[imagesource: Facebook / Checkers]

The Checkers Sixty60 promise is simple – shop rapidly online, and have your goods delivered in under an hour, with a delivery charge of R35.

Online grocery shopping has exploded over the past 15 or so months, and every time we enter another COVID-19 wave, there’s a noticeable spike in use.

Checkers was very quick out of the gate, gaining an advantage over the likes of Woolworths and Woolies Dash, but the retailer is struggling to keep up as the third wave continues to worry South Africans (other than those at Nkandla).

A quick search on Twitter shows some positive reviews, but also a number of complaints about the slowing down of turnaround times.

In response, Checkers Sixty60 has repeatedly acknowledged that it’s under strain from “unprecedented demand”:

Hi Anita, due to the third wave & the new Level 4 restrictions, Checkers Sixty60 is experiencing unprecedented demand with record order volumes. As a result, the available one-hour delivery slots fill up quickly, so customers are encouraged to place their orders early in the day.

— Checkers (@CheckersSA) July 1, 2021

Hi Mike. Thanks for reaching out to us. We are so sorry for the delay with your Sixty60 order. Due to Covid Wave 3 our service is in high demand which has affected the speed of your delivery today. We’re doing everything in our power to get your order to you as fast as possible.

— Checkers (@CheckersSA) July 4, 2021

Hi Lethabo, due to the third wave and new Level 4 restrictions, we’re experiencing unprecedented demand. We are doing everything possible to deliver all orders on time. We are so sorry that you’ve been affected. Please DM us your order number, so that we may best assist you.

— Checkers (@CheckersSA) July 5, 2021

The uptick in complaints caught the attention of consumer journalist Wendy Knowler, writing for The Sunday Times, and it’s not just Checkers on the receiving end.

Wendy highlighted these complaints:

@WOOLWORTHS_SA your online service sucks !!! My order was due for dlvry yesterday & 24 hours later no response to my email from your online team. Also no other communication from them. This is the 1st and the last time I order from your online store #patheticservice

— Shane (@speks_70) July 3, 2021

@WOOLWORTHS_SA
I find it ridiculous that I placed an order online scheduled to be delivered on https://t.co/Ki2YNGHdke’s Sunday afternoon & my food has still not been delivered. What do you propose I cook?
Your online team also doesn’t respond to my queries!Calls, Emails, ZERO!

— Gomolemo Makhalemele (@GomolemoMore) July 4, 2021

There were also users having a go Pick n Pay’s Bottles online offering.

When contacted by The Sunday Times, Woolies said it encouraged customers to make use of its free click-and-collect service, which is offered at 74 stores across the country.

Great, but that defeats the purpose of me not leaving the house.

As for Checkers Sixty60:

Checkers said its delivery slots are “filling up very quickly”, which means it may take longer than an hour for your groceries to arrive at your door.

To ensure speedy delivery, “customers are encouraged to place their orders early in the day,” the supermarket added.

Get in there early, and hope for the best.

Something else that’s worth considering – the person who responds to your tweet, or complaint on Facebook, isn’t the person responsible for your delivery arriving later than expected.

Everyone is taking serious strain. Where possible, try to be kind.

[source:sundaytimes]