Our despair at trying to book Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose shopping slots

From: Roger J Wilson, Broadmanor, Pocklington.
The performance of supermarkets like Tesco continues to prompt much discussion.The performance of supermarkets like Tesco continues to prompt much discussion.
The performance of supermarkets like Tesco continues to prompt much discussion.

CONTRARY to your correspondent Dr Sheila Hopkinson’s experience with online shopping, we, too, have shopped with Sainsbury’s for a very long time.

Because my wife has special dietary requirements, it is necessary and preferred to personally shop in-store for our groceries.

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We have not previously signed up for online shopping, but with coronavirus and our self-isolation, we tried to do so, but found they had closed enrolment.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab remains in charge of the country after Boris Johnson was hospitalised with Covid-19.Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab remains in charge of the country after Boris Johnson was hospitalised with Covid-19.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab remains in charge of the country after Boris Johnson was hospitalised with Covid-19.

Then we tried our local Tesco and did manage to complete our grocery order but when it came to choosing a slot ...it was in 17 days’ time.

On reading that they had released additional slots, we tried again and, although these incurred a delivery charge, we placed our order successfully.

On trying to book again for our next shop, we found all slots had again disappeared.

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Waitrose, which we also use, cannot offer any available booking slots at anytime, although they continue to bombard us with update e-mails on a regular basis.

Police have been enforcing social distancing protocols over the Easter weekend.Police have been enforcing social distancing protocols over the Easter weekend.
Police have been enforcing social distancing protocols over the Easter weekend.

I did return my own e-mail to them after the latest update to point out that not only are we both classed as vulnerable, but that I am also disabled and have underlying health problems.

The response was they would try to contact us, but that it could take five days or even longer.

Dr Hopkinson asks “Who could ask for a better service?” We could.

From: John Riseley, Harcourt Drive, Harrogate.

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I GET that people have been furloughed through no fault of their own. But my understanding was that the difference between typical rates of pay for the employed – and the level of support given to the unemployed – represents a reward for working rather than a punishment for not working.

The payments act as a retainer while awaiting a return to one’s old job, also sensibly allowing a furloughed worker to take on one of the new jobs thrown up by the crisis. But how long will it remain acceptable to draw two salaries, one for working and one for not, while the nation sinks deeper into debt? Yet, if it has to be one or the other, can we allow the not-working option to be the more attractive?

In the short term this rough and ready package may have been just what was needed to get people pulling together, but in the longer term it will be unpicked and become a source of division. It will be a question of whether the sustainability of lockdown is threatened more by unrest over a fall in income or by the realisation that its cost is mortgaging everyone’s future.

From: Steve Wilson, Lenton Villas, Bradford.

The announcement of a Premier League footballers’ fund to help the NHS is welcome but demonstrates how they missed the point of the public’s anger, largely as a result of clubs using Government funds to furlough non-playing staff. Surely this is taking with one hand and giving back with the other?

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Many individuals do great work. However, they are public figures and, with an average salary of £3.5m a year, easy targets.

There are far wealthier fund managers, many profiting obscenely during this time, but they benefit largely from anonymity. You want fame and fortune, you pay the price.


From: Peter Hyde, Driffield.

ISN’T it amazing how a crisis like coronavirus brings out the best and worst in people? My neighbours, family and friends have been fantastic. Shopping and newspapers have been no bother. My church has kept in contact.  Then we have those who ignore the rules  – those who spit at others and wipe their saliva on food. They are evil. Thank goodness I have only experienced the first type and, for that, I can only express my heartfelt thanks.

From: P Armstrong, Hall Bank Drive, Bingley.

ONE  thing which has come out of the present situation is how much we rely upon other countries for supplies.

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There must be very few companies which are still UK-owned.  Perhaps we now should try to bring back some of our manufacturing industries.

The salt in the wound was having to buy PPE equipment from abroad – surely we can produce things like that here and also in sufficient quantity?

From: Peter Rickaby, Selby.

WHY should Royal Ascot races go ahead behind closed doors when other similar equine events have had to be cancelled?  It doesn’t appear to be a particularly well thought through idea by those advising the Queen.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor