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Ocado smart pass trials, tribulations and tiers

946 replies

Milky77 · 12/04/2020 09:37

Background

On March 23, Ocado divided anytime and midweek smartpass members into random groups for access then realised that didn't work so divided us again into most loyal, loyal and near to miscellaneous tiers with having different levels of frequency for order delivery and indeed how many slots you can book in advance.

Certainly the most loyal and probably generally high average spend compared to local populations are the only ones being treated well. They are allowed to still book every seven days, can book 2-3 weeks in advance and are encouraged to book several slots over this time.

The rest of us are being treated with varying levels or service, disappointingly some have not had a single email since March 23 and still don't have access.

Those anytime pass members on the extremely vulnerable list by NHS England should be able to book every 7 days though aren't given the ability to book 2-3 weeks in advance. A few are apparently being called for fortnightly orders.

Ocado has been too greedy. They blame poor service on helping the extremely vulnerable but actually they let too many new and infrequent shoppers place orders putting too much stress on the system.

Complaints on social media are typically met with cut and paste replies. Both the call centre and chat comms have been shut down.

Those with weekly Reserved slots have had their places cancelled. The technology failed, or maybe actually wasn't fit for purpose anyhow

Here was our first thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3862959-Ocado-Anytime-Smart-Pass-holders-have-you-received-priority-access-yet

Let's hope we don't go to a third

Top tip is to try other companies including Morrisons who also deliver from warehouses.

Good luck to all

OP posts:
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Wordofwarning · 15/04/2020 19:35

YES

Again though only through persistence and this thread vs communication from Ocado. However I have a spot and once it’s arrived I will see if I can get another one. It’s been a frustrating 22 day journey and it hasn’t arrived yet BUT I got on the site so yeehaw!

Milky77 · 15/04/2020 20:21

@roguev we don't know. It's really bloody odd and terrible customer service.

OP posts:
Milky77 · 15/04/2020 20:23

Wow @wordofwarning that's ace news

@mangocoveredlamb I can get on but I am in the very vulnerable group so was lucky ha they finally recognised it after a really strong complaint. It must have been my 30th or so contact about it. Fuckers

OP posts:
mangocoveredlamb · 15/04/2020 21:07

@milky77 I’m so pleased you have finally got somewhere and you too @Wordofwarning.

ElfDragon · 15/04/2020 21:13

I’ve just had an email from Ocado telling me officially what I already know - that I’ve been moved into the 7 day group, and that I can view/book slots up to 21 days ahead.

I’ve been able to do book every 7 days for over a week now, and could see more than 10 days ahead for about the same length of time.

But it’s nice that it’s official now Grin

Fuss · 15/04/2020 21:21

Ive also just had the email.

ElephantsAlltheWayDown · 15/04/2020 21:23

I’ve just had an email from Ocado telling me officially what I already know - that I’ve been moved into the 7 day group, and that I can view/book slots up to 21 days ahead.

This must be what's happened to me. I was originally on the 10 day schedule but I've been able to book one per week for the next three weeks. Very relieved -- had to make a very large order to fill the 10 day gap and it's hard to keep fresh things for that long (even a week is pushing it, tbh).

I'm not sure if it helps or is just a coincidence, but I've only found slots when my trolley is full (I just add my instashop) and I go to check out -- I haven't been able to book when I've checked the calendar with an empty trolley.

Wordofwarning · 15/04/2020 21:24

I have officially fallen off the radar Comms wise but dm will have shopping so I’m relieved. Where we go from here I don’t know. HOWEVER it is spookily convenient that payment for my pass was taken today so I do wonder if that was they clincher!

NaturalBornWoman · 15/04/2020 21:27

I had managed to grab a slot by logging on after 6pm a couple of days ago having had an email basically saying if you haven’t got priority that’s what you need to do. I emailed back saying why haven’t I got any kind of priority access as I’m a loyal customer and shielded and just got a fairly generic reply about registration on the vulnerable list. I went to log on tonight to add to my order and I’ve been upgraded to blue apparently. It advised me to shop earlier in the day to make best use of my priority access. Couldn’t book another slot and checked but haven’t had any further emails advising change in access category. Weird.

Tangledyarn · 15/04/2020 23:49

I'm meant to be in the 14 day group, but last had a delivery on the 1st and have one booked for the 28th. I can get straight onto the website but its just a sea of grey. I want to know what line colour I am! I've started an email exchange with them but it's not going well so far!

LoudBatPerson · 16/04/2020 00:12

Well I don't know if this will help anyone but I am meant to be in the 10 day group, however I was just able to book a slot for the 7th of May (three weeks ahead) which is only 7 after the slot I have booked before my last booked slot on the 30th. I now have slots booked for the 21st, 30th and 7th.

I don't think you the groups and emails are working correctly.

LoudBatPerson · 16/04/2020 00:13

Oh ok I just checked my emails and I have been changed to the 7 day group so it makes sense.

ChristmasCarcass · 16/04/2020 02:04

Logged on this afternoon, and was suddenly able to get past the screen of doom and book a slot. Only had spaces available for this Thursday and Friday, so I assume I must be in the ten day group.

Would have been nice to have some communication about this, Ocado! I just spent two hours after a thirteen hour nightshift queued up outside my local Sainsbury’s and did a big shop. So as it happens, I don’t actually need anything now. Most people will need more than 24 hours’ notice for slots, or they will make other arrangements.

Still, I guess the fact they have technically offered me a slot this month, even one I can’t use, means they won’t refund the £17.99 a month I pay for my midweek smartpass.

HavenDilemma · 16/04/2020 03:09

Apparently I haven't spent enough with them to receive any kind of slot with them at the moment, never mind a priority slot! I kid you not! Despite being on the extremely vulnerable list!!!!!!

Yes, I'm being serious!

Fuss · 16/04/2020 03:57

True to their word I got a slot 7 days after my April 30th one. Though it was 3am when I looked. Insomnia paid off tonight.

Ceara · 16/04/2020 06:15

14 day people, do you know whether you have to book for exactly 14 days after your last order ie you get one window or have to wait another 2 weeks, or if you have a choice of dates? I have an order booked ages ago for this weekend (so cant see slots available yet). As I am only a lowly Midweek passholder I would like to push the next order to the following Tuesday, if there is a choice about it, rather than get another Sunday slot and pay the greedy prices they now charge (apparently it's £6.99 per slot now, whatever time or day of the week, sellers' market etc). But I don't want to mess up and lose my chance of a delivery, especially as the order will be for my mum several hundred miles away, not us.

TheGreatWave · 16/04/2020 08:01

means they won’t refund the £17.99 a month I pay for my midweek smartpass

Just checking that is not a typo and you pay that much.

And we have a winner! Obviously a win that you really don't want. Other posters are paying an absolute fraction of that for an anytime pass.

crazydiamond222 · 16/04/2020 08:03

@ceara. I got a choice of 4 consecutive days 14 days after my last slot.

slartibarti · 16/04/2020 08:16

Still, I guess the fact they have technically offered me a slot this month, even one I can’t use, means they won’t refund the £17.99 a month I pay for my midweek smartpass.

£17.99 a month!!! I pay £3.99 for my anytime pass.

FlyingFlamingo · 16/04/2020 08:35

Right...I have had no communication for weeks about what level of customer I am, but for the last few days I have been able to see 2 weeks ahead. I have just booked the 30th, and now can’t book anything else, the calendar is greyed out. I think the last time I had to queue (last night) my line was blue, so does that mean in 7 days I could potentially book the 6th? Confused

I’m just wondering whether to bother to stay up until midnight tonight to get a Tesco slot for the 6th when they are released or take a gamble that I’ll get an Ocado slot.

It’s ridiculous, a clear explanation would end this frustrating game!

LoudBatPerson · 16/04/2020 08:42

@ChristmasCarcass wow you need to get onto them for a better smart pass deal or cancel it.

We pay £2.99 a month for our anytime pass.

JinglingHellsBells · 16/04/2020 08:43

@FlyingFlamingo I can't help you with the Ocado question other than to say I can now always access the site straight away ( am mid week smart pass ) but I can't see available dates a lot of the time.

Can I ask you about TESCO slots? Is this 'midnight' booking the reality or is it just what some people have said? I'm trying to book a delivery for my Mum who's 93.

Whoever posted this- typo surely?
Still, I guess the fact they have technically offered me a slot this month, even one I can’t use, means they won’t refund the £17.99 a month I pay for my midweek smartpass

I need to check my emails but thought they had said all smart pass subs were put on hold while this was going on? ie free delivery and half price only taken for March.)

My pass is £3.99 a month

PerditaProvokesEnmity · 16/04/2020 08:48

£17.99 a month I pay for my midweek smartpass.

Shock Shock Shock
FlyingFlamingo · 16/04/2020 08:56

@JinglingHellsBells

My strategy is to log in to the app and website at 11:50 3 weeks before you want a slot. You will be in a queue, just wait and you’ll get in just after 12. In my experience I have been getting into the website first and that shows more availability but on other threads they say the opposite which is why I try both. Then I grab a slot as soon as I’m in, add some bananas, check out and do the full shop nearer the time. Good luck! It’s a faff but at least with Tesco I know what I’m doing and they’ve refunded my delivery saver. They have come out of this better then Ocado in my opinion.

cantdothisnow1 · 16/04/2020 09:00

I pay £2.99 for an anytime pass.
I am on the 7 day list.
I was told 10 days originally but have had 3 7 days slots booked. Got the official email last night to say 7 days.

I can't believe some are paying £17.99 for a midweek pass.

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