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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:
AlmostThereKeepMoving · 07/04/2020 15:14

You can’t add yourself to the extremely vulnerable list.

You can register on the Gov website for additional support.

AlmostThereKeepMoving · 07/04/2020 15:15

@Portulaca try changing your details on your shopping accounts. Use your DH’s name. Someone else did that on another thread and immediately was able to see new slots.

AlmostThereKeepMoving · 07/04/2020 15:16

@Suki2 Tesco website kept me waiting in a queue until 00:15 last night. However at 00:05 I tried the app and there were tons of slots available. Have you tried the app?

AlmostThereKeepMoving · 07/04/2020 15:16

Also do they have a local milkman who can deliver essentials?

AmelieTaylor · 07/04/2020 15:20

Definitely try their local Facebook. A market trader near me is doing house deliveries of fruit & veg and will prioritise older or vulnerable people. He's only doing 'boxes' no choice as he's flat out.

Plus some of the local markets are still running, so someone local to them might be able to help with fresh food.

I got a Tesco slot last night for the 27th. Logged on around 23:45 & it kept auto updating. It went all weird when I checked out & looked like I'd lost the slot, but thanks to an MN thread I realised I had the confirmation email and a short while later it showed on my Tesco account.

Good luck!!

Babyboomtastic · 07/04/2020 15:22

The problem with Tesco seems to be, that you can wait on the website, but you get thrown off it at about ten to midnight, and then out in a queue, and by the time you get through its way gone midnight and all the slots are gone.

There is no indication of how long the queue is, where you are on it etc, and I don't know if this is happening to everyone, but there is no information about it, and it's really weird.

Original poster
Suki2 · 07/04/2020 17:55

Amostherekeepmoving thanks for the tip; I've installed the app and will be looking there as well as the website. You'd think the app and website would say the same thing!

OP posts:
Original poster
Suki2 · 07/04/2020 17:56

Babyboomtastic agree it's a weird experience; thats why I would like to hear from someone who's been in the queue and actually got a slot after midnight! It's a shame they can't tell you your place in the queue; it just seems to me that it's never going to work for me.

OP posts:
Original poster
Suki2 · 07/04/2020 17:58

Almos therekeepmoving; yes they do have deliveries from the milkman, thanks for thinking of that. They also have a helpful neighbor who does occasionally buy food for them. I'd still like to provide some help myself and not have to rely on the goodwill of others.

OP posts:
RarePackOfLooRoll · 07/04/2020 17:59

Someone was saying to me that Asda release some in the morning at around 8 or 9am. They said to keep refreshing your page and some come up eventually.
Not tried this yet so can't report if it really works.

Original poster
Suki2 · 07/04/2020 17:59

Just realized AmelieTaylor did get a slot so there is hope

OP posts:
poshme · 07/04/2020 18:12

Have you tried looking up their local pubs? My local is doing veg/fruit/dairy boxes. You can phone up, pay by phone & drive up- they'll put into your car.

Redglitter · 07/04/2020 18:38

The Tesco app works the same as the website it kicks you into the queue about 2350. I was logging into both & hoping for the best. I actually found the web page better for getting in

Yellowbutterfly1 · 07/04/2020 19:27

Sorry to ask, but a poster earlier said that their parents have to stay at home for 12 weeks as they are over 70 so are trying to get a delivery slot.
Having spoken to my child’s consultant today he said only people in the ‘most vulnerable’ list have to stay in for 12 weeks and people in the ‘vulnerable’ list can go out but just need to be very careful.

Is this not correct?

Original poster
Suki2 · 07/04/2020 21:26

Yellowbutterfly1 the over 70's have been advised to stay at home during the pandemic. I suppose if you were a fit and healthy 71 year old you may still be out shopping. Much older people who have underlying health conditions like my parents should just stay at home.

OP posts:
ACertainSupermarket · 07/04/2020 21:29

Try their local shops - butchers, greengrocers, farms - they seem to be doing deliveries now along with basics like bread, milk, cheese, eggs.

MereDintofPandiculation · 08/04/2020 08:10

yellowbutterfly1 Everybody has to "social distance" for as long as the governments says; vulnerable, inc over 70, have to be extra scrupulous about social distancing; "extremely vulnerable" who will have had a letter from NHS telling them they're in this group, have to "shield", ie stay in the house and avoid other people in the house, for 12 weeks, until the end of June.

Wilmalovescake · 08/04/2020 08:14

Do they have a Cook anywhere near them? They are expensive but delivering to elderly.

I know you said no farm shops but try ringing round local butchers, bakers and greengrocers too- ones near us are still delivering. And join FB groups in their area if you haven’t already as there is often local knowledge.

It’s all shit, I’m sorry. Well done for trying to look after them x

Random18 · 08/04/2020 08:34

Iceland are only doing deliveries for vulnerable people I beleive.

They may be worth a look.

Good luck.

justanotherneighinparadise · 08/04/2020 08:42

Morrison’s boxes are showing as out of stock, as are M&S boxes.

pleasenomorechocolates · 08/04/2020 08:45

Maybe Iceland? My elderly DM said she ordered from there and managed to get a slot for just a few days later. Good luck OP, it’s terribly stressful isn’t it

Portulaca · 08/04/2020 13:12

We ordered a Morrisons box this morning (or at least think we did Confused). It showed as available, we booked it, paid for it, and got an order no. but as yet no confirmation of order email. So will wait & see if it turns up. That was the first thing we've been able to order online for weeks. Given up with Ocado, no other slots for delivery or c&c anywhere.

YgritteSnow · 08/04/2020 13:17

You need to go on Tesco at regular intervals during the day and better to sign into the site that than on the app. I waited up till midnight four days in a row with no luck then got a slot at about four in the afternoon when I just happened to look the following day.

JustStayHome · 22/04/2020 01:42

Just managed to get a Tesco slot for myself and my nan...
Presume people who forgot to check out when they managed to get a slot

Inkpaperstars · 22/04/2020 06:23

It's a nightmare OP. My DM is in her 80s and lives alone far from me, I haven't been able to get her on any priority list and getting random deliveries has been a strain. We did get a Tesco one in queue once, it's very hit and miss.