Dear Albert Heijn,
We need to talk. I feel we’ve come to a point in our relationship of over 3 years where we can be honest with each other. You’ve been there through modified bedrest, premature deliveries and anxious parents of twins who are afraid to leave the house . You’ve come in snow, rain and heat with my crazy orders of 10,000 diapers and a bottle of milk. Most of the time you get my order right, and I get everything on my list – and I’ve forgiven you for the times that you’ve been out of stock on toilet paper and cucumbers, forcing me to leave the comfort and safety of my house for the real world.
Things have been good between us, haven’t they? You’ve had a loyal customer who loves your home deliveries and looks forward to the monthly delivery of all the stuff I can’t be bothered lifting or carrying home. I’ve had some good service and who can complain when you send around that good looking delivery driver who drops the load right in your kitchen and smiles at you as he asks you to put in your PIN …
I have to admit though, my attentions have been straying. Things are getting expensive, and I’ve been forced to look around at other options.
And then, today, I cheated on you.
I discovered someone else delivers to my door. They offered me free delivery on items that I actually purchase. They had good deals. It was all so tempting. Cautiously, I compared side by side on some of my regular products – and they were cheaper! I found myself clicking and building a shopping list and then … I ordered from someone else. But it doesn’t end there. I realised that I had already ordered from you the same day! What was I going to do if you met on my doorstep? I carefully scheduled a delivery time later in the day, and prayed that you wouldn’t meet.
You were late this morning. Nervously I paced the kitchen, hoping that you wouldn’t meet the new supermarket in my life. When you finally arrived, I paid quickly, ushered you out and then raced around, putting things away so there was no evidence for when the next driver arrived.
And then, the new blood came. On time. And he was so friendly, so nice, and so efficient, I began to fall into a trance. Everything was in my order.
Things used to be good between us. But now, you have competition. The cliche is “It’s not you, it’s me…”. I’m beginning to think maybe it is you …
As for next month, well, it depends on how things go. I’ll still pop down to you to get the occasional thing, but for deliveries, I’ve tasted a new world. And I liked it …
Sincerely,
Stephanie
I tend to shop around… Don’t judge me.