Ocado...anyone knocked off their usual slot?

[EmpressoftheMundane]

Ocado is back up and running. After two weeks of weird deliveries with no means to edit my basket or even cancel, they have let me back in.

I see that starting in April my order is cancelled. When I try to reschedule, nothing is available. Is this happening to anyone else?

My reserved slot for Friday failed. Luckily I have 1 coming tomorrow which will keep me going for a while but I'm not sure what to do now. I have 4 of the underlying health conditions so I'm being ultra careful. I've emailed ocado to see if they're putting anything in place for the elderly and vulnerable but I don't have much hope.

I guess I will be relying on the kindness of strangers for the foreseeable.

It's almost certainly to give priority to delivering to vulnerable. I expect those with regular slots will be given next priority.

I am an Ocado customer, and have as yet heard nothing from them, even though I have emailed about bring super-vulnerable (questions you which I have received no answer, even though I first asked over a week ago)

I do not see how they can possibly have identified super-vulnerable customers yet. And before the ‘proof’ letters are issued, it may not be possible to identify yourself in that category (even though I could easily prove I have leukaemia, a condition which is very clearly on the list for everyone living with it)

Yes, knocked off my slot with none available either. It'll be interesting to see how this pans out. I'm all for more vulnerable people getting priority, so if that means losing our place, then we'll deal with that when it happens.

I was wondering too if Ocado will move to prioritise the vulnerable off the list the government released. My DH and 1 child are classed as super vulnerable and I’ve been an Ocado customer for ever. It’s very upsetting not being able to get a delivery. We have letters to prove everything ready too. I could go out for food but quite frankly I’m terrified to do 😞

I really hope they cancel all of the regular weekly slots that some customers hold. It's just not appropriate in the current situation to continue with it. They need to do what Sainsbury's have and only offer priority in booking slots to the elderly etc. My DH has asthma so I'm the only one leaving the house at the moment, but as I can do so I'm happy to physically go and do a shop instead of stealing one from someone who isn't able to do so.

I do hope those who continue to get regular slots who don't need them at least feel a bit of guilt!

@keentohelp
I’m not sure I’d call it stealing but I agree with what you’re saying. I’m youngish and in good health but I’m not going out at ALL for fear of bringing it home to my DD and DH.
I’m pretty sure Ocado are moving with the times and will have to do something this week.

I've cancelled a slot I booked a couple of weeks ago. I don't need it. Unless you are elderly and or very vulnerable give up your slots to not do so is the height of selfishness and endangering lives.

I’m staying in with three children. DH it’sa front line key worker. I am also using my slot to order for my PIL who are vulnerable. I have been an Ocado customer for years and would be pissed of if they cancel my spot.

Forgive the typos

I had an email from them saying they had identified me as vulnerable and I can have priority slots!

I’m not vulnerable and have emailed them back so they can free them up for others but I’m rather betting that not everyone will do that...

@vera99 and @UncleMatthews

That is so very kind and unselfish of you. Thank you so much. This situation can really bring out the worst in some people but clearly the best in many thank you 🙏

They said on Twitter (in response to someone) that the Reserved slots may not be honoured at this time if there is no availability at the time their system would place the order. Usually the Reserved order is automatically placed I think 6 or 7 days before it's due to arrive, it sounds like they are releasing slots to general booking before that time so there aren't any left a week before... I doubt they are going to the vulnerable, just anyone lucky enough to be online at the right time to book one! For example people with Saturday and Sunday orders last week had access to the website late last week when the rest of us didn't...

Finding their lack of communication very frustrating! Other supermarkets I don't even shop with seem to email me on a daily basis with updates.

Thanks @fedupfrida am off to volunteer today as I am fit and able -I think we will see more simple acts of kindness than the opposite because there are far more good people in the world than bad as the rewards for kindness are love and that is priceless.
covidmutualaid.org/local-groups/

Fedup- yes stealing is perhaps too strong a word. Do hope some healthy, able bodied people with regular slots read this though and give up them up! I am aware that visiting the shops myself increases the chance of infecting both my DH and 4 month old DS, but there are other more vulnerable people who need home deliveries much, much more.

I just want to know what is going on and why so I can respond appropriately.

That vulnerable people need the slots most doesn’t really need a debate, it’s obvious!

@viccat

The access for orders over the weekend was to edit those orders only. You couldn't even ADD anything to your order, only delete items no longer required, never mind book a new delivery.

I understand why older and vulnerable people have priority and obviously agree but I worry about NHS workers too. Not sure what the solution is.

What about families who are supposed to be self isolating for 14 days because someone has a cough? The list goes on and on.

I think a lot can be done to expan

....expand capacity of grocery delivery. I just want to understand what’s happening while they adjust.

I'm a Tesco customer, a regular orderer of online groceries.
I booked a slot three weeks ago and now it's cancelled without an email or warning.
Have a vulnerable DC and was also shopping for neighbours.

I can see families breaking SI.
If it's a choice between starving (and I've seen some scary stories on this) and breaking SI then I can see why families would be driven to desperation.

They also emailed me and said that they had identified me as vulnerable. There are indeed 2 people in my household who are vulnerable, but obviously neither have yet received the 'official' letter from the NHS as these are only being sent out this week.

I would rather like to know where they are getting their information from.

I have received a text from the NHS confirming I am in the shield group, but do not have the actual letter yet

Nothing from Ocado, even though I have emailed them to ask how to register as highly vulnerable