Ocado Driver vs Just Eat

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lost in espace

Original Poster:

6,136 posts

206 months

Monday 23rd March 2020
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As all my running race timing for this year has all folded I am looking for work so I am not just a tea boy to the wife at home.

I signed up to Just Eat, I have a Leaf and rapid charging is cheap and local. Just waiting for the insurance to come through and I am ready to go. I have just had a call from Ocado to go to an interview, I would think I would get the job.

Does anyone know if Just Eat has the potential to pay more with a low fuel cost or Ocado which will be a minimum of £20k by the look of it. Based in Hatfield.

hyphen

26,262 posts

89 months

Monday 23rd March 2020
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Just eat- you go takeaway to takeaway collecting food, maybe delivering to rough council estates, time pressures.

Ocado, i imagine you take a load and go for the day/half a day, mostly be interacting with middle class milfs...

So would say forget any pennies difference, and go for ocado.

lost in espace

Original Poster:

6,136 posts

206 months

Monday 23rd March 2020
quotequote all
hyphen said:
Just eat- you go takeaway to takeaway collecting food, maybe delivering to rough council estates, time pressures.

Ocado, i imagine you take a load and go for the day/half a day, mostly be interacting with middle class milfs...

So would say forget any pennies difference, and go for ocado.
Thanks Hyphen, you have a point there! They did say I didn't have to load the van and it was automatic too. Cheers.

Sammo123

2,103 posts

180 months

Tuesday 24th March 2020
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I worked for Ocado about seven years ago. The vans are pre loaded when you arrive at the depot. Your route is pre-planned and loaded onto the hand held scanner/nav unit. The vans are all automatic (and some even have a working radio!). Just bare in mind that there is lots of heavy lifting involved and if the lorry arrives late at the depot (which it will quite frequently) then you’re going to be rushing to get the deliveries done in the time slots given and then possibly staying late as well.

However, I thoroughly enjoyed working for Ocado and if money wasn’t a deciding factor in what I did as a job I would go back there tomorrow smile

lost in espace

Original Poster:

6,136 posts

206 months

Tuesday 24th March 2020
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Thanks Sammo I will let you know how I get on, they did mention automatic and pre loaded.

LosingGrip

7,806 posts

158 months

Tuesday 24th March 2020
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Ex delivery driver for Tesco. Similar model I believe.

Vans already loaded, route sorted out in order.

We had a maximum of 17 drops between 0800 and 1245.

30 minutes to unload/reload. Hour lunch before going back out at 1315 for another maximum 17 drops before 1830.

30 minutes to unload and load for the evening driver who had again a maximum of 17 drops between 1800 and 2145 (finished at 2200).

If we had more miles we had less deliveries. Before I left we got a new route. We would do almost 200 miles a day with maybe 16 drops in the day.

It's not a bad job. The politics of a supermarket was the worst bit for me.

I've not done Just Eat, but I would pick the supermarket deliveries any day.

lost in espace

Original Poster:

6,136 posts

206 months

Thursday 26th March 2020
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Just signed the contract start next Monday if not next week. Thanks for the help and advice, should be a good time to start with emptyish roads and just dropping at the door.

LudaMusser

159 posts

112 months

Friday 27th March 2020
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I was at Ocado from 2010-2013. The relocation was the main reason I left, from a 12 mile round trip to 52 miles. The shifts are mainly lates and I used to do 11/13 Saturday’s and about half of the Sunday’s.

The milf thing was very rare btw lol but on the whole really enjoyed it. Shame oxford took the Cotswolds off us, gorgeous countryside. You will deliver to the odd celeb and get quite a lot of cash tips. Parking in narrow streets and apartments are the main negative but were few and far between. If you have a calm nature you’ll be fine. Delivered to a few oddballs. The one that always comes to mind was a guy wearing shorts, a bumbag and a pair of marigolds. Luckily I didn’t have to go in

lost in espace

Original Poster:

6,136 posts

206 months

Friday 27th March 2020
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Thanks LudaMussa they just rang and I start on Monday now. Will update next week.

lost in espace

Original Poster:

6,136 posts

206 months

Tuesday 31st March 2020
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Training nearly done, just need a site tour. Very impressed so far, due to corona we don't get accompanied on our first few shifts so tomorrow I am actually delivering.

I spent a very nervous 3 hours with an ADI today in a van, I was really pleased with the feedback although there was virtually no traffic. The rear overhand is 4m so just need to be careful about parking or reversing if at all is the advice.

Made the right decision to go with Ocado that is for sure, company shop, life insurance, 15% off Ocado deliveries. Pay not brilliant but I feel lucky to have got a job so quickly with rising unemployment.

easytiger123

2,591 posts

208 months

Tuesday 31st March 2020
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lost in espace said:
Training nearly done, just need a site tour. Very impressed so far, due to corona we don't get accompanied on our first few shifts so tomorrow I am actually delivering.

I spent a very nervous 3 hours with an ADI today in a van, I was really pleased with the feedback although there was virtually no traffic. The rear overhand is 4m so just need to be careful about parking or reversing if at all is the advice.

Made the right decision to go with Ocado that is for sure, company shop, life insurance, 15% off Ocado deliveries. Pay not brilliant but I feel lucky to have got a job so quickly with rising unemployment.
Fantastic! Best of luck for your first day. Let us know how it goes.

LudaMusser

159 posts

112 months

Tuesday 31st March 2020
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Which spoke are you running out of mate? Sounds like one of the CFC’s if there’s a shop. I was at Dordon

My tip would be to have your own sat nav running for every address as the Panasonic would sometimes let you down, switch off or crash which then took 3-4 minutes to come back on

Good luck, as driving jobs go it’s one of the better ones and for driving a van well paid

Edited by LudaMusser on Tuesday 31st March 23:20


Edited by LudaMusser on Tuesday 31st March 23:21

Sammo123

2,103 posts

180 months

Wednesday 1st April 2020
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lost in espace said:
Training nearly done, just need a site tour. Very impressed so far, due to corona we don't get accompanied on our first few shifts so tomorrow I am actually delivering.

I spent a very nervous 3 hours with an ADI today in a van, I was really pleased with the feedback although there was virtually no traffic. The rear overhang is 4m so just need to be careful about parking or reversing if at all is the advice.

Made the right decision to go with Ocado that is for sure, company shop, life insurance, 15% off Ocado deliveries. Pay not brilliant but I feel lucky to have got a job so quickly with rising unemployment.
I’d forgotten about the “driving test” they make you do. I was nervous about that as well but I think unless you’re genuinely a st driver they’ll pass you smile

I always found the easiest way to park the vans was to hang out of the drivers door so you could see the rear corner of the van easily. Door open, right foot down on the step, hang out as far as you can while still being in control of the steering and left foot on the brake pedal laugh

As I said previously, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Ocado and even managed to come second in the Ocado Driver of the Year awards while I was there smile The money is good for driving a van but unfortunately not good enough to cover what I need it to cover each month. Good luck with your first shift. With the roads as quiet as they are I’m sure you’ll be fine smile

lost in espace

Original Poster:

6,136 posts

206 months

Thursday 2nd April 2020
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Thanks both, I am working from Hatfield and only a 10 min commute. I found the sat nav a bit lacking and will add my own and also have a look at streetview I think. Reversing tip noted!

I had 2 drops in the street no 31 and 41 and managed to get them the wrong way around, but spotted my error. An Ocado van flew by me on the A1 slip, when I got back I realised there was a massive queue of vans hence the rush. Had a box still on the van I found whilst waiting for the marshals, luckily it was on the van in error phew. Was in posh Mill Hill half the houses were self isolating.

lost in espace

Original Poster:

6,136 posts

206 months

Sunday 5th April 2020
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As we have gone straight out on our own I am learning from my own mistakes, rather than a buddy. Getting faster though.

The PDA gave me a slightly incorrect address as I was outside the wrong house, I didn't realise this. So attempted to do a drop at Jonathan Ross' house, got him out of bed. And an Ocado big boss lived next door, got away with that one.

Hampstead Garden Suburb not so good for tips as all the doors were opened by the "staff". Been in Ware and Hertford today, it's like the apocalypse on the road not a car to be seen at times. At least everyone is at home so am finishing early. Funny seeing both cars on a driveway unmoved for a long time, covered in dust.

One good perk is the company shop that sells excess food off very cheaply.

uk66fastback

16,457 posts

270 months

Friday 21st May 2021
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So, a year on Craig, are you still there and enjoying it?

lost in espace

Original Poster:

6,136 posts

206 months

Friday 21st May 2021
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uk66fastback said:
So, a year on Craig, are you still there and enjoying it?
Yeah still at it with Ocado. My mate who was recruited at the same time has just moved onto management, most of the others in my "class" have left. It is not a bad job, fairly stress free. Customers are usually nice, I only work pm as I find there is less chance of getting stuck in traffic/can't be arsed to get up early.

Basic rule of driving the vans is try to avoid reversing at all, or only a bit at a time and do a 20 point turn if needed as you have no rear view. There is a dashcam that goes off if you swerve or brake hard, you learn to brake softly for the first millisecond and it doesn't go off as easily. The are auto and easy to drive. In Christmas I nearly got stuck overnight in the flooding, I was told not to go through water higher than the wheel rim......

I have had one accident coming into some flats in Highgate there was a tree arch, someone had hit part of the tree and it was hanging down but hidden and I smacked the aircon cover on it. Funnily enough the tree has now gone. My mate had about 4 accidents in a month, it is pretty tricky to get fired.

You are rostered for 7.5hrs but it is unusual to take longer than 6 hours and only about 3-4 hours of that is lugging food. You can have some grotty shifts, in Islington/Camden or the hills of Muswell. Other shifts can be really easy. I am trying to get my house sorted for sale and I keep getting offered unpaid leave so am only working 3 days a week atm. In early June I have a knee op, so far they seem good about it. It is probably down to lugging shopping to the top of flats, and I have also got really bad tennis elbow in both arms which no amount of physio has shifted. I can manage both to these issues

Ocado is an excellent company to work for, if you stick the rules and don't cut corners. I maxed out my pension and shares, and could get private health insurance but already have that. And they gave me £200 free shares this year.

Running races are returning I have about 10 to time this year, this was my old job so I may just keep this 2 days a week. It has kept me sane in lockdown.

Thanks for asking after me!

uk66fastback

16,457 posts

270 months

Friday 21st May 2021
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That's good to hear Craig. And thanks for the feedback about how the last year has gone. I did come across the thread when doing an Ocado search and read it from the start and so glad to read the update. Of course, your wellbeing is top of the list but my search may have been slightly triggered by me starting at my Ocado branch in Peterborough next week. I was furloughed a year last April and then made redundant at the end of October, so have had three months notice plus the statutory redundancy for a good few years service.

I had been looking at driving jobs for a while as I wanted to leave the graphics/print industry which I had been in for 40 years and try something else. So I'm glad I just got this job and am looking forward to working for them - as they seem a sound company which you say they are.

I'll let you know how I get on! Glad to hear that on the whole, you've had a positive experience. I've noted the bit about the lack of reversing if you can avoid it! (Surprised there is no rear camera fitted).

lost in espace

Original Poster:

6,136 posts

206 months

Friday 21st May 2021
quotequote all
uk66fastback said:
That's good to hear Craig. And thanks for the feedback about how the last year has gone. I did come across the thread when doing an Ocado search and read it from the start and so glad to read the update. Of course, your wellbeing is top of the list but my search may have been slightly triggered by me starting at my Ocado branch in Peterborough next week. I was furloughed a year last April and then made redundant at the end of October, so have had three months notice plus the statutory redundancy for a good few years service.

I had been looking at driving jobs for a while as I wanted to leave the graphics/print industry which I had been in for 40 years and try something else. So I'm glad I just got this job and am looking forward to working for them - as they seem a sound company which you say they are.

I'll let you know how I get on! Glad to hear that on the whole, you've had a positive experience. I've noted the bit about the lack of reversing if you can avoid it! (Surprised there is no rear camera fitted).
We have about 5 vans with reversing cameras but I am so used to using the side mirrors it is more of a hazard than a help unless you are reversing right up to something. I try to work a Sat/Sun pm's as they pay is much better, and you can actually work 4 days and get paid almost 5 days salary. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I think Peterborough has fairly long routes, 50% of the times we go into London about 50 miles in total, and a long route would be 150 miles. Peterborough is usually well over 100 miles I think. The pm shifts make it like a part time job, you are only out between 3 and 9pm.

seabod91

593 posts

61 months

Friday 21st May 2021
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I’m in Welwyn garden city and had a interview booked for Ocado, but something else came up, glad your getting on ok there I know a few people who enjoy it.