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Original poster

Which of the supermarkets is the best for on-line delivery? And more shopping related questions...

15 replies

MrsSchadenfreude · 03/12/2006 21:20

We moved to UK from Belgium about three months ago and I am still getting to grips with shopping here. Loathe local Tesco's (and had bad experience with Tesco on line when lived in UK briefly a few years ago when I came back to heave out DD2), Sainsbury's is like a bunfight and have resorted to Asda on line. I don't find them too bad (and they are cheap), but I think their substitution policy is a bit bizarre - I don't think salad cream (ugh!) is an acceptable substitute for Hellman's mayo, nor blue Wensleydale for mature cheddar!

Am also missing decent Belgian chocolates (cravings for Mary's, Centho and Pierre Marcolini) and American stuff from PX in Germany (where I did most of my Christmas shopping). What decent chocs can I get here for Christmas? I bought some at Prestat in Piccadilly the other day, and nearly fainted at the price, but apart from that they were not too bad (and they sold sugar mice with string tails ). Going from one extreme to another, is there anywhere I can buy American crap as a treat for the DDs, like Froot Loops, Lucky Charms, Teddy Grahams (down to my last packet) and (most importantly!) Tootsie Rolls? I would add hastily that they don't live on these things, they were just an occasional treat which I would like to continue. Saw a packet of Lucky Charms in MK Central for around GBP 9.00 - thought that was a little extortionate!

OP posts:
TheBlonde · 03/12/2006 21:26

I have only ever used Ocado (waitrose) for online shopping - not as cheap as asda but never had any substitution issues

For US stuff - not shopped for it myself as we limit ourselves to when we visit... shortlist
cvtgdn

santasaltire · 03/12/2006 21:27

I use Tesco and Asda, i've had a few problems with both, but they are few and far between. Someone was posting the other day about daft subsitutions made by the supermarkets for home delivery. . I find with Asda though if they do substitiute sonething you pay the original price. i ordered something that was 65p, they substitued it with something that was 1.23, but i only paid 65p, whereas Tesco charge you the price of the subsitiution.
have never used sainsbury's, there isn't one near me.
Can't help on the American chocolates though I'm afraid.

JackieNoHoHo · 03/12/2006 21:30

For good chocolate, you can order online from Hotel Chocolat , but it's not cheap. Good quality and fresh, though. They do also have some rl shops.

Haven't done huge amounts of online shopping, but have used Ocado, and they've been very good.

mancmum · 03/12/2006 21:33

Ocado all the way -- almost always deliver what you order as you choose it from stock and not from what is left on the shelves of your local tesco.. bit more expensive but at least you always get what you want so no need to go back to shops

kikidee · 03/12/2006 21:35

I have tried Tesco and Sainsburys on-line and in store and Asda in store only. I now mainly either go to Sainsburys or do an on-line shop with them. My Tesco is the largest one in Scotland and is dizzyingly huge- my heart sinks if I forget something and have to go back several aisles. Also, I think their fruit and veg can be of variable quality which was also my problem with Asda, although they were much worse.

Sainsbury's is definitely more expensive but the fruit and veg is good quality - although not quite as good as M&S. The thing I like about their on-line facility is the one hour time slots - Tesco is 2 hours. The substitutions thing is a bit of a pain but they have a facility which allows you to opt out of substitutions on particular items when ordering. You can always send the subs back with the driver anyway.

My dream shop would be Ocado/Waitrose but they are only on the East Coast in Scotland so far.

Re American things - what about Harvey Nichols food hall?

santasaltire · 03/12/2006 21:36

kiki, the only waitrose i think is in edinburgh, which is a bit far for me to travel, but i'd like to give them a go too, especially since they get a lot of praise on MN

kikidee · 03/12/2006 21:37

For nice chocolate, these people are good

hulababy · 03/12/2006 21:41

No Ocado delivery here, although we do have a Waitrose. Much more expensive IME, but lovely food.

I have tried Sainsburys, Tescos and Asda online.

I don't get on with Tescos at all. No idea why. I didn't like Asda - too made substitutions and below par food. I use Sainsburys weekly now and on the whole find it really good - now they know where my house is!

I don't get most of my fruit and veg from there though. I prefer my organic veg box scheme.

Original poster
MrsSchadenfreude · 03/12/2006 21:43

Thanks everyone, this is really helpful. Am reluctant to try Ocado due to the price. I should add, I get meat from our local butcher and fruit and veg from market, so it just tends to be "the rest" of the stuff I need.

Hotel Chocolat looks just the ticket. I could have gone to Brussels for the cost of a kilo of chocs from Prestat!

OP posts:
PrettyCandlesAndTinselToo · 03/12/2006 21:45

Ocado is the biz. Always on time and if they're early they wait on your driveway until their slot. Rarely make substitutions, and if they do they are generally appropriate - on the rare occasions that they aren't apprpriate the driver has credited us with the cost of the item and left it with us. Also bags are always packed sensibly - no potatoes on top of tomatoes, for example. Staff unfailingly courteous.

Tesco not bad either, but bags not as well packed and bad reputation for time-keeping.

Original poster
MrsSchadenfreude · 03/12/2006 21:48

I'm going to have to see if Ocado deliver in our area now, aren't I?!

OP posts:
TwinklingTinselAndTenaLady · 03/12/2006 21:50

ARGH! Tesco, tell me about it, I am plucking up the courage to transfer all to Ocado as soon as I have time. As we speak, I have been trying to put my order through to check out for the last hour and a half and cant get a response online they are driving me nuts!

I vote boycott Tesco's they have become very customer unfriendly in my opinion. Too big for their boots and dont need us mere mortals who spend £70 a week with them!

santasaltire · 03/12/2006 21:53

Tena, I noticed they are getting greedy, all the delivery slots on Christmas week are £5.99, instead of the usual £3.99 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

TwinklingTinselAndTenaLady · 03/12/2006 22:01

Santa you are right there too. I dont know if you have been collecting the extra points from the voucher code websites but they have stopped all that malarkey too, they wont process a code unless it has been specifically given to you. Well Ive been shopping with them for 4 years and not once have I been given 500 or 1000 extra points.

They think you are daft, they have been caught out with the demand on their clubcard deals and are slowly but surely winding it down. You mark my words.

santasaltire · 03/12/2006 22:09

Hmm, you could be right. I have been shopping online with them for about three years and they have never once sent me an email saying "here's 500 extra points for being a loyal customer". Asda are always sending me emails offering free delivery if i spend over £50. I have used those websites with the tesco points on before, that's why my points total was over 6000 this year.

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