Online shop for a gift - advice please

hanb

Hi all,


Hopefully the right place to post and I've not missed others asking the same question!


It doesn't sound very exciting but I hope it will be appreciated - I'm going to do an online grocery shop for my grans Xmas prezzie. She only has a Harry Tuffins within walking distance and can't get anywhere else so her food costs her a fortune - I hear regularly!


I've never done an online shop as I go to L1dl but I wondered whether anyone had any advice on who to use? I thought I'd do it this was so that I can say to her I can continue to do it if she likes it and can go through it over the phone on a monthly basis or something. Otherwise I'd just go to L1dl and do a big shop from there.


Would you suggest one of the big 4? Or I see a lot of people use Iceland and Farmfoods etc. I've never used any so really not sure where to start. I'll be looking for basics to stocker her cupboards and freezer with a few treats in for Christmas. Of course I'd like to get as much, decent quality food, for my money as possible


Also happy to be told this is a terribly boring present and I can rethink my plan!

sarah1972

All depends on where you are in the country as Iceland doesn't deliver where I live in Surrey for example and we also don't have Farmfoods. You need to check that the big 4 deliver to your relatives address first as that could deduct a few from the equation.

You want to have a look on Topcshback and also first user codes for new customers for the big 4

Personally :

Waitrose and Ocado are great
Asda can be very hit and miss, sometimes great and sometimes there can be more subs than what you actually ordered.
Tesco Seem to be quite consistent and don't charge you any extra for subs and also do an automatic price guarantee and put the money back on your card if its found to be cheaper elsewhere (t&c's do apply)
Sainsburys Again in my opinion seem to be quite consistent although I personally think that their meat is inedible.

whitewing

My aunt always wants a food hamper for xmas after we gave her one one year.

I use Tesco as she only buys basic products so anything above a low cost brand is a treat.

Bear in mind your gran will have to put away anything you order. I think you would be best buying and taking it over. Or getting it delivered while you are there, especially if it is freezer stuff.

Go for some things that are in packets that she can remove one or two at a time.

Keep an eye on use by dates but that won't be a problem usually (although I did buy a Christmas dessert that expires before Xmas. We had to it ourselves - what a shame).

hanb

Thanks both! After posting I realised I should have checked delivery (doh!) I'm used to living in a city where everyone delivers but she's in the middle of nowhere in Wales but Tesco, Sains and Asda all deliver to her but Iceland don't.


Maybe I'd be better off just buying bits when I go shopping and making a hamper but I wanted her to see how handy delivery was for going forward to give her that option. She's pretty active and will be fine putting the shopping away - she has a mile and a half walk, uphill, to bring her shopping home at the moment but she has no choice of better value options nearby which is a real shame. Tuffins or Spar!


Can't do it til closer to the time to be able to time delivery so have a bit of time to look for vouchers etc, thanks - I'll do that So far, Tesco seems the best bet for a good service and value for money - hopefully!

sarah1972

hanb wrote: »

Thanks both! After posting I realised I should have checked delivery (doh!) I'm used to living in a city where everyone delivers but she's in the middle of nowhere in Wales but Tesco, Sains and Asda all deliver to her but Iceland don't.


Maybe I'd be better off just buying bits when I go shopping and making a hamper but I wanted her to see how handy delivery was for going forward to give her that option. She's pretty active and will be fine putting the shopping away - she has a mile and a half walk, uphill, to bring her shopping home at the moment but she has no choice of better value options nearby which is a real shame. Tuffins or Spar!


Can't do it til closer to the time to be able to time delivery so have a bit of time to look for vouchers etc, thanks - I'll do that So far, Tesco seems the best bet for a good service and value for money - hopefully!

Just bear in mind to explain to your nan about subs etc incase they arrive and run through the subs and if she doesn't know what she is expecting etc. The great thing is that you not pay any more if they sub for something more expensive which has worked to my benefit quite a few times !

Also if you are doing it as a present, they give you a A4 printed receipt so she will know how much you have spent on her if thats an issue.

hanb

sarah1972 wrote: »

Just bear in mind to explain to your nan about subs etc incase they arrive and run through the subs and if she doesn't know what she is expecting etc. The great thing is that you not pay any more if they sub for something more expensive which has worked to my benefit quite a few times !

Also if you are doing it as a present, they give you a A4 printed receipt so she will know how much you have spent on her if thats an issue.

Ahh good point about the receipt. I think she'd listen if I told her to just ignore it. I'll have a think about it all - might just all be a bit rubbish! I just wanted her to be able to see if she liked the home delivery option rather than just giving her a hamper. At least I've given myself time to think this year!!

whitewing

I would go for home del but do it for when you are there the first time. Then she will see how brilliant it is without any of the worry if it isn't smooth.

Tesco in our are is very good for home delivery. It comes from a different branch than we normally shop at - not that it makes any difference.

sarah1972

whitewing wrote: »

I would go for home del but do it for when you are there the first time. Then she will see how brilliant it is without any of the worry if it isn't smooth.

Tesco in our are is very good for home delivery. It comes from a different branch than we normally shop at - not that it makes any difference.

Thats a great Idea ! That way her nan wont see the bill either !

alanq

Ocado deliver in South Wales.

Some of my observations.

OCADO
+ One hour slots which they usually manage to stick to. They call if running late.
+ The price you pay is the price when you ordered. (Items sold by weight may vary according to how estimated weight compares with actual weight)
+ Items rarely out of stock because deliveries come from a central depot. Subs can be refused on delivery.
+ Stocks additional items / brands not found in major high street supermarkets as well as well known ones.
+ Charges for bags but then fully refunds for each bag returned with next shop.
+ Limited price matching with Tesco/Waitrose Essentials
+ Occasional vouchers / free samples
- Pricey unless you select items that happen to be good value. Some half price offers are about the same as others' full prices.
*****
ASDA
+ Cheap and with Price Guarantee that ensures cost is at least 10% less than a comparable basket at Morrison, Sainsburyand Tesco.
+ Option of bagless delivery.
+ Option to not have substitutes offered.
- Delivered from store so unavailable and substituted items are quite common.
-Two hour slots which have on occasion been missed by a wide margin.
-ASDA does not advertise when its offers end and charges the price at the time of delivery which could be significantly more (or less).
*****
Tesco
+ Cheap
+ Matches prices of brands at Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons
+ Club Card
+ Unlike ASDA the closing date for special offers is advertised.
+ Option not to have substitutes delivered.
+ One hour delivery slots available.
- Usually delivered from store so unavailable and substituted items likely. (I have no experience of this as I live in an area where Tesco groceries come from a Ocado-like depot)
- 40p charge added to each order for bags.
******

Watch out for free trial deliveries / discounts with your first order from suppliers.
I have only had one delivery from Sainsbury and that was to take advantage of such a discount.

Slots for Christmas deliveries are offered to pass holders before others so don't leave it too late to make a booking. Ocado has a £90 minimum order value for Christmas week.

Risky to rely on home deliveries for Christmas Dinner. You don't want to wait for your delivery on Christmas Eve only to find that turkeys or whatever have sold out. At least if you go to a store you know you have nabbed the item!

hanb

That's so helpful, thank you alanq!

Plan to order the week before Christmas for delivery a week or two after so should be ok for that. Keeping fingers crossed for some kind of introductory offer but might be the wrong time of year for that!

Thanks again