For those who order their groceries online substitutes are something you come to accept.
That is unless there's a gaping gap between what you order and what you receive when the delivery driver arrives. Double is the problem when it's time-sensitive – such as at Christmas – and you really need the item that's been swapped for something entirely different.
For the majority of shoppers who order their Christmas big shop online, substitutes are little more than an inconvenience. But occasionally – especially around Christmas when things are at their busiest for the pickers and packers – substitutes can be bewildering, infuriating even.
Read more: Leeds dad forced to tell kids he can't afford Christmas presents - their response left him broken'
We've trawled the Twitterverse to find some of the least fathomable and most inconvenient substitutes from the four main grocers who deliver – plus another from the demanding world of Ocado shoppers. Can a simple silly swap ruin Christmas? Have a goosey below.
Very lazy indeed
We assume @hazeljeremy wanted duck fat for her roast potatoes. I suppose they come in similar-sized jars.
"@asda since when was Very Lazy garlic a good substitute for duck fat?", she asks.
Asda replies: "Hi Hazel, this is indeed a very lazy substitute. If you could send us a DM... so I can look into this for you."
Oh, dairy me
Sam Nathan complains: "Dear @sainsburys. I don’t really think this is a good substitute for #plantpioneers cheese board which is #vegan. Very bad choice!"
Sainsbury's replies: "Terribly sorry about that! If you send us a DM... we'll get that looked into ASAP for you."
To booze or not to booze
Receiving a non-alcoholic drink when you ordered an alcoholic one is annoying. The reverse, however, is inappropriate.
Neil Sharp complains about his cider delivery: "Hey @asda- substituting non-alcohol [sic] drinks with alcoholic ones is 100% NOT ok!"
Fowl play
If your delivery is missing the number one, essential Christmas item – i.e. the turkey – you have good cause to be upset. Stephanie Attewell was understandably very cross with Morrisons.
She posts: "Shocking service! Had a phone call to say that the turkey I ordered was not available and offered a substitute which I accepted. Delivery today and no turkey available two days before Christmas."
Morrisons replied: "Really sorry, let me look into this for you. Please DM....so we can look into this. We will respond if we need any further info or when we have an outcome."
You've made a mug of me
At least Gummy Mummy saw the funny side of this.
She writes: "I've had 17 substitutes from Asda for Christmas dinner shop. The funniest being a 'Star Dad' mug being changed to 'Cat Dad' mug. He hates cats."
Exceedingly disappointing
No disrespect to Mr Kipling but it isn't exceedingly good to be receiving 'his' pies when you've ordered M&S ones.
Brandon: "How do you substitute mince pies on an order placed months in advance for Christmas week? Really disappointing. Not to mention that I find it hard to believe you had no houmous to sub despite several brands showing in stock today."
Ocado replies: "Hi Brandon, we're sorry to see you have not received any houmous, and that your mince pies got substituted. For us to look into this further for you, can you drop us a DM..."
In response to customers' complaints about substituted items, an Asda spokesperson said: "We will deliver more than 1m Christmas orders this week across the UK and whilst we always try to make sure every delivery is perfect, delays or missing items can occasionally affect a small number of orders. We are picking up with those customers who are affected to try and find a solution as soon as possible."
Read next:
- Tragedy as Leeds pensioner dies just days before Christmas after crashing his Audi
- Strictly's Helen Skelton shares rare snap of all three children as they enjoy Christmas day out
- Leeds man struggling on benefits had to get kids' Christmas presents from charity
- Karen’s Diner bringing bottomless brunch to Leeds as staff aim to 'offend everyone in the city'
- 39 rescue dogs in Leeds looking for their forever homes this Christmas
