Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Tesco slots; am I missing something?

55 replies

Suki2 · 07/04/2020 13:32

My parents are both in their 80's and are self isolating. Both have asthma and my mother has a heart condition. I was a little surprised that they were not put on the most vulnerable list.

I did manage to get them a Tesco's slot 3 weeks ago but I haven't managed to get another one. I've stayed up until midnight on ten occasions. On the last four occasions I'm put in a queue around 11.50pm and when I get access to the site, between 12.08 and 12.28, all the slots are gone.

I've read today that Tescos has increased the number of its delivery slots but they say also say that they give priority to the most vulnerable. Has anybody got any of the available slots that are released at midnight? Could I be doing anything different?

OP posts:
dancingthroughthedark · 07/04/2020 13:35

In my area some have been randomly appearing late afternoon so might be worth trying tnen.

mamasiz · 07/04/2020 13:38

I am so infuriated with Tesco. I managed on one occasion to get a a lot by getting online at midnight. I went online again last night at 11.50pm and encountered the new queuing system. I was let through at 12.05 and all the slots had gone. I’m asthmatic, pregnant and have a very asthmatic child so going to the supermarket is out of the question for me. My parents are similar to yours - in 70s and 80s with heart and respiratory conditions but no letter from their GP.

Gluestick80 · 07/04/2020 13:38

Mine also appear random times during the day too. You just have to keep checking.

ArkAtEee · 07/04/2020 13:41

Have you registered them yourself on the extremely vulnerable list? That's the list the supermarkets are using. I think it's not too late to add them.

www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable

Iwalkinmyclothing · 07/04/2020 13:41

Asda seem to release them at random times- when there are a load of 'x's in the slots rather than 'sold out' messages, that seems to mean a bunch are about to become available

HostessTrolley · 07/04/2020 13:42

I’d try other supermarkets

Selfsettling3 · 07/04/2020 13:44

DH is on the extremely vulnerable list and we have delivery pass but still have not been able to get a slot with them. Luckily ASDA contacted us to offer a reoccurring delivery slot.

Original poster
Suki2 · 07/04/2020 14:06

Thanks for the input. In my parents' area the slots definitely appear at midnight; i have looked at other times of the day and as I said I'm often up around that time so can see they've come and gone!

I didn't know you could add yourself to the extremely vulnerable list. I don't think my parents would want to do that as their doctor has not selected them for this list so they think others are more deserving of the extra help; eg people with cancer. I'll speak to them about this.

Their main problem is lack of fruit and veg, although they have started growing their own.There are no farm shops delivering near them. I realize there are thousand of people in the same situation but it is so frustrating to not be able to help them.

OP posts:
Original poster
Suki2 · 07/04/2020 14:08

Mamasiz yes the experience you had last night is exactly the one that I have had, on multiple occasions. I wish you luck; I suppose some people get a slot.

OP posts:
ArkAtEee · 07/04/2020 14:08

Some people have been missed off the list accidentally. Have a look and see if they fit the criteria. It won't just automatically add them, they have to give their NHS number so someone is reviewing medical records.

HarrietOh · 07/04/2020 14:18

I was on Tesco yesterday looking for something and out of curiousity looked at the slots. There were 3 available for today, but no other days. I didn't use one as I'm not vulnerable so went to the shop, but keep checking as it seems random ones are appearing.

MsChatterbox · 07/04/2020 14:23

Once you get put through to the app, click onto click and collect and then back onto delivery. For some reason when I first go to delivery it says filled, then when I go back to them it shows as available.

Lumene · 07/04/2020 14:26

It won't just automatically add them, they have to give their NHS number so someone is reviewing medical records.

There is no way anyone would be able to do this without explicit permission.

Original poster
Suki2 · 07/04/2020 14:29

Thanks ArkAtEe. I've just checked the list; I don't know if their asthma would be considered to be bad enough to fall into the category of "severe respiratory condition". Probably not.

But still they feel very vulnerable. They don't want to go to the shops as if they catch the virus they feel their chances would not be good. The Government has told them to stay at home for 12 weeks on age grounds alone, but yet has not made any provision for them to get food.

OP posts:
Lovemusic33 · 07/04/2020 14:30

I have had the same issue, have stayed up trying to get slots at midnight and been put in the queue, haven’t been able to secure on. Last Friday (I think) tesco released a load of extra slots for this week during the day so do keep checking.

I have registered with Asda and waitrose too, sadly Morrison’s and Sainsbury’s don’t deliver here. Sign up to all of them and keep checking, hopefully you will eventually get a slot, if not a lot of local smaller shops and food suppliers are delivering, our local farm shop is doing click and collect.

ILoveAllRainbowsx · 07/04/2020 14:30

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

AccioCake · 07/04/2020 14:33

I only managed to get one the other week because there were slots showing on the desktop website, yet on the app there wasn't any. So I don't know if there's an issue with the app not updating as quickly as the website.

Bubblewings · 07/04/2020 14:45

I received an email from Tesco yesterday saying that they use the list from the Government stating the most clinically vulnerable and isolated people and that they have matched these results with thousands of existing customers who will have priority. I’m assuming all the big supermarkets are doing this and it is obviously essential to do this.
I think a lot of us will have to brave the shops...but really difficult for those who are medium/high risk, single parents etc.

DownyBuds · 07/04/2020 15:05

I think they’ve restricted the new slots now to those on the vulnerable list. I’ve never had a problem getting a slot at midnight until this weekend.

FamBae · 07/04/2020 15:06

Have a look and see if their town / village has a Facebook page, I have found mine invaluable and came across a post about a local market trader who is now doing home deliveries for fruit & veg, I also found lots of posts from people just wanting to help.

Iwalkinmyclothing · 07/04/2020 15:09

Can they sign up for the Morrisons boxes? www.morrisons.com/food-boxes/boxes

Redglitter · 07/04/2020 15:10

Same here DownyBuds. I've had no trouble getting a slot but over the weekend it was impossible. I've switched to Asda for now as I was lucky enough to get a slot with them & made it a recurring one. I do prefer Tesco but it's a huge relief knowing.ive got a slot guaranteed indefinitely

Portulaca · 07/04/2020 15:11

The problem we've found is that DH is the vulnerable one, on the government list but I'm the one who has the online shopping accounts, so they're not seeing me as vulnerable and we're not getting offered slots. I did fill in a form with Ocado to say I was shielding someone (DH & DS) bur they're still not offering us a slot. Still waiting to find out if Tesco will.

DH's sister is vulnerable too & hasn't been able to get a slot either.

HermioneWeasley · 07/04/2020 15:11

Have you looked at Morrisons essential boxes

I assume you’re not close enough to shop for them. Don’t they have any neighbours who could help, or community schemes they can sign up for?

MereDintofPandiculation · 07/04/2020 15:13

If they've had the NHS letter saying "stay at home for 12 weeks" I would assume it may be on a combination of factors, including underlying health reasons and effects of prescribed medicines.