We’re at the end of our rope with Asda. Everything is being substituted, and we’re fine with that when it’s just another brand of the same thing but like they’re sending entirely different vegetables to the ones we need, they’re substituting meat-free ordered items with actual meatballs, etc etc. It’s got the point where the delivery guy just apologises sadly every week.
It’s possible to set “do not substitute” on everything but it’s a ballache, and then we’d still have to go shopping anyway since half our order would still be missing.
So. Which supermarkets actually deliver most of what you order? Or at the very least, have a sane policy of substitutions?
Thanks!
Edit: Added a cute dog pic for a bit of extra casualness.
The problem you’re going to have, especially with substitute items is that the staff don’t really have the time to be picky with what they’re picking. Often the gun will select something that’s in a different location, which means they’ve got to trek elsewhere to get it…or they can keep to their times, select something else entirely and move on with their pick; especially in the run up to Christmas where there’s a massive influx of untrained staff who frankly, couldn’t give a shit.
Obviously there’s going to be a bit of shift from store to store, company to company, but I think there’s a general view that if the customer is that put out by the subs, they’ll just come and get their shopping in store next time, or they won’t and another customer will fill the slot.
It’s bad for customers and bad for colleagues, but the bosses just don’t give a crap. £££ go up.
Anyway. Forgive my moan. I don’t really have anything meaningful to add to this. Maybe give Ocado a look? They tend to be a bit pricier but I imagine, given the nature of their business that getting it right on the doorstep is the be all and end.
*I worked in a Sainsbury’s supermarket for fifteen years.
Cheers, tbh I doubt we have access to Ocado round here but it’s getting to the point where if we do, pricier might actually be worth it! Will look into it. (Update: nope)
Moaning and solidarity also appreciated, I wrote this post after we got today’s substitutions list and it’s more of an off-my-chest moment than anything else :D
Nah I get it. I’ve had substitutes before and there’s so many, and they happen so often that I question why I’d even risk it to begin with.
Same goes with these new Deliveroo type ordering services, they’re wrong just enough that I’m almost ready to give up with them completely.
Frankly it’s going to depend on the state of the store or CFC that covers your patch, subs are caused by poor stock routines more than anything. That said ASDA has been going to trash round me for a long time now. I only go there for the occasional bit that I need to pick up right now.
Makes sense I suppose, just thought there might be some sort of pattern to emerge from the replies to give us a clue where to start experimenting. Mostly the pattern seems to be they’re all shite, which I probably shouldn’t be surprised at haha
Yeah, as I said it’s going to be based on region. If you are served out of a store you can at least go in and have a look at how well it is run and how well things are kept stocked. The pickers pick off the same shelves as regular shoppers there. CFCs are a bit more of a black box but in theory they work better because you can run everything so much more smoothly and predictively. In practice though pickers there are far more overloaded and there is less ability to break from the plan and there is just less backstock in general. If someone drops a case of jam then that might be all there is until tomorrow.
Only real thing you can do is give them a go. It’s worth remembering that Tesco and Asda are independent, but Morrisons, Waitrose, M&S, and Ocado might actually be working out of the same site.
The other option is meal kit delivery. I know some people who use HelloFresh and they seem to be generally pleased with it. There are some mistakes but they keep using them so it can’t be terrible.
It very much depends on your area. The discretionary part will vary from shop to shop. The ones we use in the NE have been fine for the many years we have used them with the exception of veggies of late. Brexit has made veggies a pain for superstores it seems. I buy those in person so I can see what I am getting.
Milk tends to be smashed around for some reason. It is becoming a regular thing now where milk is leaking due to abuse. This leads to us handing the leaking milk back to the delivery guy/girl, where it is refunded and handed back to us to get rid of. This is not the bonus you would expect, as we have to then clean up the spilled milk that has been sitting under the leaky container.
What we could never fault is the attitude of the people who run the deliveries. We use either Sainsburys, Asda or Morrisons. I have no idea why my wife swaps between them. I don’t order the shopping online.
She could be trying to avoid a situation like we got into recently where our delivery guy started making personal recommendations based on what he’s picked up about our habits. If you cycle between them, they get to know you less! 😄
I just asked, she says that she chooses the one that has the stuff in she likes. She also says that Sainsburys are the best for sending the least substitutions, but they tend to be more expensive overall.
Upvote for sleepy dog!
The only one I’ve used is Morrison’s. It’s worked out OK for me although their time slot is more of a suggestion.
Waitrose used to make you click “do not substitute” for each item but a while ago they added a “no substitutions” checkbox for the whole order. (Their substitutions are not sane.)
God that sounds so much better!
Honestly can’t say a bad word against Morrisons - at least from a customer point of view.
I do feel bad for the drivers who seem to have gigantic catchment areas, but they’re always friendly, the bags are well packed, and the subs are sane.
Note: we do still buy things like meat in-store, because we’re picky.
+1 for Morrisons. They don’t often sub and when they do it’s usually not completely mad. We found it was significantly better than the others. I think it’s because they use Ocado’s tech rather than whatever bodge the other supermarkets have come up with.
Ocado was also good when we tried it ages ago but of course quite pricey (and the last thing I need is easier access to Percy Pigs).
This bodes well for the fact that we’ve just booked an experimental Morrisons slot for next week!
Our Asda driver is great too tbf, although he is maybe getting a bit too familiar with our shopping habits so it was probably time to mix it up anyway 😅
I know I am very late to respond, but amazons grocery service had an option to accept or decline replacements while the employee is picking them if you have the app open. They use Morrisons inventory iirc.
You could slso try this in [email protected]
The only one that has been good is Waitrose. Difficulty when you live near a small store, because they don’t have the range.
Asda is always a disaster. Hell, you don’t get the stuff you want when you physically go to the shop.
Tesco is ok.
If you have the money, use Waitrose. The reputation is deceptive as their budget range is as good as some of the other supermarkets super-duper and less than the cost. You will order nice stuff too, order less kale to make up for it! 🤣😂
