We may have to rely on her a bit more if we can't get home delivery slots for a while although Tesco say they are still planning to increase the number of slots. We've had an email from Tesco to say that they are suspending Delivery Saver subscription fees until they can offer the full service again and refunding half the fees paid for March to. The Tesco website states: 'So that we can help as many customers as possible, our priority delivery slots will have an 8-hour delivery window – either from 10am to 6pm or 2pm to 10pm. If you ring Tesco they will add you to their priority list for slots Still get a delivery pass though as that lets you book a week ahead. The priority ones are an all day long slot but you get an hours time slot on the day.
© Publicity PictureThere's no doubt that getting a shopping delivery slot has been harder than usual since the UK went into lockdown eight weeks ago.
Tesco No Delivery Slots At Midnight Night
In an attempt to take some of the stress away, Martin Lewis' MoneySavingExpert.com has compiled a list of top tips.
The list shows how far ahead each supermarket releases its slots and how you might get your hands on one, reports BirminghamLive.
The supermarket with the longest lead time appears to be Tesco with a massive 21 days, which assumes you know what you'll want to eat three weeks in advance.
Waitrose and Morrisons release their slots just three days ahead.
So you might know what you want to eat but will you then have enough time to get your order in before all of the slots are quickly taken?
Tesco Pick A Slot
Here's how the supermarket giants are operating according to Moneysavingexpert.
Three days ahead
Waitrose - used to be in partnership with Ocado but not any more.
So it might well be looking to expand times in due course.
For slots, it said it is 'advising customers to check each morning'.
Shoppers surveyed said they had success from 6am to 8am as well as randomly during the day.
Morrisons - shoppers top tip was to try just after midnight
Five days ahead
Co-op - told Martin Lewis that 'slots are launched every day, at around midnight'.
Seven days ahead
Iceland - the company said times were specific to stores, so Martin Lewis's 'Forumites' reported different results in tandem.
Sainsbury's - told Martin Lewis that 'when the slots are released will vary - there isn't a specific time and it doesn't depend on the store'.
One follower reported success every Monday.
Ocado - the online supermarket was a former partner with Waitrose but recently jumped into bed with M&S and is due start selling its products, as well as its own, from September.
It said there wasn't a fixed time when they were released, but priority customers were emailed about availability.
Once they've had a chance to book, non-priority customers are notified - via a message on the home page - and are then able to book any remaining slots.
14 days ahead
Asda - revealed that slots update as and when they become available in each area. Popular times to get a slot were typically 10pm or midnight, though some followers said between 2am and 4am.
21 days ahead
Tesco - Martin Lewis was told 'slots tend to be released at midnight for three weeks ahead' but that it's busy adding extra vans to create more slots.
Top tips include logging on ten minutes early and then trying to book after midnight.
Video
A delivery from Morrisons; a welcome sight if you can get a delivery booked. Pic: Morrisons
Shoppers in Norfolk are still struggling to get hold of essentials as supermarkets battle to cope with extra demand due to coronavirus.
It comes as some stores are almost doubling the number of home delivery and click and collect slots, recruiting extra drivers and packers.
But the stores admit it is still not enough.
And in a desperate bid to get a slot people are waiting up until midnight when many of the supermarkets add extra availability – at a premium surcharge of up to £7. You then have to complete your shopping by 2am otherwise you lose the slot.
Others are forced to venture out to supermarkets and stand in orderly but snaking queues due to social distancing.
A queue for Morrisons during the Coronavirus lockdown in Dereham. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2020
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People voiced their frustration at the stressful process online in community forums. One shopper living in Aylsham posted on the site Nextdoor: 'Had a phone message to say I can have a weekly online delivery due to NHS shielding registration ... I can't find any slots at all up to May 3.' Another user, also from Aylsham, posted: 'I had to stay up and join the rush for the midnight release of slots as now all the vulnerable slots are booked up three weeks ahead.'
Local authorities are helping out with running errands such as shopping and prescription collection for those who have registered on the government website but the system has a backlog.
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At 8am this newspaper tried to book a home delivery or click and collect slot:
• Morrisons – There was an estimated wait time in an online queue of 17 minutes with 15,205 users ahead just to access the site.
• Waitrose – No delivery or click and collect slots were showing any time in the future at North Walsham.
No delivery slots or click and collect at Waitrose. Pic: Archant
• Asda – There were just two home delivery slots on Tuesday April 28, costing £4, and no click and collects showing up until April 29.
• Sainsbury's – The store in North Walsham was showing nothing available.
New apps are now available such as ‘Check-In' which shows you how long the queue is at your nearest supermarket and whether they are running out of essentials.
Dave Lewis, chief executive at Tesco, said: 'Through a series of measures including more drivers, pickers and vans, we'll expand the number of slots available each week; but this still isn't enough to meet the demand.'
Two £4 delivery slots at Asda. Pic: Archant
A spokeswoman at Asda said: 'We're doing all we can and would continue to urge customers who are able to visit shops to think of how they can support others in their community and if they can shop for them.'
For more updates on coronavirus in Norfolk see the Facebook page here
For more updates on coronavirus in Norfolk see the Facebook page here
Tesco slots available but at the highest surchage price. Pic: Archant
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