topic Re: The Mark Up in Community Chat

The Mark Up

Mindy D — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 21:11:43 GMT

Instacart at Publix marks items up. Here is one example. It's turkey time and pumpkin pie time so the I marks up McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice. You can see that below the pumpkin spice is the McCormick Apple Pie Spice at a much lower price. The only difference in the spices's ingredients is the addition of ginger in the pumpkin. I really want our family protected and use grocery delivery but it is getting so expensive. This is not Publix's in-store price for the pumpkin.EDITED TO ADD ✅that retail partners set the prices on the Instacart platform so it would be Publix that set this price for Instacart. Not every retail partner raises prices on the Instacart their partner. See Jewel22's post in this thread.

Re: The Mark Up

tansy — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 18:51:44 GMT

InstaCart is upfront about the pricing and, yes, it is expensive. Does Publix offer pick-up?

Re: The Mark Up

Mindy D — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 18:52:32 GMT

@tansy wrote:
InstaCart is upfront about the pricing and, yes, it is expensive. Does Publix offer pick-up?

@tansy @Their pick up is through Instacart with the same prices as delivery.

Re: The Mark Up

CelticCrafter — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 18:56:15 GMT

When it comes to herbs and spices my daughter says to check the International aisle first because they are usually a lot, a lot less money than the name brands.

Re: The Mark Up

millieshops — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 19:04:02 GMT

One way or another, someone has to pay for a service that isn't underlying a whole commercial, cultural, or governmental operation. We either pay it ourselves when we use a service like Instacart or every customer pays it with overall costs to the company.

Some years ago when Peapod first came to a local market here, even then reading more than the banner leadlines made it obvious the cost came with no promise the prices would be the same as in-store prices - nohing at all to do with the current pandemic. Then and now, those I know who have reason to use the service have not complained about its cost - although for those I know using it, delivery service means the difference between staying in their own homes or having to head to a facility. No conest!

Re: The Mark Up

kittykatkay — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 19:14:34 GMT

WHOA.....HIGHWAY ROBBERY!!!! I just saw the price of the Delight creamer. WHATTTTT????? I just purchased this same creamer for 2 for $5.00 at Food Lion last week but, I didn't use instacart....I walked in and got it myself. No way would I pay that price.

Re: The Mark Up

Janey2 — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 19:19:53 GMT

Do you have amazon prime? I use instacart also, and I am aware of the mark up. What I do to save is see if I can buy some products at other places. I hate amazon ( but they got me) and I buy some products through amazon. Most of the time they are cheaper.

Re: The Mark Up

Mindy D — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 19:22:49 GMT

@Janey2 wrote:
Do you have amazon prime? I use instacart also, and I am aware of the mark up. What I do to save is see if I can buy some products at other places. I hate amazon ( but they got me) and I buy some products through amazon. Most of the time they are cheaper.

@Janey2 @Yes, I have Prime. So far, I have not ordered much from Fresh or Whole Foods but I'm going to do so. I feel ripped off by the I. Basically, those that need to stay safe the most by staying home are getting charged the most. It's a choice between exposures or paying $$$.

Re: The Mark Up

Mindy D — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 19:26:13 GMT

@millieshops wrote:
One way or another, someone has to pay for a service that isn't underlying a whole commercial, cultural, or governmental operation. We either pay it ourselves when we use a service like Instacart or every customer pays it with overall costs to the company.

Some years ago when Peapod first came to a local market here, even then reading more than the banner leadlines made it obvious the cost came with no promise the prices would be the same as in-store prices - nohing at all to do with the current pandemic. Then and now, those I know who have reason to use the service have not complained about its cost - although for those I know using it, delivery service means the difference between staying in their own homes or having to head to a facility. No conest!

@millieshops @I think that many are unaware of just how much more they are paying per item. I've been using Instacart regularly, but this is the first time that I could clearly see just how much more the prices can be jacked up.

Re: The Mark Up

Janey2 — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 19:27:16 GMT

@Mindy D I am not talking about Fresh or Whole Foods ( they tend to be high also), I mean straight prime from amazon. If you look at the McCormick product at amazon it is half the price. You just have to think in advance because it takes about 2 days to get to you.

Re: The Mark Up

Foxxee — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 19:48:53 GMT

Yes, it's pretty obvious.

Checked Walmart's home delivery. Pumpkin spice is $2.98. Edwards Pies $5.97.

Re: The Mark Up

ValuSkr — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 19:52:46 GMT

I don't blame them for marking up the in-store price - after all, they're doing it for profit, not charity. But I think it's usually less expensive when the store has its own pick-up and delivery service. For example, ShopRite From Home uses in-store prices but charges either a flat fee or a percentage of the order (varies by store).

Re: The Mark Up

Kachina624 — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 19:55:27 GMT

@Mindy D. I paid $5.97 for that Edwards Key Line Pie at Walmart last week. Why don't you use their free pick up service?

Re: The Mark Up

Mindy D — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 20:08:58 GMT

@ValuSkr wrote:
I don't blame them for marking up the in-store price - after all, they're doing it for profit, not charity. But I think it's usually less expensive when the store has its own pick-up and delivery service. For example, ShopRite From Home uses in-store prices but charges either a flat fee or a percentage of the order (varies by store).

@ValuSkr @They were not marking up the In store price. They, Instacart, was marking up the price for delivered items. I have never tried Shop Rite but I will look into them. Thank you.

Re: The Mark Up

Mindy D — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 20:13:02 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Mindy D. I paid $5.97 for that Edwards Key Line Pie at Walmart last week. Why don't you use their free pick up service?

@Kachina624 @Thanks. I didn't know Walmart's pick up was free. It is hard for my husband to do things because he is in great pain. Pick up, when he can, would be a help.

Re: The Mark Up

Janey2 — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 20:20:22 GMT

Instacart does not do the mark up. Some stores charge instacart for allowing them in the store.

Re: The Mark Up

DiAnne — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 20:25:41 GMT

I am personally very thankful for Instacart. I am very particular about the quality of produce, fish, meat, etc. I use a high end local market (the same one I used when I could shop in person). The shoppers, delivery drivers and company need to make money for providing the service. I look forward to my delivery every Friday.

Re: The Mark Up

Mindy D — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 20:29:39 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Mindy D. I paid $5.97 for that Edwards Key Line Pie at Walmart last week. Why don't you use their free pick up service?

@Kachina624 @You are a lifesaver. I read the company policy and they charge the same for piclk up as for in store. I was looking at prices and I am so very happy. This will help so much. Cheaper and no need to go inside.

Re: The Mark Up

Mindy D — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 20:31:11 GMT

@Janey2 wrote:
Instacart does not do the mark up. Some stores charge instacart for allowing them in the store.

@Janey2 @Instacart policy is listed. They do charge more for some items than in store. Some stores might charge Instacart but that is a different issue.

Re: The Mark Up

Lipstickdiva — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 20:38:14 GMT

Meijers is very close to me. They do offer delivery but I know nothing about it as I've never used delivery for any grocery store.

However, I went to their website and searched Pumpkin Pie Spice. The McCormick brand is $4.59 for 1.12oz. Meijer brand is $2.79 for .75 oz and to @CelticCrafter 's point, Badia is $1.89 for 2oz.

As an aside, the McCormick Apple Pie Spice is the exact same price. So I guess Meijer is pretty expensive. LOL