Online Grocery Shopping - What Are The Pitfalls?

[humbersloop]

I'm looking at Sainsburys and Waitrose. What to expect, what to avoid - and as it all seems so easy, what could possibly go wrong?

[Tilly2]

Not a lot, sloopy. You might get a few things which are near their sell-by date or you might get some substitutions, if you request them. All in all it's relatively risk free and, one added bonus, is that you don't buy things you don't want. Try it once, you will be pleasantly surprised.

[Sycamore3House]

The only pitfall I find is if you ask for an alternative (if the product you want is out of stock) and you don't like it or not really what you want you have paid for it. I deselected that option. Although I haven't used online shopping for a while it was great when I lived 10 miles away from the supermarket. I never had any problems.

[Zacs-Master]

Nothing really apart from the fact that they might decide to 'substitute' items which aren't in stock so if you're cooking something with very specific ingredients for a special occasion it might cause a bit of hassle, but you don't have to,accept the replacement. We've found we save a small fortune as you don't become prey to temptation and the subtle supermarket tricks.

[ethandron]

I set up sainsburys home delivery for the first time last Tuesday and have to say I'm delighted with it, should have done it ages ago. My concerns were that the fruit and veg wouldn't be up to my own very picky standard, that they would send ridiculous substitutions, and that they would be late.
In the event the fruit and veg was exactly as I would have chosen, I had no substitutions, and it all arrived bang on time. The delivery chap even checked the box of eggs to make sure none were broken, and he was extremely polite and helpful.
I fully expect there to be an odd hiccough now and again, but the whole experience for me was great. Oh, and because of the day and time slot I chose delivery cost me £1. Having set it up to use for just a few weeks due to circumstances, I'm going to keep it going as I'm so pleased with it.

[humbersloop]

thanks all, so watch the sell by date and don't rely on specifics

presumably if they haven't got what you want you get a refund, so how does the substitutions thing work?

[Tilly2]

They refund the money to your bank. I once had a box of eggs and one was broken. I rang them and they refunded the price of the box. That was Sainsburys.

[janbee]

I've only ever used Sainsburys and have never had any problems. Good luck sloopy xx

[Sycamore3House]

For substitutions you have the option to receive one or not. So if for example wafer thin ham was out of stock they would send cooked ham if you requested a substitute.

[bednobs]

i use ocado - they degenerally don't let you order things that aren't in stock (it comes from a warehouse rather than a shop) they send you an a4 receipt that lists the eat by date of things, so you can attach it to your fridge and see the dates without having to go thru the fridge

[rockyracoon]

If you've opted for a substitution, are you obliged to accept what they give you?

I did click and collect for about 3 weeks on th bounce and on the whole I was delighted until the last, I ordered 3 loaves that all had a sell by date of the next day.

[humbersloop]

that's what I was wondering rocky. I'm sure they send something there or thereabouts as Sycamore says, so presumably you phone them for a refund if it's not a near enough match? And what happens with the unwanted goods?

[diddlydo]

Unless you're a million miles from a supermarket there's no point. Substitutions are often ridiculous e.g. a 250g packet of loose tea was substituted by 240 teabags!! (I never , ever use teabags). OK i could send them back but I still had no tea! Waitrose Christmas Eve order arrived without the turkey!!!!! Need I say more?

[tiggerblue10]

Like others the only problem I find are the substitutions and some of mine have been ridiculous. Its not good if you've planned to make a certain dish and one or two of the ingredients are not available.

I use Tesco and have the super saver delivery thing which cost me £15 for 12 months but only available Tue, Wed and Thur. It was half price when I signed up. I have had a few other problems in the past but whenever I've contacted them they always give me loads of clubcard points for the inconvenience.

I sometimes use Ocado as well and they great, like Bednobs says. They do free delivery days as well.

[ethandron]

Apparently, with sainsburys substitutions, they come in a different coloured carrier bag. The delivery person points it out to you and if you're happy with it, you accept it and are charged for the substitution not the original item. If you don't want it, the delivery driver takes it back and you're refunded.
Of course, as diddly says, it can leave you without anything, although to be honest I wouldn't depend on a turkey being delivered on Christmas eve! In fact I wouldn't risk ANY essential item in an order that close to Christmas day..

[shaneystar2]

Never had any problems and I've tried them all but find Sainsburys the best although though once upon a time they substituted my Matzos for Mazda lightbulbs:)I still like to poodle to the local shops and market sometimes for meat,bread and veg though but when I've ordered same on line it's always been fine .
I'm not a million miles from a supermarket diddlydo but I have mobility problems and we don't have a car so on line supermarket shopping is ideal for me especially for large bulky heavy stuff which is mainly what I order.

[jno]

substitutions can be odd

https://www.toovia.com/top/10-weird-and-wonderful-online-grocery-shopping-substitutions

Twix instead of Tampax, right.

[ethandron]

I'm not a million miles from one either shaney.
Sometimes there are situations when home delivery is almost a necessity, and sometimes it's purely because of convenience. And just because a person has home delivery it doesn't stop them going to the shops too.

[woofgang]

I use waitrose and its brilliant. If they bring you something that has a short shelf life (apart from deli/fish/butcher/ baker counter items which are always short date) then my experience is that they don't charge for it. You can specify to allow a substitution and what that can be (and not be).
Recently I needed to go to the doc and the only appointment I could get was right in the middle of my delivery slot. I called them and explained the problem and they said no problem and moved my delivery to the very end of the slot.
I have used tesco who are also fine. Wasn't pleased with Asda, grumpy late delivery.

[Postdog]

Just because a person has home delivery doesn't stop them going to the shops too.

Unless you're disabled and rely on home delivery. We use Asda and have problems from time to time.

[woofgang]

forgot to add, I wouldn't rely on any grocery delivery if it was essential to have something and I had no time afterwards to source it elsewhere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBogWsfAS50