The archived FAQ page of a Devon organic supplier answered typical questions about ordering food by post. The details below describe how such services commonly work, based on that page. No prices, charges or contact points are repeated, since they belong to the past.
Where and when does delivery happen?
The supplier delivered by courier within about a day of dispatch across the UK. Urgent or next-day delivery was sometimes possible if an order was placed before noon, except for vegetable boxes. Customers could add delivery instructions. Meat was usually vacuum-sealed and chill-packed in insulated containers.
How do vegetable boxes fit in?
Boxes were delivered weekly on a set day. Orders had to be in by a cut-off earlier in the week so that the box could be packed from fresh produce.
Do I have to buy standard weights?
No. The shop prepared orders to the customer’s wishes. For example, 500 g of mince could be split into two 250 g packs if requested in the order notes.
What if something runs out?
Because quality and freshness were priorities, some lines were limited. If an item was unavailable, a similar or better product might be substituted.
What about delivery charges?
Charges varied with order value and day of the week, with higher costs at weekends. Anyone ordering anything today should check current terms.
Is online ordering safe?
The page argued that the risk to card details online is no greater than in a shop, and said the shop used a secure server for extra reassurance. Shoppers today should still look for encrypted connections and reputable payment methods.
See also the mail order overview and the product range.