Asda Shopper Receives Compensation Following Delivery Driver Incident

A 22-year-old man from Southport has received compensation from Asda after expressing feelings of humiliation during an interaction with a delivery driver. The incident occurred on October 31 when Necati Ayhan, who has disabilities, ordered groceries to be delivered to his home. Upon arrival, the delivery driver reportedly asked Mr. Ayhan to assist in carrying the shopping up a flight of stairs.

Mr. Ayhan explained to the driver that he was unable to help due to his physical limitations. He later claimed that the driver’s response left him feeling degraded. According to a report by the ECHO, the delivery driver allegedly made a disrespectful remark, stating, “disabled my a**e,” before returning to the van for additional items. A recording of the exchange captured Mr. Ayhan questioning the driver about the comment, to which the driver replied, “You don’t look disabled to me.”

The interaction escalated, prompting Mr. Ayhan to instruct the driver to return the groceries to the store. Following this incident, he took a taxi to the Central 12 store to file a formal complaint. As part of the initial response, Asda offered him a £30 voucher to cover his travel costs, but he was informed he would not receive updates regarding the complaint’s outcome.

After the ECHO published the story, Mr. Ayhan was notified that the delivery driver involved had left the company. An email from Asda stated: “I have been advised that the driver has been in a disciplinary and has now stepped down from the role. He will no longer be working as a delivery driver.” The email emphasized the importance of customer service and indicated that staff would be reminded of the need to be courteous and helpful.

In a subsequent development, Asda has reportedly paid Mr. Ayhan a four-figure settlement related to the incident. When asked for a comment, a spokesperson for the supermarket chain declined to provide further details.

Reflecting on the experience, Mr. Ayhan expressed his feelings of shock and embarrassment, stating, “He made me feel degraded, embarrassed and terrible about the whole thing.” He noted that the situation might have been perceived differently if he had been using a wheelchair at the time, despite having one for outings.

This incident highlights the importance of sensitivity and respect in customer service, particularly for individuals with disabilities. Asda’s response indicates a commitment to addressing such concerns and improving service standards.