New to online supermarket shopping-any tips?

Debran

It makes sense that at least one supermarket is not taking on any new registrations.  Lots of new people joining for home deliveries is why there is now a problem and  you can't get a slot.  I fully understand why folks are doing this in the light of the present situation and admit I'd probably do the same if I had not already been having my groceries delivered for nearly a year.  Don't know what the solution is because we are now where we are and there must be lots of folks like me who rely on a delivery because we cannot do our own shopping due to infirmity or disability.

Asda

Asda have sent their customers emails (from "Roger") asking that people do not buy things they don't need.  Unfortunately, a few days after completing your order (in the days when you could get a slot) you found they were out of stock of numerous items you had requested, there was nothing similar available, so unless you ordered stuff you didn't need (you have to order a minimum of £40s worth) you were penalised for it to the tune of £3 plus the cost of delivery.  Moreover, you had to pay for delivery even if you had paid for a delivery pass.

X Showing in Delivery Slots

I think this means no deliveries will take place on that day.

drspa44

On Sunday, the government announced food packages will be delivered for free to the most vulnerable: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/coronavirus-boris-johnson-community-hub-self-isolation-food-supply-uk-a9417091.html

To me this sounds like it could be quite difficult to set up logistically given the timescales involved. But they have no choice.

In any event, if delivery slot availability does not improve, there will always be takeaway delivery - albeit at a higher cost than cooking the food yourself.

MrsStepford

I've seen a stat that only 7% of shoppers used online supermarket delivery and now 20% are trying to do so. After terrible experiences with Ocado as a SmartPass holder, despite being a customer since 2012, I re-started a box with Riverford and I have been finding food online from farms, butchers, dairies, cheesemongers and health food stores. Yes, the delivery charges make it more expensive but some are as low as 3.99. I got stuff from Home Bargains early on. Poundshop and Approved Foods do online orders. Lots of catering food suppliers are doing home delivery now, as are farms and fishmongers. If you have a decent sized freezer you can get good bargains from farms and game dealers. A good starting point is bigbarn.co.uk Also Wellocks is doing home delivery within 25 mile radius of all depots and has a list of pubs and restaurants for click and collect. 

Steve_L

I'm new to home shopping, but I'm also learning fast. Sometimes the hard way. Some lessons cannot be taught.

Include a "fudge factor" of useful but non-critical (I deliberately didn't say "non-essential") items, so any unavailable items shouldn't drop you below the threshold. However, now that "do they have any" has taken the place of "which is the cheapest", it soon adds up. If you find something you want, like flour, shown as being in stock then add it, but work on the assumption that it'll be out of stock when your order is picked. If you don't get it, you aren't disappointed. if you do, it feels fantastic.

Use substititions wisely. If, like me, you have to buy cheap, basic own brand items, then the only way is up. Except things like flour, where there's probably none.available. Try to avoid unwanted substititions. OK, you get a refund, but what do you do with the unwanted stuff? And it's one less item on the shelf that someone else might need.

Plan further ahead than you do already.

Steve_L

PS. You can probably include household items as part of the "fudge factor". For example, we've just ordered a new pair of oven gloves. We have new side plates (we only have 3 of the original 6 from 10 years ago, and 2 of those are chipped), which you can buy individually, in reserve. I can't see people clearing the shelves of these.

Steve_L

PPS. Further to avoiding unwanted substitutions. Especially if you specify branded things, for example, OXO cubes. If you only need beef ones, then chicken ones aren't an alternative. Neither are the salt laden Knorr ones. My solution is to gradually build up a reserve of a spare box of each flavour you use. Then, if you can't get the one you want one week, you've got the time it takes you to use the spare box to get 2 more. And you should always remember that the person picking your shopping may just have left school or college.

GaleSF63

Steve_L said:

Use substititions wisely. If, like me, you have to buy cheap, basic own brand items, then the only way is up. Except things like flour, where there's probably none.available. Try to avoid unwanted substititions. OK, you get a refund, but what do you do with the unwanted stuff? And it's one less item on the shelf that someone else might need. 

You do get the chance to say whether you will accept a substitution - at least Tesco and Waitrose do so I'm sure the others do as well, and also you can specify or limit what substitutions are acceptable.
It's not flawless, but it can help. 

Steve_L

Yes. Although with ASDA, it's a bit hidden. It's under "Review Trolley". I missed this the first time, as I didn't want to review my "trolley" as there was nothing wrong with what I'd put in it. I'd have put the option to select sub's on the top level. It's just a tick box. But then, if it allowed you to specify sub's, and I asked Lynne for them, then not only the text box but also the server storage wouldn't be large enough.

TheBanker

I agree with the "fudge factor" but please do use it wisely. There is a limit to the weight each van can carry, so if people go over board (particularly with big/heavy items) then it can cause problems. I believe this part of the reason for the 80 item limit at Tesco. 
The subs I've had from Morrisons have been quite sensible, and there is an element of 'beggers can't be choosers' at the moment. I was surprised, however, that there was no suitable substitute for a 6 pack of Wagon Wheels, so I had to go without my afternoon chocolate fix

Chrysalis

I think postcode is a factor, as some stores struggle more than others.
e.g. tesco have a horrific record for me, not only have they removed a ton of sku's from their website, the one's left over they still were struggling to fullfill on my orders (months before virus started).  So I ditched them and moved onto asda, who were much better but due to lack of bags I moved onto morrisons and ocada, both were pre virus pretty good at fulfilling the order, especially ocada which I think is because they deliver from a warehouse.  Both with bags as well.
Since the outbreak, all the supermarkets have struggled for me, but on my most recent order from asda, there was actually only 2 substitutes which considering the situation and the fact they pick from the shelves was unexpected.
So in terms of advice, I would be inclined to accept substitutes, but if there is a particular food you are concerned about, try to order your own substitute alongside so you at least have a backup if you dont like what they sub with.

Also be wary of use by dates, asda, ocado and morrisons all are not that bad here for me, but again for me tesco are horrific on this, not unusual to get 1-2 day use by dates on bread etc. from tesco for me, so be prepared for the possibility of either throwing fresh food away or having to eat it very quickly, this can lead to a weekly shop been loaded up with longer life stuff to compensate.

In terms of slots, its a minefield right now.