topic Re: Ordering groceries... in Among Friends

Ordering groceries...

qualitygal — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 12:01:32 GMT

Next week, think we'll start ordering groceries again.

May do it through the winter and until, things get a bit better re: virus. At least I hope so.

Some things are so high or low on the shelves, they have become difficult for us to get to. I'll let people who still have more working, or better working parts get and reach those for us. In good weather we can try and see again.

Re: Ordering groceries...

CalminHeart — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 12:09:14 GMT

I order my groceries online too. Due to budget changes during covid, I get my center store goods and dairy from Walmart. They deliver to me for free.

I get my produce and meat from my favorite grocery store. I order online, they shop it, and I pick them up at drive up. They offer delivery for a fee so I don't use that very often.

Re: Ordering groceries...

StylishLady — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 12:44:25 GMT

DH has been doing ours on line and using curbside pick up at Publix since they required mask wearing. He says it is fine and he doesn't even have to walk all around the store.

Re: Ordering groceries...

amyb — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 13:07:38 GMT

I have been ordering delivery from Big Y (CT) through Instacart since March. Use this for most of my big orders. I do miss shopping for myself, but glad to have this service.

In July, when numbers were low here...I started to shop Fresh Market, much smaller than Big Y, more specialty... by going right when they open, using my own bags to collect items. Hardly anyone if anyone there at that time, in and out...still doing this maybe every other week. Certain things I get only here. Of course I run in "for only a few staples" and always $80-100 later....

Not sure our local Walmart has groceries, (sounds funny to say I don't know, but I was never in there much before, never paid attention to food...they only have chips and things at ours.) But Walmart in the next town over does...you've got me thinking about ordering and pickup there. Gotta start saving money where I could be, and I've realized lately on FB, someone posted, they carry many items didin't realize they had, for much less.

In the summertime it was great, we had one local outside market we shopped at weekly for all fresh produce, and some other pantry jarred and baked items too. Was great, fresh and very reasonable. And we liked supporting the little guy farmer's market.

Now that that's over I am lucky to live by another more commecial farm market staple in our town...went in last week for about what I'd buy at the outdoor farm market...much more expensive.

So, like everyone...still figuring it out, adjusting as I go...but yes...mostly still doing delivery where I can, being "safe" the rest of the time...and only essential stores for now.

Re: Ordering groceries...

songbird — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 13:19:31 GMT

Started with Instacart at the beginning of the pandemic and continued with it. Haven't been to a supermarket in months. Instacart gave me Wegmans, a hutge supermarket I love, but kind far to travel. So I order every week from them. I'm quite happy with Instacart.

Re: Ordering groceries...

Miss Pepsi — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 13:24:48 GMT

in the past year I have been inside a store exactly 3 times. I do curbside pickup and do not expect that to change. I rarely if ever have a problem.

Re: Ordering groceries...

happycat — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 13:30:20 GMT

I think its a good idea. I have done a hand full of run ins at wal mart since this started and the longer it goes the more lax folks are getting in my area.

Re: Ordering groceries...

Mary Bailey — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 13:42:51 GMT

The last 3 weeks I've masked up and went shopping in non-peek hours .With the upsurge of the virus we will go back to ordering.

I did pick up with Aldi's a month ago, rather than delivery. I was much happier with the produce on pick up. It's an Aldi's employee that shops instead of Instacart. When it's bad weather I'll go back to delivery.

Re: Ordering groceries...

Somertime — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 13:56:40 GMT

I've started using Instacart and have been more than pleased. I do not use it for meats or fish or fresh vegetables because I prefer to select my own.It's been an absolute pleasure especially ordering the water and soda and laundry detergent which are the heavy items. Delivery right to my front door! So much easier for me. The tip is well worth it and save me time and the trouble of so many trips from the trunk to inside the house. At 74, I am thrilled to make my life easier and safer. When they pull into my driveway, they leave everything at the front door and when they leave, I bring everything in..........no contact. Pure pleasure!

Re: Ordering groceries...

NicksmomESQ — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 14:14:34 GMT

I like doing my own shopping. In the Spring we used Instacart & a direct delivery service. Wasn't thrilled with the quality of produce or the substitutions. But if the virus gets bad in my area of New York I will have no choice.

Re: Ordering groceries...

Thats Me — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 14:31:01 GMT

I order from Whole Foods through Amazon Prime and it works really well. I would recommend it. Free delivery over $35 which is a lot less than some other delivery charges. Some items cost more than at the regular stores, other items cost less so I think it evens out, though their dairy tends to be more pricey. I like their organic produce but I get some regular produce there too. It was hard getting a delivery window in the beginning of the pandemic but that has eased. It might get hard again, time will tell. I had groceries delivered yesterday. Bulk paper products I get from Amazon or Costco, but I'm sure that will get difficult in weeks to come. Fortunately I think I'll have enough of all that for the foreseeable future.

I had to go to my local Safeway yesterday for kitchen twine and noticed bare paper shelves for the first time in months.

Re: Ordering groceries...

Shanus — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 14:36:35 GMT

We have several stores that have set aside one morning with special hours for seniors. The number of shoppers allowed in a time is kept way down. That's when we go for groceries. I say "both", since DH and I meet there, divide the list and get out of there as quickly as possible. We do go weekly before we have a long list which would take more time in the store.

Re: Ordering groceries...

Shanus — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 14:48:00 GMT

@qualitygal wrote:
Next week, think we'll start ordering groceries again.

May do it through the winter and until, things get a bit better re: virus. At least I hope so.

Some things are so high or low on the shelves, they have become difficult for us to get to. I'll let people who still have more working, or better working parts get and reach those for us. In good weather we can try and see again.

@qualitygal It's been an issue ordering groceries here in a small town. Sam's (in the next town) has senior day. They choose your groceries after turning in your list while in line, we wait in another line for them to bring out the order. Besides most of the items being not available in the brands we use or not at all after being in line a long time, most of the packaging is too large for just the two of us. Perishable items get wasted.

Re: Ordering groceries...

Roscoe the Rascal — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 14:58:31 GMT

We do our own shopping but go during hours with less shoppers. My husband does most of the shopping because I am usually working during those hours.

We do not spend a lot of time grocery shopping lately and well supplied. We were anticipating numbers going up so planned ahead. When meat was on sale or is we pick up and so have extras on hand. Yesterday went to Fareway and got a tube of hamburger and cut up and froze for different things to make later. Ran in and out.

We have ordered items from QVC as well. Free shipping, sale prices and auto delivery.

My daughter orders on line and drives up. She has kids and also help teaching them on line. Not a lot of free time. She loves it but I like to shop and pick out my own things.

Re: Ordering groceries...

Shanus — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 15:02:58 GMT

@CalminHeart wrote:
I order my groceries online too. Due to budget changes during covid, I get my center store goods and dairy from Walmart. They deliver to me for free.

I get my produce and meat from my favorite grocery store. I order online, they shop it, and I pick them up at drive up. They offer delivery for a fee so I don't use that very often.

@CalminHeart I wish our Walmart was closer by (& in a better neighborhood). I don't go there alone. I loved going to the one where my folks lived...good prices, selections. I do drive out of town to a new Target near the big mall...somewhat similar...for canned goods, veggies and fruits. They don't carry my fat free 1/2 and 1/2 and other items, so that's on another list for another store. Luckily, we've been trying to eat less canned/processed/frozen foods which does make grocery shopping a bit easier.

So far, there have been no issues, but I'm noticing, in the last few weeks, shortages in TP, flour...same things were difficult to find in April and May.

Re: Ordering groceries...

Lali1 — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 15:06:00 GMT

I first did delivery but now do pickup and I'll probably do that forever. I love it. Yes sometimes I don't get things but other times I get something for much cheaper because they were out of the smaller pack. Last week I got 24 k cups for the same price as a 12 pack. And the conveninece is so nice. Walmart does a wonderful job. Kroger not so much. I showed up at Kroger on time and they told me my order would not be ready for another hour or two.

Re: Ordering groceries...

Shanus — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 15:18:20 GMT

Our Wegman's (for those familiar) has been under construction and will open in several months. It's truly an experience in food shopping like none other. When my kids lived in NoVA, we'd always go there. I thought it was more expensive, so priced it out with the same list at my usual store. If you stay away from the gourmet brands and pre-prepared food aisles (seems like miles long), there's littlr difference.

We did have Passover dinner prepared by Wegman's up there one year. They had everything prepared in foil containers ready to keep warm in oven and pick up any time requested. More expensive that way, but DD and DIL were working and I couldn't get there soon enough to help cook. In a pinch, it's a godsend.

Re: Ordering groceries...

Sunshine Kate — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 15:23:25 GMT

It seems like so many people are using store services for picking up groceries or having delivered. (Nothing wrong with that).

I do my own grocery shopping and the stores are so crowded most always. I would hate to see how many people would be in a grocery store if shopping services were not available.

Re: Ordering groceries...

Sooner — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 15:29:59 GMT

We have only gotten pickup grocery orders since March and have been fine with Whole Foods and Walmart for a few things.

We tried Instantcart and did not care for the drivers that were sent. So we do pickup only and will continue maybe forever.

Re: Ordering groceries...

tarsmom — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 16:09:02 GMT

For people who don't want to or can't get out easily, it sounds convenient.

Question: don't you have to tip? If I am in the house and don't want to 'fix up' to go out, I don't even want to answer the door.

Also, I am picky about dates on items. I always look for milk or produce that is extra fresh. I remember when I had a baby I sent my DH to the store for items. The bananas he brought back were LONG and all would ripen at once (he bought 6!) Then I realized I don't want anyone selecting my stuff for me unless I'm physically unable to go out.

Please elaborate about your experiences.