Tesco... you're a life saver (tesco.com)

Member Name: kellylouj

Product:	tesco.com
Date:	16/08/06 (2065 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Avoid queues and trolley bashers

Disadvantages: Some items may not be available when delivered

After a long week at work the last thing I want to go and do is the shopping in a packed supermarket battling with trolleys and grannies who block the stock with their trolley so you can't even get to it.

Mark my partner he also hates shopping and I could never ever get him to volunteer for the shopping that is until he volunteered to do it online.

Tesco.com is a great, stress free way of getting the shopping done quickly and easily. I like the fact that if you have the same food products each week that they can be saved to your favourites and just place your order once more its so easy.

Today was our second delivery and we plan on using it each and every time as its the most convenient way of getting your shopping when you work 12 hours days and don't have time to catch the shops before they close.

***Registering for the facility***
In order to use the online shopping facility you need to register your details with Tesco which take a few moments.
Enter your email address and postcode along with your Tesco Clubcard Number and then follow on to the next page to enter your delivery details and create your own password.
Once you have provided all this information you will then be sent an email to verify your details and start shopping online.
I found this relatively easy and as a regular internet user its as simple as filling in yet another online form of course you do have to remember your password each time you login but if you have forgotton your password there is a forgotton password link which I have used on occassion.

***Booking a Delivery Slot***
This can be done for up to 3 weeks in advance so if you are going on holiday you can arrange to have your shopping delivered the day that you get back..fab!!!
You can book a delivery slot before you start shopping, during your shop or at check-out.
Delivery slots are guaranteed to arrve within a 2 hour period beginning 9am and the last delivery can take place at 11pm.
We have had a deliery on a Saturday morning and also midweek and find the service fantastic, the drivers are friendly and helpful and I always send them off with my excess carrier bags.

Friday and Saturday slots tend to be £5.99 and all other days £4.99.
If you are signed up to the tesco emails from their site you can get offer codes emailed to you for free delivery or a discount off your shop online so that is well worth doing.
On each shop we have had a delivery normally within the first 5-10 minutes of expecting the shop which is great but would be even better if this could be a guarantee, however if you don't like waiting in for up to 2 hours for a delivery this is not for you as there is no guarantee you get the delivery at the beginning of your slot like we do.
I think it is because we live closest to the store for the delivery so is why we get delivery pretty early in the slot which doesn't pose to be a problem!

***Shopping***
Along the left hand side is where you find the options to:_

Book your delivery slot
View the online shopping guide
Grocery Help
View the special offers
Buy 1 get 1 free
Long term price offers
Kid's Range
Kid's Cooking
Our Clubs
Our Brands
Extra Online
What's New

As well as seasonal offers such as Barbeque, Back to School and Recipes.

I find that they are easy to navigate, although I do know for a fact that if my Mum came to use this site she would struggle, this is where Tesco do offer 3 facilities to help which I'll explain further down.

Along the top of the screen you will see the option for the main tabs if you are familiar with the shopping process then you can start your shop here.

I tend to check the special offers first as it may influence my decisions on the other items that I put in the shop.
I like the fact that the site is easy to navigate and is easy to use for even the simplest of user once you get the hang of it like I did.

***My Favourites***
This section allows you to store items that you purchase regularly and track your last order, if you order the same staple goods each month I recommend using this feature as it saves you flicking through your last order to see the weights of the products that you chose for joints of meat and if you have the same vegetables each week then add them here and it saves your going through the whole selection process once more.

***Express Shopper***
If you know what you want simply type the items onto the virtual notepad on the left hand side of the screen and enter all the items you wish to purchase.
Click the find now button and the results will be returned one by one, saves time searching the categories to find the items that you want.
I prefer to use this to prevent me from adding "unnecessary" items to the basket and would also recommend this to someone unsure on placing their first order.
I have shown my mum this way to shop as I think this would be the easiest option for her to just jot down the items she wants and let the site search for them, I think that this is the quickest way and easiest.

***Shopping Categories***
Items are stored under categories if you choose to use the browse categories and select your items individually one by one.
I did this on the first shop and got myself all confused, can take you a lot longer using this way to shop.
I like the fact that all the products can be bought online and you can choose your substitutions, stating if your chosen product is not available whether to supply any alternative by Tesco or to choose not to have a replacement.
For each product there is an option to add a note and here this is where you can specify an alternative if your original choice is not available or choose for a replacement not to be issued.
This will solve the problem of getting alternatives you feel are not suitable, if you are not bothered simply leave it blank and you will get an adequate replacement if you don't want it simply hand it back to the driver and they will deduct it from the bill. Simple!

***Food and Drink***
Bakery and Cakes contains all fresh items such as Bread, Baguettes, Donuts, Cookies and Cakes

Fresh Fruit contains all the fresh fruit items stocked by Tesco including ready prepared fresh fruit.

Vegetables, Salads and Dips contain all the fresh vegetables and is broken down into sub categories such as root vegetables to help you navigate your way around easier.

Dairy, eggs and cheese contains exactly what is says on the label, all cheeses, eggs and milk, butter products stocked.

Ready Meals and Pizza contains all the items from the Finest Range, Healthy Living range and the Italy range.

Biscuits, Snacks and Sweets contain branded and tesco sweets and biscuits.

Breakfast Cereals including organic cereals.

Cooking Ingredients
Cooking Nuts, Cooking Sauces, Dried Fruit, Flour & Suet, Gravy & Stock Cubes, Home Baking, Oils, Organic, Salt, Herbs & Spices, Stuffing & Breadcrumbs, Sugar, Tomato Puree, Finest* Range

Tins, Packets and Jars this is a large category including Pickles, Sauces, Desserts, Custard, Noodles, tinned products and much more.

Frozen Chips and Veg also contains frozen potatoes.

Frozen meat, poultry, fish which includes frozen BBQ items, fishfingers and fishcakes.

Frozen ready meals and pizza and frozen pies and savouries.

Frozen dessert and ice cream including ice lollies.

Soft and Hot Drinks including cordial and fizzy pop.

Beer, Cider and Alcopops the full range is available.

Spirits including whiskey, liquer, rum, vodka and more.

Wines including the finest range.

***Toiletry and Baby***

Baby includes nappies, cotton buds, wipes, creams and bathing products among others.

Healthcare includes Diet and Health products, eye care, alternative remedies, first aid, family planning, foot care, medicines, vitamins and supplements.

Toiletries include Deodorant and body sprays, soap and bath care, hair care and oral care.

Beauty and Skincare Products

Tights including knee high and stockings.

***House and Pet***

Household includes candles, air freshners, cleaning equipment and products, washing up, foil, cling film, bin liners and tissues.

Home Essentials include BBQ, cookware, glasses and tableware.

Pet care includes Cat, Dog and other animal food.

Electrical and Car care contains batteries, car care essentials, plugs and vacuum bags as well as the essential light bulbs.

Newsagents is the sections where you can order newspapers and magazines.

There are also the following categories which I have not yet used:-

Stationary
Mobile Phones
Photography
Tobacconist

Once you have finished your shopping you then go to the checkout page which will ask you to review your basket.

If you have e vouchers/coupons here is where you can input the codes to gain any bonus points and discounts.

When your details are correct you simply continue to checkout and verify your address and payment details its as simple as that.

You will automatically receive an email confirmation with your shopping list confirming the time of delivery and the cost of your shopping.

If any items are not in stock then they will provide a substitution of the same of similar product, if you do not want Tesco to choose this for you then your will need to add notes to the products that you would not want to be substituted if there was none left in stock.

***The Delivery***
So far on our orders we have had the shopping at the beginning of our slot so we have not had to wait the two hours for the delivery to arrive which is good, however not knowing when the delivery will exactly arrive can cause problems if you have other plans.

When the delivery arrives all the frozen items are stored in a freezer compartment in the van and your items are all stored together, the driver will bring the items to your door and also take away and carrier bags to be recycled if you have plenty to get rid of.

You will then be given a copy of the shopping list to confirm that all the items have been delivered and you will be asked to sign for the order.

It is here that you will be advised if you have received substitutions or changes to your original order.I always check the order immediately so that if items are missing it is reported as soon as possible, no items have so far been missing so I must have a great personal shopper at our branch.

I cannot fault this service offered by Tesco and am now fully converted I just wish the delivery cost was reduced.

In my opinion if you hate supermarket shopping this is currently the best service out there, I like the facilities offered online and think it will be gradually used more as people get familiar and used to the service offered.

Summary: A more convenient way to complete the shopping.