Forum Topic

Ocado deliveries

Good morning everyone. For those who receive grocery deliveries from supermarkets, do you tip your driver or not? I never have done but my driver last night hung around as if expecting something and for the first time it occurred to me that this may be the done thing. What do you think?

Caroline Riddell ● 7400d8 Comments

"No, I wouldn't tip!  I have given up on Tescos long ago as unreliable both in time, prices and substitutions. "True, but it always gives a great excuse to phone up and get the delivery cost back "Now I'm going to have to drive to the store and buy another *cough*"

Steve Peake ● 7395d

No, I wouldn't tip!  I have given up on Tescos long ago as unreliable both in time, prices and substitutions.  I have yet to try Ocado.  Had no trouble, on the other hand in getting Tescos to bring goods through to the kitchen, whereas in the country(Bedford) they say they are NOT allowed to enter the house.  However, THERE they never seem to get substitutes for things they have ordered, so there is no necessity to go through the order with the driver checking every item as here in London!  W4 is served by Stamford Brook Dept and that seems to be particularly bad at deliveries and public relations.  It's no use saying 'we're sorry....' if you are left without veg. or even the Sunday joint, for the week-end!  Getting a substitute of a rabbit, doesn't really help either!

Lois Westby ● 7397d

'Look both ways when you cross the road 'is a good tip as is 'if you're going to bet on a horse,make sure it's the winner'!

Keith Iddon ● 7399d

Jim, very interesting to hear it from the other side. My Brentford home was indeed an obstacle course but my Isleworth house is very easy...and I usually send my other half out to help with the heavy stuff. As a manager in a customer service related environment I'm constantly amazed by how rude customers can be so I wasn't too surprised to hear your cleaning lady's reports of ingratitude!

Caroline Riddell ● 7399d

Caroline: Hopefully the delivery to your home is quite straightforward...and not like an obstacle course for the hard pressed driver!!My cleaning lady is short and petit and somehow she managed to cope with driving one of Tesco's Vans for about  £6 plus per hour..but her description of the daily ordeal was a bit of a nightmare.Sometimes the order fillers at the shop were late making up the orders..and she still had to aim to clear all the deliveries in the alloted time..even if she was held up at the shop.Rain or shine, she hoped for a good parking space outside the house..or block of flats. Politely..when the front door opened..she would asked where her delvery trays could be placed...and very often this was interpreted as a willingness to point to some distant kitchen!! whilst "the 'ole man" was spread out in the living room watching the TV.Sometime these crates had to be carried up stairs (so you can't see the steps)..and delays occured if the purchaser wanted to check every item to make sure she/he was happy with all the substitute items.Occasionally, in narrow roads, the van had to moved from its tight parking spot half-way through the delivery. One occasion..with the van mirror out of position..the shutters still up...and doing quick re-park..three customers trays fell out and spilled over the road...the goods now being out of order!This lady rarely got tips..sometimes from elderly folk..and sometime with heavyweight stuff. Overall this delivery driver found lots of the customers indifferent or ungrateful for her slogging.So: one out of ten might tip..a few coins. Make someone's day....surprise them!!

Jim Lawes ● 7400d

Thanks Gerry and Duncan, that's put my mind at rest! I must admit it has never even crossed my mind but the delivery driver (a young lad, not my regular) last night kind of stood there awkwardly looking at me and my boyfriend last night and we both thought the same. Ocado are excellent, I agree and have used them in Brentford and Isleworth very successfully

Caroline Riddell ● 7400d

Caroline, I have had Ocado (Waitrose) deliveries ever since they started in Brentford and they are excellent. They do not expect tips, as they were set up to provide the best customer services as their unique differentiator from the other home delivery service. I can recommend them to anybody.

Duncan Walker ● 7400d

Certainly NOT! If the delivery person is a regular, then perhaps a bottle of Glenfiddich at Christmas might be considered. ;-(

Gerry Tan ● 7400d