Greedy Supermarket Charges

During the lockdown I used Sainsburys for food deliveries. Found them very reliable, even managing to get through when there were roadworks.

Only a couple of times were they unable to deliver what I ordered and I always received an email the morning of delivery telling me what they didn't have and what they were delivering as substitution (which the driver would take back if I didn't want it)

Cost of delivery varied depending on how much I spent but averaged around £2. The drivers were always helpful and friendly. I am now shopping for myself but if we go into a second lockdown I will use Sainsburys again.

I stopped shopping at Tesco early on in lockdown when they simply texted me to say ‘we have cancelled your online delivery.’ No apology, no explanation. They cancelled it an hour before it was due and we were relying on it for food, etc..

So switched to Sainsbury’s and no problem, very reliable.

Callistemon

I pay £2 for a Tesco delivery; their site is excellent, their delivery drivers cheerful and helpful and it's not just the delivery we're paying for, it's someone picking and packing too. I hope they are getting a decent wage for doing my shopping for me.

If it was up to Waitrose, Ocado, Sainsbury's, Morrisons we would have starved by now.

Not me Callistemon
I’ve had weekly deliveries, throughout, alternating Waitrose and Ocado and still do. Waitrose deliver free if the order is £60 or over and I regularly included my friend and neighbour who was shielding and for Ocado I have been on their monthly £9.99 Smart Pass for years to cover any and all deliveries £40 or over.
Finding slots in the early days was a struggle, ( hence using both services) but being a regular customer and over 70 seemed to help.
Oh and I would never dream of tipping the delivery driver any more than I would tip the checkout assistant in a shop. Although it does remind me of a former GN member who used to give her couriers crisps or sandwiches and drinks

Amazing!
Do the vans run on air, and are the groceries collected and packed by fairies?
Of course, I do my own shopping. Yes, aren't I lucky.

Janeainsworth and Merlotgran,
I've always given driver £5 during lockdown. Was so glad to get delivery and we live way way in the country.
Tesco recommend NOT tipping.

I save money on petrol, wear and tear on the car and impulse buys. I feel much more in control of my spending.

The £7.99 delivery saver means I can have weekly deliveries rather than two weekly. Weekly deliveries suit me better. I'm still not leaving the house, so it means I don't have to go without until the next delivery arrives and I can order more fresh produce.

Is it the done thing to tip the delivery driver? It never occurred to me.

I'm glad you asked that question, janea. I have never tipped a delivery driver either.

I haven't filled the car up with petrol since the first week in March. Yesterday I went to the garage to get some petrol for the mower and thought I'd better top up the car while I was there. It was less than £20 including the can.

In the early days of scrabbling about, sitting up late etc., I was happy to pay whatever it cost for a delivery slot. I'm sure I would have spent a lot more topping the car up every week. Thankfully, Sainsbury's weekly deliveries meant some of the cheaper slots soon became available but I would have happily paid more.

Is an extra £2.50 a week really going to break the bank?

Callistemon - you may be paying £2 for a delivery from Tesco now, but after 3rd August that will go up to £4.50 no matter which slot you choose. I've never had a problem with the service or the drivers, but I'm not prepared to pay such a hike in the charges

I pay £2 for a Tesco delivery; their site is excellent, their delivery drivers cheerful and helpful and it's not just the delivery we're paying for, it's someone picking and packing too. I hope they are getting a decent wage for doing my shopping for me.

If it was up to Waitrose, Ocado, Sainsbury's, Morrisons we would have starved by now.

It's too much with the delivery driver's tip as well.

Is it the done thing to tip the delivery driver? It never occurred to me.

I’ve paid £40 to Morrisons for unlimited, anytime deliveries for 6 months. It would cost me more than that in petrol to drive to the shop once a week.
They have been brilliant.
I can get a slot the next day if I want one.

I signed up to Tesco Delivery Saver last week which costs £7.99 a month. For that I get unlimited deliveries over £40 and priority booking slots. Since signing-up I have found it easier to get a convenient delivery slot and it works out roughly half what I was previously paying per month for a delivery once a week

I’ve used Tesco during lockdown using the free slots, I think I paid £2 once but I certainly won’t be paying £4.50 I’ll shop around for the cheapest.

I had been using their services for a while, paying £2 for my slots, which were usually between 7pm and 8pm in the evening , not too late. I've just managed to book a Waitrose delivery for next week, no charge but a minimum spend of £60, stocking up! I'm not sure I'd want to pay £4.50 for a delivery it seems a bit steep.

I pay a regular £5 a month to Asda for as many deliveries as I want.

We have been having regular Tesco deliveries throughout lockdown.
Just today I've changed to Asda click and collect. Tesco's site has been really stop/start and not processing usual credit card today again. They apologised and saud it's their fault but I lost 2 hours online.
I'm being charged £5 tomorrow and it will be my final delivery from them. It's too much with the delivery driver's tip as well.

I'm surprised Tesco's are doing this. Surely the cheaper delivery slots are to encourage people to pick the less popular times.

It makes no sense to me.

Iceland delivery is free if you spend over £35. They always have plenty of slots available. We have found them great. Not such a big range but you can get most things at reasonable prices. We won't use Asda again. Last time none of our frozen stuff turned up with no explanation. When I telephoned to ask why, they were quite rude.

I’ve never paid that much for deliveries and wouldn’t now. We’ve had Sainsbury deliveries during lockdown, usually around £2 out of peak times, but free midweek after lunchtime if you spend over £100. I hope they don’t follow suit.

What about the Delivery Saver Plan? Is it not about £7 a month for unlimited deliveries?

I never use online deliveries, but my sister does and this is what she pays I think. It was shelved during lockdown, but has now started again I believe.

Do you really need a weekly delivery? It certainly makes life expensive if you do.