General Chat

When I was still working in upper primary, we had a project on whether the 9-11 yr olds thought that getting your weekly grocery shop delivered to your door was a good idea or not.
We had a brainstorming session with reasons for and against. A discussion took place afterwards about what impact the delivery service had on peoples lives.

So before I reveal what the result was, I would like to know if you are in favour of home deliveries or not. What positives or negatives do you think there are with this service.

For me personally after I became disabled and unable to drive anymore, the home delivery was a huge benefit for me. With a low immunity, i didnt have to go into a crowded supermarket and risk catching germs. Also with not driving, it means no fuel costs so that has saved me money. So far so good.

But there are negatives for me too. By getting food delivered, I miss the chit chat in the supermarket seeing people I wouldnt see otherwise. I dont get to see the bargains or reduced items. it was also exercise walking around the shop and being at home dont get much walking done.

So what do others think and in general is it a good thing or not having your food shopping delivered?

Florence in the hebrides

Been having home delivery since the first lockdown

Having the knee replacement in April 2021 meant out of action for 3 plus months as well as not given the go ahead to drive until the august

Still got shopping delivered though

Then it was self isolating again with all the scans and hospital appointments then the hysterectomy and recovery then chemo it’s been one long road

Have now only just started to go out again but again only essentials like dental .eye check etc

Will continue having the shopping delivered though .


One contention I do have continually is the short shelf life on the bread they send
What’s the point sending bread with two / three days use by

As I still self isolate they deliver the shopping into the porch into bags I put there so I don’t see shelf life till I take it in

This week I thought nope to bread and ordered a pack of croissants ,individually packed inside . and a pack of eight Brioche rolls

Both came with long use by dates :-(

I have had a home delivery since the first lockdown, like Shirley.

I have all the heavy things delivered still, but some fresh items I get myself.

I have a reduced immune system, so it did me a favour,

I see no need to change now.

When my site asks if I want to leave instructions, I add 'please pick longest date possible' and they do.

I too (although it was 'we' then) have had home delivery more or less weekly since lockdown. I have found Tesco quite reliable although sometimes a short date creeps through. You can complain if it is less than (I think) 2 days and they refund the cost. However I think if you look in the actual stores you will see than use by dates have got shorter for some reason.
I would be really stuck without this service as, now I am on my own with no car, it would probably involve getting a taxi to buy the heavier household goods I do have a medium sized local Tesco so can manage that with a small rucsac to carry things home but I say the home delivery is good.

As long as I'm able to drive, push a trolley round a supermarket, and lift bags into the car, I'll continue to shop in person.

I've only shopped once a fortnight since the start of the pandemic, to keep social interaction as infrequent as possible, (and now also petrol usage, for the sake of both the planet and my purse) but I enjoy the outing, and prefer to see the goods for myself, to choose the freshest veg, longest use-by dates (very important when only shopping fortnightly, and with only myself to eat the food), special offers, etc.
It's also good to be able to change my mind or indulge in the occasional impulse buy if I see something cheaper or more interesting as I go round the shop.

I also like to be able to read the labels on things, re ingredients, etc.

In this area we only have deliveries from Morrisons and Tesco - but there are some things I like to get from Lidl, which I can't get anywhere else, and which I would have to do without if relying on deliveries.

However, having said that, when I can't drive any longer, or become less able generally, I'll be very grateful for deliveries, as our nearest food shop of any sort is 7 miles away and the bus service is almost non-existent.
There were no deliveries at all here until about 5 years ago, so I'm comforted to know they're available if I need them.

I’ve never had @ food delivery but would love to know how early they start. We were. Woken up early the other morning - banging and crashing and loud voices under our windows.

Those round here that usually have de liveries have them during the daytime.

My views are largely the same as ArgyllGran for the same reasons, although I do not drive.

Pre pandemic, I did most of the household shopping, catching a local bus, with shopping trolley if I was buying heavier items.
During lockdown, we very much limited our visits anywhere and my daughter drove us to the nearest supermarket at odd times, when we knew the store was less crowded.
This was maybe after 7 pm, but whatever she felt comfortable with, I went along with.

Because of this, we have not used home deliveries, although they are most useful and a lifeline to some.
Many people near here rely on prescription items being delivered too... Again a most useful help to those who need that service. I still collect mine every 2 months from the chemist.

So although I don't personally use the services of home delivery, I can see how useful they are to some people and it's good that is available to them.

Nameslessone -

The start time of deliveries varies according to supplier - and maybe varies from place to place?? It also depends on what time-slot the customer picks - or is able to get.

For instance, Tesco deliveries here (from 25 miles away) theoretically start at 8.30am .
Morrisons (20 miles away) delivers from 8am.

My neighbour gets Tesco deliveries, but I've never seen one arrive before mid morning - though that must be due to her choice of time-slot.



Incidentally, I see that the soonest Tesco delivery I could get (if I did want one) is 3rd Sept at 6pm, as all earlier slots are booked up.
From Morrisons the earliest would be 22 August at 9pm - the only available slot tht day.. The next available one would be on the 24th at 4pm - the only one that day..

I have to say Tesco have now got Home Deliveries and Click & Collect down to a fine art which was not the case at the beginning of 2020. :-)

Tesco started doing Click & Collect at my large Tesco early 2020 and I opted for this as it got me out of the house but I didn't have to go into the supermarket as it is located out in the open air. My OH wasn't all that great at that time and I felt it was a little outing for me but I wasn't mixing with the hordes :-0

When OH passed away I still continued with Click & Collect and still do so to this day :-)
I never liked grocery shopping so to be able to do it in the comfort of my home is great :-). Tesco always show you the offers when you purchase online. With regards to bread I always ask for 'at least 3 days to sell by date preferably longer' and normally it is 6 days. They always send me a receipt by email before I pick up which tells me what is out of stock or has a shorter than they would like shelf life. So I might pop into the store prior to collection to choose something else but it's literally in and out :-) If I don't want anything I just hand it back when I collect and there is no quibbling about a refund :-)

So for me it suits me :-D

I use Ocado occasionally, have done for a while now, as they stock some things that I particularly like and can't get anywhere else, also for bulky things. Couldn't use them at all during the pandemic as I wasn't in any of the 'vulnerable' groups. I'm used to shopping at local supermarkets using the car. We're about to move, so will have to get used to another set of 'local' shops! I prefer to shop in person, but deliveries are really useful and a lifeline for so many.

I like to do both!
There are two 'nearby' shops - both involving huge hill climbs and both very expensive.

I don't drive, so a home delivery is a 'must' for cat food, potatoes etc.
I vary the supermarkets I use. There are some things I wouldn't get from 'X' or 'Y'.

However, I like to go into town, have a look inside the shops, and buy the odd item..

In fact, I'm going to my sister's tomorrow - in the town where she lives, there is an actual proper butcher - unlike the city where I live. I shall be in that butchers like a shot!m

Thanks AG, I think it was Sainsburys at 6.45 am :-0

AG, Tesco have what they call 'Delivery Saver' which applies to both Deliveries and Click. I have a 6 month plan which I pay £7.99 per month. It allows you to book up to 4 weeks in advance and you have priority at Xmas; yesterday I booked for 14 Sep and I have a slot of my choice each week up to that date. As you are aware you have to pay for every slot. If you exceed £7.99 in slot charges in a month you don't pay anything else. If, however, you don't exceed £7.99 per month they give you a coupon at the end of the 6 month plan for the amount that you didn't use each month....so it's win win :-D :-D

Good to know, LondonBelle - thanks!

Well some very interesting points here on for and against.

The children decided against using the service 60/40. The reasons they gave were that their own grandparents in particular and those that could go by bus or car looked forward to a weekly outing out of the house. They enjoyed having a coffee with a friend in the shop. They preferred to choose the items themselves.

They thought that by having your groceries delivered, you would feel isolated as you wouldnt see other people. Older people wouldnt know how to use a computer to order online or may get confused ordering things they didnt want.

They also said it was unreliable as slots not always available and/or times not suitable.

They believed it would be better for your mental health to go out and do something constructive at least once a week and to be among others.

So the children made plenty of good points for not being in favour.

The children who voted in favour said that for ill or housebound people it was a godsend or for those unable to drive. Heavy things being delivered instead of being carried was a plus too. They said that grandchildren could show the older family members how to use an Ipad/PC to order their goods.

In bad weather getting goods delivered meant not having to go out and get wet etc
Home deliveries also meant the actual shops were not so crowded.

So overall the result and opinions are nearly evenly split.

If you are housebound in general and don't drive or use a bus, then getting your groceries delivered is a good thing but if you have weekly deliveries maybe once every 3 weeks, see if anyone can take you out to shop if you can manage as I believe this will do wonders for your mental health and also boost your confidence.

Some days, being stuck indoors all day doesn't bother me if I'm busy with things but when I'm not, I would prefer to go and do my shopping instore as when I return home, I do feel more uplifted especially if I get to chat with people and exchange news etc. Chatting on the phone is no substitute for chatting in person where possible.

Thankyou for all your replies

Florence in the hebrides

I’ve had deliveries almost from the beginning of covid. It suits me very well and the

delivery drivers from Waitrose were trained to make sure that their customers were

coping. I’ve alternated between 2 supermarkets. It is cheaper to have a delivery than it

is to go in the car. I’m very fortunate that I live in a village that has a variety of food

shops so can always get something if I need it. It is my worst nightmare to go shopping

in a supermarket ;-) ;-) ;-)
My grandmother always had a food delivery so Im following in her footsteps :-D :-D :-D

As I didn't apply for my bus pass until after I'd retired (in July), deliveries were cheaper than the bus fare!
Hopefully my bus pass will arrive before it gets cold. Then I can use the bus to keep warm! :-D :-D :-D :-D

Maggie invest on a small bag on wheels in case you get carried away in the

supermarket ;-) ;-) ;-) :-D

I have stuck with home delivery, for all the heavy stuff it is ideal. By the time I travel to my nearest supermarket…climb the shelves to reach a lot of items…unload on to the belt..load back in trolley…then unload in to the car…then cart it all indoors….I feel worn out! :-D :-D

Tesco I have to say have been great throughout, I also use my local farm shop for fruit n veg….and the occasional trip to Sparkles food hall
:-D ;-)

I hope no one is waiting for a Tesco delivery this afternoon. Seems they have cancelled them all. Computers………..!