a slot. Amused to see Christmas Pudding already sold out.

Hmm, I think it might be regional as we have a weekly Waitrose delivery and I can't see Christmas slots yet.

I couldn't see Christmas slots either. I think I pressed on the Waitrose logo in the corner and then a window opened about Christmas.

Thank you, OP!

The Ocado website has some Christmas stuff available to order now but it's always wise to go back much nearer the time and update. I always order satsumas in December, for example, and they're not there at the moment as they're not back in season yet. I also tend to buy the non-perishable essentials and anything I can freeze as early as I can, so I can knock that off the big delivery just before Christmas.

I was wondering what Waitrose are like with their substitutions? I've used Ocado for 20 years now and am always so impressed with how few substitutions they make and how few missing items there are each week, but I really do miss Waitrose products. I've only ever had a couple of deliveries from Waitrose, several years ago, and wasn't very impressed with the number of things that were missing.

Thanks to this thread, I've just checked the ocado website and their xmas slots have just become available this morning.

They're still pretty bad for substitutions down in Cornwall. I can often can 6+ substitutions or just 'unavailable items' per order. It's really annoying. Also when they do substitute what they pick is crap. It's like they deliberately choose something inappropriate or much smaller than what I originally ordered.

I received an email this morning stating I was entitled to book Christmas Slots as a “best customer” 😂.
we do have weekly home
deliveries, so pleased we have been able to this year.
Got mine booked Friday 22nd, South Norfolk area.

Normally only get 1/2 substitutions a week, they’re all generally ok as well.
have never sent any back.

Thanks OP - Just booked mine for Sat 23rd - I could've booked any day any time locally. No other slots booked up yet.

Because people do home delivery at Christmas for obvious reasons? It should be related to Waitrose card spend.

No it shouldn't.

They generally release slots to regular customers first, semi-regular customers a bit later, and then anyone else. With some regional variation on release dates as well, it seems. This means that those people that are reliant on deliveries have an opportunity to book before a general free-for-all on slots ensues. And they don't miss out on a vital slot to those people fancying one over Christmas who don't use the service the rest of the year.

This also covers those people just preferring (and paying for) home delivery year round as you can't differentiate the two, but why should they not also get first dibs on what is an extension of their regular delivery?

Thank you got our slot and as I buy the main course elsewhere I'm quite happy with a 24th slot will fit just right.

livingthegoodlife · Yesterday 19:47

im never doing Waitrose again after they turned up without my turkey. seemed ridiculous that i had to pre order it as a entertaining order.mlnths in advnace and they just cancelled it. i panic bought a morrisons joint on Christmas eve. not happy.”

I like to pick my own. Surprises me that other people don’t.

Just came on to say the same. Logged on this morning to book a shop at the weekend and a Christmas slot was available. Not had a text or email about it so glad I spotted it.

I have gone for the Saturday so I can dash out on Xmas eve should anything significant not arrive.

I have stuck a bottle of champagne in the basket to meet the min order requirement and will remove if I remember once the Xmas items are available to actually order.
Hoping the veggie nut roast they’re saying is available from 13th December won’t have any mushrooms in it!

I’m not even going to bother reserving an Ocado slot this year. Their min order is ridiculously high and they never have what I want available until right at the last second, if then. Plus there’s an M&S food 2 mins from my office so I can just grab what I need in there when I finished up at work for Christmas.

Good luck to everyone trying to get a slot

For info, Sainsburys slots open to those with delivery passes this year on 16 October. (I've booked my Christmas Waitrose slot, but do my Mums online shopping for Sainsburys)

m&s Christmas slots are open too. got mine done!

@MrsMitford3 Ocado slots are now open for some customers!