Grocery shopping

@maddysmommy (16230)
United States
June 8, 2007 2:43pm CST
Have you ever ordered groceries online and had them delivered to your home? We tried it out for the first time today through Giant Foods (Peabody) only because our local Giant grocery store has now moved and the closest one is downtown Vienna (a $11-15 taxi ride each way - we don't own a car). Because we do bulk shopping fornightly we decided to give it a try. I was quite happy with the prompt service and the telephone call we received in the morning telling us what time the driver will arrive. The delivery charge was only $6.95 (which saves a lot for us in taxi fares coming home). Two items were missing i.e. bananas and a loaf of wholewheat bread and when I talked to the customer service, they immediately apologised and were going to credit our account. Its amazing what you can buy online nowadays without leaving your home. I don't think this is what we will be doing all the time, but its nice to know that the service is available if and when you need it.
15 people like this
32 responses
@wiccania (3360)
• United States
9 Jun 07
i've had groceries delivered a few times. it's a $10 fee at my store, but my first 3 were free, so that was nice. the service was good, but i learned that if i allow substitutions when the item isn't available i have to be very specific. for example, i once ordered a bottle of a neutrogena face cleanser that runs about $5 a bottle. i allowed substitution assuming that the substitution would be another similar face cleanser (like the store brand version of the same product). what i got was a neutrogena pore reducer, which cost about $12. there were a few other missteps like that. now i add notes and specify what i want the substitution to be or say not to substitute that item. otherwise it's a good service. if i didn't enjoy grocery shopping so much, i might just order my groceries online.
2 people like this
• Philippines
9 Jun 07
i agree with you that it is fine to do grocery shopping online if we don't take so much liking for this activity. there are also times when we will feel that time is so precious at times when we have so many things to do rush yet. when we feel low and kind of sick, this is the time when this set up is at its best time to make use of. yes, i have tried this many times years ago. but it was called by the term phone in orders yet.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
9 Jun 07
Oh i didn't think of whether they offered substitutes as I think all the items we ordered were available. If we continue to use this service that is something I would have to be careful of. We actually do enjoy going into the store to shop for our groceries and were dissapointed when we found out our grocery store had moved. Its either we cab it to the next one or take the bus and lug all the groceries back home, which is not really an option for us because we buy bulk every two weeks. I suppose we can little by little, but I find we end up spending more money that way. Thanks wiccania for your response :)
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
9 Jun 07
Hi maddy. After I gave birth to my eldest girl, my time was so limited to other activities. My girl swallowed up all my time and I decided to try online grocery shopping. We had one available locally before. Like what you mentioned, the service was superb and the staff was courteous. I didn't have any single problem with any of my purchases. Everything are delivered right up to my doorstep at the time estimation they gave me. Best of all, there was not a single one that was expired already. Since then, I was seriously hooked with this service. It was convenient and saves me a lot of time and effort. It was unfortunate that they had stopped operation after two years. Online grocery shopping is not very popular here and most of the people here prefer actual grocery shopping.
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
9 Jun 07
Hi Charms, I found the service great and may be using them more until we are able to get our own car or if they open up another store within walking distance. The fact that they deliver to our door for less than a taxi fair, I think is great. Thanks for your response :)
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
9 Jun 07
oops spelling mistake, should read taxi fare LOL
• United States
8 Jun 07
I have never ordered groceries online and probably never will unless I have to for some reason or other. I like being able to pick out what I want and if I want it then kind of thing. There is just something about being there to pick out your own groceries, not just by a picture. I can see why you ordered your groceries online though, it sure saved you some money and time.
2 people like this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
8 Jun 07
I know what you mean, actually my husband likes going through every aisle and making sure he doesn't miss a thing. I did notice there were a few items that were not on the list though. Thanks for responding penguinsangel.
1 person likes this
@stella1989 (2274)
• India
9 Jun 07
WOw! Thats so fantastic ..!! But I am not interested in it! Because it is ok when you use packed food!!Because then there will be no fear of cheating!! But we prefer open wheat flour,open cereals,vegetables,and rice so any one can mix up the things easily, like milk with water and many more ...every thing is in whole sale system and you can come and weigh things as much you want and take it home!! Nothing is packed!! Its is like open market not a store room!! There we get things at very less and reasonalble prices!!So savings are done here!! So I'll go with open market.
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
9 Jun 07
Oh I love those open markets especially the fresh fruits and vegetables. In New Zealand in our local town they would have Saturday open markets or "flee markets" and we would always get up early to rush down and buy our fruits, veges and fresh fish, and they were reasonably priced too. Oh I miss those days. Thanks for your response stella1989!
1 person likes this
• India
10 Jun 07
I love it too..! It also gives me some excersice to stay fit ..so I me healthy, fit and fine..! :) In my place this market sets up every sunday eavening...till 11 O'clock!! I am loving it!!
9 Jun 07
I use online grocery websites all the time and they are so easy to use, best of all you still get your reward points for using them, and by looking on the internet for shopping discount codes, you can often pick up a really good deal. The only thing that i get annoyed with si the ability to be able to shop at short notice because often the delivery times have all gone so you usually have to plan at least a few days in advance. Some stores are much much better than others in terms of the quality of goods, price and ordering efficency as well.
2 people like this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
10 Jun 07
Actually we were lucky to get a delivery time as well, ours was the second to last stop, which was around 1.30pm. I was just happy that we were able to do it all online and have it delivered to our door. Nice to know that you use online grocery shopping as well. Thanks for your response bananamanuk!
• Singapore
9 Jun 07
In fact, I understand from some friends here that they do it regularly via Amazon. I was quite surprised myself since I thought Amazon is more for books, etc. In Singapore, we have a few alternatives for online grocery shopping (countable with 1 hand) but they like to slap a ridiculous delivery charge or insist on a minimum purchase amount. So far, I have not shopped online for groceries before since I quite like to look at the actual thing myself - especially perishables - and I might want to read the labels too. We have groceries areas conveniently located everywhere - unlike some other countries where I understand the nearest mart might be hours away. Singapore's infrastructure is terrible. I can just walk out and grab some groceries and be back in 30 min lol. :P
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
10 Jun 07
Wow 30 minute shopping, thats quick in my book LOL Never heard of grocery shopping @ Amazon.com before LOL I wonder if its worth it in terms of costs and delivery charges? hmm, something to look into I suppose. Thanks Wizard for your response :P
• Singapore
10 Jun 07
From what I understood from them, Amazon usually waives delivery charge if your purchase exceeds a certain amount. Of course your location is important too. The best way for you is to check out their site and see their FAQs for yourselves. I am in no way recommending them though. :P
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Jun 07
thats cool that people can do that now, I bet its great for really bus people, especially doctors & nurses who have to pull 12 & 16 hour shifts. Personally I wouldn't do it just because I like to go grocery shopping, however 6 months ago I would have definately opted for it, as I hated trying to go grocery shopping with my 2 kids during the winter. But it sound like it works out great for you. :)
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
10 Jun 07
Yes it did and was happy with the whole process. I am glad we found something in the meantime as we do prefer to go into the grocery store and shop as well. Thanks for responding lilttownmommie!
1 person likes this
@babystar1 (4233)
• United States
9 Jun 07
we dont have that kind of service here where I live but I dont think I would try it. Our grocery stores are all close so we dont have to drive so far. And I like picking out my own grocerys. I am glad that you like ordering online.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
10 Jun 07
I know what you mean, I wished our grocery store had not moved so far away as we like shopping for groceries too. Thanks for your response babystar1!
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
4 Sep 07
I have been doing this for years. Before it became popular online, I would order food on the phone and have it delivered. When I did in home care nursing, I could not leave me patients to go shopping. I would Pink Dot. This is a store front that only does deliveries. They are online now also. I need to do a lot of shopping on the first of this month. I have been dehydrated, so I wanted to get a lot of water. Since I do not drive, it was easier to have the water delivered from Vons.com. They had a special going where your first order entitled you to free delivery. I was glad that they got the order right, with no substitutions, but was a little confused when I found two bottles of barbeque sauce and a bag of noodles that I didn't order. They did not charge me for it. I know from a while ago when I ordered something from Walgreens, that they sometimes send free samples, so I left it at that. Sorry to hear that your order was not filled properly. I know have frustrating that can be. They should have returned with the rest of your order.
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Actually I didn't mind that they missed out a few things as long as it got reimbursed. Grocery shopping does help though when you are not able to get to the store or if the store had moved. I was happy i was able to do that and have it delivered without worrying about catching cabs or buses with loads of shopping.
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
10 Jun 07
If it is goods which are exchangeable if damaged or faulty, I would not mind ordering online. However, if it is consumable goods (eg fresh produce, bread etc) I would think twice. Even if I know there is online service for such, I would not order cooked food online. I prefer to see the food with my eyes before I take it home.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
11 Jun 07
Fair enough, thanks for your response whyaskq.
@liyan97 (2127)
• Northern Mariana Islands
9 Jun 07
I haven't tried to buy groceries online, but I guess thats because I live on an island and it isn't available here. I would love to though, It would help me out alot....Sometimes I dread going to the store because I am a single mom & often times it is hard to handle three kids at the store...lol...I hope it becomes available here soon! The concept alone is really great!
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
10 Jun 07
I lived on an island a few years back and I know this option wasn't available there also. Might be a good business venture to get in to LOL thanks for responding liyan97!
@senthil2k (1500)
• India
9 Jun 07
Yes. I really agree with you. Seems that the time has come for us all to have a trustworthy online shopping experience. Even I have done many of my purchases online, and none of them are faulty as people used to say. Infact, one of the my seller contacted me and asked for the quality of the product delievered. He was more than willing to replace the product, if I find any. Prompt service, good quality and in some cases low cost too!
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
10 Jun 07
:0) thanks for your response senthil2k!
• United States
9 Jun 07
I haven't tried it but I've thought about it. I like the idea because I don't like carrying bags. It really is amazing all the things thatyou can buy online these days.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
10 Jun 07
It sure is and it was a nice alternative/experience. Thanks for responding angelfantasy23!
@Amstardam (1348)
• United States
9 Jun 07
I order from Safeway.com often. It beats hauling a 10 month old to the store for an hour and then carrying him in one hand, groceries in another up and down the stairs a few times until all the groceries are in the house. Oy! They always give us a 2 hour window in which they'll be here, but usually always arrive the first of the hour or before - with a phone call asking if it's okay to come early! Very nice people and they don't accept tips, it's great!
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
10 Jun 07
I heard they were great too when it comes to ordering and delivering as well. We may even try them out next time. Thanks for your response amstardam!
@patrice7 (1191)
• United States
9 Jun 07
wow!.i think that to order groceries would be a nice and convenient way to have your needs and your wants delivered to you. anyways i have never tried it and sometimes it really is very convenient and nice. but i would rather go outside and pick them in agrocery store because i am always here in the house and i want to catch some fresh air too.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
9 Jun 07
I was surprised that there was such a service and was happy with it. Thanks for responding patrice7 (btw Patrice is a lovely name).
@friendship (2084)
• Canada
9 Jun 07
No, I have never ordered online groceries. But I may try it later when I will need it. By the way, I am wondering.... how much are they charging for the items? Are they charging those items with a bit higher than those of conventional supermarkets.
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
9 Jun 07
I'm not quite sure on that as we have only shopped at Giant Foods and only once at Safeway. I know there are a few cheaper grocery stores like Magruders which we don't have access to. They do offer specials online and you can use coupons so I really can't say. Thanks for responding friendship :) btw, I like your profile pic its cute!
@bcl_me (582)
• Philippines
9 Jun 07
it is a brilliant idea...that means if you do not wish to out of the house...because malls and shopping centers are overcrowded...and you run out of supplies...this will is the way to go...i think this will really help a lot of to save money and time.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
9 Jun 07
I thought so too, ordering online and having groceries delivered right to your door. If it wasn't for our grocery store moving we would not have found this out. Even though we do like to go into a store itself, this option was very convenient for us at the time and stress free. Thanks for your response bcl_me!
@KissThis (3003)
• United States
9 Jun 07
I live in a rural area that is about twenty five minutes from town. They don't have any kind of service like that for our town. I still don't think that I would shop for my groceries on-line because I like to pick out the fruits and meats that I am purchasing. I am very picky about what each product looks like.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
9 Jun 07
Thanks for your response kiss this!
@golfproo (1839)
• Canada
9 Jun 07
I have never actually tried this, but I get so busy I have considered it. It is good to see other people's experience with it as it helps to get a few other viewpoints first. I think I just may give it a try. We have a place called grocery gateway here. cheers,
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
9 Jun 07
Your welcome golfproo :) It was my first experience and it worked out fine for us. Thanks for responding.
@nolipo (407)
• United States
9 Jun 07
I love the convenience of shopping online, although I never thought about ordering groceries. I think mostly cuz where I used to live didnt offer the service. I may have to look into it.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
9 Jun 07
Thanks for your response nolipo!