Thank you for your original post, Annsixty, I've learnt a lot about online supermarket deliveries from reading through everyone's replies and might try it myself as a result! I think Sainsbury should have a read, because they don't come out very well overall. Also, I feel we should complain if people who deliver are rude or unobliging. I'm sure that being customer-friendly must be in their job description!
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House and home
Online grocery shopping
(112 Posts)I have reluctantly decided that I must start having my groceries delivered. Most of my other needs are catered for online but I have resisted grocery so far to keep some independence, growing old is a b....r.
Are any of the supermarkets better than others?
Living where I do I will have a wide choice.
Does one tip the delivery man or not?
Do they leave it at the door or provide bags which are paid for?
I hope someone can give me pointers.
Post hip operation, Iceland are perfect for me. Especially for heavy basics. I push my trolley around the store, present my store card and pay, ask for delivery time and it's often within a couple of hours. Minimum spend is reasonable, about £20. Bags are provided. Yes I do tip the driver, as I live in upstairs flat and he puts the goods right into the kitchen. This is a great service and I am delighted. One can also order on line. Go for it girls.
I've had home delivery from most major supermarkets without any major issues. Occasionally they'll forget something but nothing has gone terribly wrong.
Sometimes I like to order certain things from certain stores. It means I have to shop for things separately, but I'd rather do that because I know exactly what I want.
Have used Ocado a few times which has been good. I've also been ordering from Graig Farm Organics for a few months now and wouldn't go back to shopping for supermarket meat after that.
I have only used Sainsburys. Found them mostly excellent. When I injured my back they would bring the bags in and put them on a counter in the kitchen for me. Otherwise I just get them put in the porch and I move them into the kitchen.
If any substitutes are there I can decide whether I want them or not.
Delivery people nearly all friendly and helpful.
No shame in having stuff delivered to your home. We all need a bit of help from time to time as we get older.
I've used Tesco, Morrisons and Ocado and not had a problem with any of them. They've generally bring the bags to the door but have offered to bring them into the house as well. I chose not to do grocery shopping online really as it gives us somewhere to go every week (how sad!) but do a lot of other shopping online (too much probably). It's a great way to shop though it you are struggling to get out of the house and specially if you hate it!
I have only used Sainsburys and they are not bad. There is a problem with the fresh fruit and veg as it often near the sell by date or on the same day and often does not seem to be what you would pick off the shelf. Also the one thing that I decide to eat that day is often the one thing that is not available.
It does save lugging home heavy or bulky stuff though which, as I don't drive, can be a pain. For now though I have gone back to shopping personally as it forces me out of the house which sometimes I need.
You have the choice of bags which they charge for or just having the stuff loading in containers which they empty when they deliver. The delivery men have always been nice and helpful and on time. They don't complain about delivering to a first floor flat which some do. I don't tip them. They are usually in a rush to go and I have never felt that they expect a tip.
You have all been very helpful. Many thanks for taking the time to reply.
I have used it for years and love it.
If you are not well, flu or other lurgi it is a blessing to have a delivery of shopping and my mobility is so poor that I have deliveries once a month or so, of the stuff that is heavy to lug about, washing powder in big boxes of bulky things like toilet rolls, boring stuff like bottles of ketchup and tea bags, flour, sugar, dog food. For the small cost of delivery I save myself a lot of pain and they do seem to turn up however bad the weather is too.
Christmas orders can be a bit haphazard but I get things a couple of weeks before, and then just order any meat I need from lovely local butcher.
Amazon are going to be doing same day deliveries, so I expect others will follow with that as well.
Having the shopping brought into the kitchen for me means 2 lots of lugging the stuff about saved every shop, once into car, once out, when pain is your master it really is a boon.
I specify live alone and long use by dates, and they are happy to take stuff back if you don't l ike the look of it on the day.
It is a fabulous service for older or disabled people or even just busy people. You can have a delivery booked for when you get home from holiday or hospital.
I don't tip the driver, not sure they are allowed to accept it.
I have been online grocery shopping for some years now and have tried them all.Definitely recommend Tesco,friendly,helpful drivers,rare to have any substitutions and no need for bags.They will bring the crates to your kitchen and unload onto worktops.
Iceland do free delivery over £30 but just leave the bags at the door.
Morrisons send me an email a few hours prior to delivery to remind me when they are coming, the name of the driver and if I have any substitutions. I have never had any and I have been using them for many months now.
Ann it will really save on taxi fares- even if you go out say once a week to buy vegetables and fruit. My fruit and vegetables have been fine if a tad over packed on occasions.
I have a monthly delivery of all the heavy stuff, but shop,for lighter fresh foods. This keeps me active and I like to select myself. Having said that, I have not had a problem when I have ordered fresh food.
Things to check
Look for cheap delivery spots, sometimes they are only £1 .
Check timings on special offers in case they expire before your delivery date.
I always tick the 'no subsitutes' for the whole shop.
I prefer no bags, the food is delivered in trays and quite often the driver offers to unpack. My system is to clear a place in the kitchen and unpack it onto the work surface myself.
I don't tip the driver.
I used to always check the food against the list, but I have never found a mistake so I don't bother now.
I tried Morrison's and Sainsbury's when I first started having deliveries and found Morrison's fresher, better at coming on time and with fewer substitutions. I do a small (and light-weight) shop at Sainsbury's during the week for things I cannot get from Morrison's but they seem to be widening their choice.
I use Asda online shopping.
It is the only way I have been able to get groceries for a long time now.
The delivery man brings my food into the kitchen and puts stuff in my fridge and freezer for me. Nothing is too much trouble for them.
Two words
In valuable
I pay £6.99 a month (discounted Ocado Smart Pass) and find them excellent. Punctual, friendly, good quality and price matched with Tesco. They are always running special offers and I make full use of them.
I started having groceries delivered when I broke my leg. Tesco is the only one who covers my rural area (I see their vans in all sorts of remote locations - apparently they cover 95% of the UK!).
I use their £7 per month service, for which you can have as many deliveries as you wish (min spend £40). Tesco Clubcard vouchers can be used to pay the £7pm charge and if you use their Boost offers, you pay just £3.50 in vouchers. Bargain!
You can use the monthly scheme to deliver to any address e.g. I arranged for orders to be sent to my mum when she was ill, and they put the food into her fridge and cupboards for her. If you're having a self-catering holiday, to that address.
Using the monthly service also gives you free next day delivery with Tesco Direct to any address, which is particularly handy at Christmas.
There's an option on the website to request long dates on goods and whether or not you want substitutes.
I did laugh when doing my last order. I wanted to get some kale and it asked me 'Did you mean ale?' Dh said yes! 
GrandmaMoira, I came across the new website last Monday night, the week before it was the old site. I told the delivery man that I didn`t like it, he said he`d feed it back to them, but I shouldn`t think my opinion will count much!
I didn't know Morrisons deliver, the nearest one to us is about 10 miles away I think. Must have a look on line
I shop online. I don't drive and paying for delivery is cheaper than a taxi and saved a lot of time and effort when I was working. I usually use Tesco and have deliverysaver - £3 per month for midweek, plus free deliveries from Tesco Direct. I'm happy with the service. I sometimes use Sainsbury's which is also good but a little more expensive and Iceland which is cheap but has limited range. I'd definitely recommend it.
Callgirl - I've not realised Tesco changed their site.
What do you Tesco shoppers think of the new website? I don`t like it, find it slower, but maybe that`s just me being dim!
I use Tesco. I pay £7 a month and can have as many deliveries as I want. I tip the driver at Christmas. The driver will carry your shopping into the kitchen if you wish. I pay 40p for bags. They price match with Sainsbury Morrisons and Asda. I very rarely have any problems but if I do its sorted very quickly. If any substitutions are a higher price you are charged the original lower price. The drivers, male and a female are a friendly helpful bunch.
I am having a Morrisons delivery in 2 days time. I start off with looking at special offers and this month I have saved myself almost £20. My bill I think comes to nearly £60 so that is a big saving.
I really think I am sold on the idea.
My other knee is getting worse and I am spending more and more money on taxis. I also hate packing the bags in the supermarket. I start to panic, so unlike me.
Since my last knee replacement I have Tesco delivery about once a month for all the heavy and bulky and regular items.
I think it's brilliant. It makes life so much easier for only £2 delivery charge on a Wednesday afternoon. So far I have had no replacement items and no mistakes at all. I have it delivered in bags which makes it easier to unpack from the crates. Then hand the bags back next time.
I still like to pop into supermarkets or local shops occasionally for fresh foods as it's nice to sometimes choose my own veg and meat and fish. All in all it's marvellous and I recommed it to anyone who finds shopping dfficult for whatever reason.
No, I don't tip. Are we meant to?
Yes I hate food shopping!!! It always seems such a waste if time, so I always have my shopping delivered, unless I decide that I've overspent and need to cut back then I spend hours trooping around places like Aldi and Lidles and Tescos to save a few quid. That lasts for usually one week.
Then back to online. I use Sainsbury's and Waitrose if I'm feeling flush.
I get my meat from an organic farm.
No problem apart from the very occasional very minor one like sending realt bizarre substitutes. But soon remedied.
I love online grocery shopping ann .
I use www.mysupermarket.co.uk. You choose your shop , enter your groceries, it offers up swaps to either save money or more healthy options. When your shopping is complete it sends it to your chosen store where you book a delivery time and add anything extra and check out.
It's really good at helping you save money .
My favourite is Ocado. They price match to Tesco. I've found their substitutions are minimal , you can choose to have bags ( any bags you and back get you a 5p credit ) . They always bring it right into the kitchen and put everything up on the work surfaces for me. The drivers are always nice and very helpful.
I've found Tesco a bit hit and miss on substitutions and terrible at Christmas . Drivers can be a bit off hand and have had some that just dumped the bags at the door. You pay a maximum of 40p for bags if you choose to have them delivered that way.
I like Sainsbury's , they're pretty good.
I hate Asda. If you have a problem their call centre is in South Africa ,!!
Good luck .
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