Waitrose stops newspapers on deliveries + Click & Collect pre-3pm - sneaky way to increase profits!

maman

Bacman said:

maman - that post isn't relevant to the thread!

Waitrose are part of John Lewis, yes, however Waitrose have their customer services section and to date, I've only experienced good and quick service

I seem to recall that on of the things the new CEO did was to bring Waitrose and John Lewis together  as a money saving exercise.
John Lewis and Waitrose to merge in restructure that puts marketing jobs at risk (marketingweek.com)

So, my post may not have been directly about the free newspapers with online deliveries but I think it was very resonant of the way John Lewis is chipping away at Customer Service. 

Bacman

Waitrose is the most profitable part of John Lewis so I doubt they will want to annoy customers, also of course since they broke away from Ocado they are needing their online shopping to continue being successful.

Doc_N

Bacman said:

Waitrose is the most profitable part of John Lewis so I doubt they will want to annoy customers, also of course since they broke away from Ocado they are needing their online shopping to continue being successful.

It's backfired pretty spectacularly for them then, if this article in the Retail Gazette is anything to go by!  It even makes a reference to this thread, and they're stacking up any number of bad Trustpilot reviews:

https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2021/04/waitrose-faces-backlash-for-ending-morning-paper-delivery/

// Waitrose accused of “poor customer service” after halting home delivery of newspapers before 3pm

// Customers have taken to social media and internet forums to complain about the change

// Waitrose’s page on Trustpilot has also taken a hit, attracting one-star ratings & complaints about the cancellation

---

Waitrose has been accused of “dishonesty and poor customer service” after halting home delivery of newspapers before 3pm.

maman

Doc_N said:

It's backfired pretty spectacularly for them then, if this article in the Retail Gazette is anything to go by!  It even makes a reference to this thread, and they're stacking up any number of bad Trustpilot reviews:

https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2021/04/waitrose-faces-backlash-for-ending-morning-paper-delivery/

Fame!!🤣

It's encouraging to know that the threads don't go unnoticed. I've always found it odd that, on some of the boards, posters talk of Sainsbobs and Mr T and other silly (IMO) supermarket names. At first I thought it was just the way they spoke but it was explained that they don't want supermarkets to read what they've posted. On the contrary if I've criticised or praised a supermarket, I want them to know about it. 

Hopefully Waitrose will take note of the newspaper criticism. They might just ignore criticism,  brazen it out and move on  which seems to be a common way of operating currently. 

PennyForThem_2

TBH I am amazed at the Waitrose offers of 

Free Newspaper (admittedly limited choice but among most expensive) if you spend £10
Free Coffee (pre Covid)

For main newspapers this = up to £3.20

I love the atmosphere shopping in a Waitrose or JL.  It is welcoming and non confrontational.  They were one of the first to provide hand sanitiser at entrance.  (S'bury now provides hand sanitiser through out the store but is bigger).  I shopped at Morrisons and a member of staff was extremely confrontational.  I understood his fears but not his way of conveying what he required having shopped where staff maybe feel safer)

Waitrose is not the cheapest - I go to Lidl and Aldi and other suermarkets to pick recommendations - I can, I live in a city.

So I suppose I like Waitrose / JL ambiance but I am not loyal - and that is where they may lose out.

GaleSF63

I can't believe there should be so much fuss about a free newspaper. It's not as if it's likely to be more than once a week, and less often for many, 

If it's that important, maybe it's possible to change the chosen slot to after 3pm. 

KxMx

I'm amazed so many people who are able to use the internet want a newspaper! 

GaleSF63

KxMx said:

I'm amazed so many people who are able to use the internet want a newspaper! 

Oh I can appreciate that - it's nice to relax back in a chair and turn the pages occasionally.  But more waste to recycle; some people I see passing my window with the Saturday and Sunday papers must fill a bin a week!

MysteryMe

I use my free Waitrose newspaper to line the bottom of the parrot's cage so it's a useful perk for me.

maman

MysteryMe said:

I use my free Waitrose newspaper to line the bottom of the parrot's cage so it's a useful perk for me.

🤣
Amusing, but I'm sure posters are (deliberately or otherwise) are missing the point. Waitrose/JL are chipping away at service to customers. They have successfully delivered newspapers and now they are choosing not to. Why? 🤔