This is what I was talking about

spuds
Originally uploaded by mcmrbt.

Older readers may remember that, following positive reports from the Consumer's Association, I decided to try the Waitrose/Ocado online grocery shopping experience.

The view I've expressed in the past is that you just can't trust that people are going to be as fussy about picking up vegetables and stuff as you would be.

Previously, I'd tried to Sainsbury's service, and while it was okay, you never quite got all you ordered, and there were often substituted items.

The positive news about Ocado is that, not only did they deliver on time, but every single item ordered was present and correct. And the whole thing cost about a pound less than the on-line estimate.

So far so good, but oh dear, look at the potatoes. Would you have picked these up in the shop? Out of 5kg of Maris Pipers, 600g goes straight in the bin (pausing briefly for a photo opportunity). They weren't hiding: the bag was damaged, and it's clear the damage to the spuds was caused mechanically - they obviously got caught up in the packing machinery. It's bad enough that they were then sent on to the supermarket/online shopping warehouse - but they were then carefully chosen and dispatched to my house.

Cheers for that, Ocado.