My Adventure of Online Grocery Shopping!
Well....I did it!
I placed my very first online grocery order for delivery. I know....Look at me stepping into the future...🍍🍞🍕
Here I sat on Sunday afternoon, in my comfy chair, looking at the Walmart grocery website. I was so happy that I had finally figured out how to add items into my cart.
No parking lot...No buggy with bad wheels...No using 14 wipes to make sure that the buggy didn't have germs on it.
It was almost too easy and the kicker?? My groceries were delivered in TWO hours. I was very impressed and I even felt like I was a part of the shopping team.
But then.....
Reality pulled up right along with those grocery bags.
First little surprise.....12 items were out of stock. TWELVE? Apparently half of what I eat was missing from the shelves that day. I did get polite little messages asking if I wanted substitutions. I said No.
Then came lesson #1: Pictures do not always match what you get. What I thought was a big, family sized bag of frozen vegetables turned out to be what I'd call a "personal snack pack." Two servings!!
Lesson #2: Never...and I mean never, buy fresh produce online.
My bag of four oranges? Two went straight to the trash. Not "I'll cut around it" bad, No...they were just bad. I am a firm believer in inspecting my fruit like I would if I were judging it for the county fair. My shopping person failed me on this!
These lessons gave me some questions to ponder.
You start to wonder, do folks pulling your order even look at what they're placing in your bags? Are they shopping with one eye closed? Do they do a little juggling with the products they are filling your order with?
Seriously, one of my canned goods was bent way more than what you would call slightly damaged. It was full force DAMAGED. Would I have chosen this myself...No, I would have said it needs to go in the trash.
Another detail that I learned. You are charged for what you order immediately. The items that are not in stock? It can take up to 10 days to see that credit back in your account. Not the end of the world, but worth knowing for sure.
Now don't get me wrong.. The convenience was definitely there. Groceries on my porch in two hours while I'm still in my pajamas...this I did like.
All of this came with a few lessons, a couple of bruised oranges and a bent can that looked like it was trying to curtsy a queen. These things are just humble reminders that sometimes doing it yourself still has its perks.
Will I do it again? 🤔
Modern convenience is wonderful ... until it isn't.
Shug.... 🛒
I never shop in my pajamas. There is not enough room for all the groceries and they slip down the trouser legs!.
ReplyDeleteAs for online shopping. I agree with you 100%. It is convenient - yes. But I hate substitutions - bacon is not a substitute for ham. Some of the people doing the shopping for you do not know how to substitute. Two packets of 25 grams each are no substitute for one packet of 100 grams. Especially when the two packs cost way more than the 100 gram one.
Also I agree about not buying fresh food like lettuces, fruits and vegetables. And I jate receiving bent tins.
God bless.
Oh Victor...you best not shop in your Pj's.. I'll have to really think this out before I do online grocery shopping again. We shall see.
DeleteOh Shug. I don't think I'd order online again, unless I was really sick. Loved your expression of the can doing a curtsy to the queen. That made me burst out laughing. Well, at least you got some of the items. You are very humorous. Thanks for all your visits to Writing Straight from the Heart. I just love when you visit. Have a super day today. Hugs. Susan
ReplyDeleteI find the service depends on the supplier - some are less reliable than others. There's lots of competition in UK, where I live, at least, so every supplier needs to prove itself.
ReplyDeleteWe did shop online during Covid, Shug, but we absolutely hated it then because of some of the same issues you described here. It's best to go in person so you can decide what you will and won't buy. The seemingly convenient way doesn't always end up being convenient. Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteI do an online grocery order most weeks and I have for years! I wouldn't manage without it as the nearest supermarket is a bus ride away and to get a weekly food shop would mean getting a taxi home.
ReplyDeleteI have got used to things being out of stock and some of the substitutions I have got over the years have been funny, like steak pies instead of chocolate pudding and I remember ordering a tub of ice cream thinking it would last weeks but it was one portion worth. lol
I inspect my fruit and veg while the delivery driver is still here and if it's slightly bad I complain and will get a refund. I have found I only buy what I need when I online shop, if I was in the store I would be buying all the sweet treats and things I hadn't budgeted for.
This is funny Kim... There is a big difference in the what you ordered compared to what you got. Maybe the person pulling your order that day had had a little too much of something that day or the night before... made me laugh
DeleteCongrats!! I have been struggling with this myself! On our grocery store's website, I cannot even find the delivery option! Guess I will have to ask my daughter-in-law or friend. Seems everyone else is doing it. Your suggestions are so good. I would never have fresh veg or raw meat delivered to me. These are things we need to choose ourselves. One thing I have been noticing in the different stores. I watch the delivery shoppers with their two layered carts and notice which stores have shoppers who are really careful finning the orders. There is also a different delivery charge depending on the store.
ReplyDeleteI am a hands on person which means I really should shop for myself. I once knew someone who got very sick and the issue was that the can of spinach she had fixed was a bent can and there was a tiny pin hole coming from the bent area.. This is why I do not like cans that are damaged.
DeleteI've been doing online shopping for some time. We have Meijer near us and if you have over 15 items, they will shop for free. I order online and they get it, but I pick it up. I've had no issues, even with produce! However, I hear you on sizes. I've gotten huge cans of things when I thought I was getting regular size.
ReplyDeleteI think the outcome all depends on which store you use.
My mother-in-law (bless her heart) would have had a fit... When she sent us to the grocery store for her...she had the brand listed, the size, the price of what it cost and so on!! She knew her groceries. If something was out of stock and we substituted it for something else...OH MY...we might find ourselves making another trip back to do a return. lol
DeleteShug, first off...I LOVE your new header and look for today!! Also...grocery pick up and delivery...I was so reluctant to ever do pick up...until Covid. My DIL had done it for quite some time (lots of babies in the car) and she convinced me to do it. I felt so guilty making someone else do for me what I could do for myself. Until I tried it and then I was hooked. Eventually I tried delivery a few times and here was my experience: random drivers kind of freaked me out. There were a few shady looking characters. But this one time it was a man, probably in his late 60's. He left me all kinds of groceries that weren't mine (plus those that were mine). By the time I unbagged it all and realized that much of it I never ordered, he was long gone. I had to call the 1-800 number and they told me to keep it all. What? What did that mean for the next family that would see the man pull up in their driveway and not have their groceries? I actually felt bad for the delivery man! Either his wife put him up to this or he needed the extra money and there he had gone and delivered the groceries to the wrong house. After a few times, I decided to just do the picking up myself. And yes! The size can fool you! I've ordered huge bags of stuff, when I only needed the 2 portion! :) hahaha modern conveniences :)
ReplyDeleteSo right Debbie...modern conveniences work for some and for people like me who might be just a little too engaged, I just need to do it myself.
DeleteYour experience confirms the impression I pretty much already had. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteI am in town way too often so I think it might be best if I stick with my own shopping..lol..
DeleteI hear you on this !!! I have watched the people that get the products for delivery in our Walmart. Some truly get it and shop like they are shopping for themselves but so many are young and male..sorry... and they just don't get it. They probably haven't ever shopped for themselves and think oh well that will be ok.
ReplyDeleteI never buy produce from them either. It seems they just grab the first thing in the bin.
Didn't know about still being charged when things aren't available. That one is scary to me.I only want to pay for what I get.
Love the picture of the cart..why are so many that way???
By the way I love your new border and background. Its so YOU.
Love you friend and this is a great post today.
Sue
I laugh because when I do shop (myself) I have seen some of those particular people filling orders. And yes...the buggies, for real...some of them are ridiculous, but at least we do have something to gather our needs in. I'm sure there are many areas even in our country where the buggies are in much worse condition. Thanks for the compliment on my border. I am a person of change and I am always trying to invent new headers. Love you too Sue..
DeleteI use online shopping at times. Especially on the way home from a trip. No produce is always a good rule. Once instead of a dozen bananas' I accidentally bought 6 dozen. But in certain situations it gets the job done. By the time we get home from the airport our groceries have been delivered.
ReplyDeleteI know I will try it again..this was too easy... Maybe next time I'll not do the two hour delivery..
DeleteWell, I have to kind of disagree - I order from Walmart every week and have for a couple of years. I have had good luck. But I don't do the two-hour delivery - maybe that is the problem they are too hurried to look. At most they are out of one thing and they usually ship it. Maybe I am at a good Walmart. Try again?
ReplyDeleteI am sure that the two hour delivery had a lot to do with it. My daughter orders all the time and over her course of ordering, she has noted the things that she can order and things she should pick up herself. I'm sure I'll try it again but I just need to read a bit closer about the products I am ordering. lol
DeleteI've never ordered groceries online, and (for all the reasons you mentioned) I don't think I ever will.
ReplyDeleteWe live a bit too far out to have groceries delivered, but I have done order pick ups from both Target and BJ's, with really good luck. Target had something non perishable out of stock, and shipped it to me instead, which I thought was nice. I actually loved doing my grocery shopping during Covid, no one else was in the stores! :)
ReplyDeleteI've only done online ordering and delivery once. It was only because I needed a prescription and the weather was really bad. I also ordered produce and they must have picked the worst they could find. I'll never do it again. I would much rather pick out my own groceries.
ReplyDeleteExcept when Publix begins its "siren song" the WM online app is my usual go-to. Except, I've heard so many stories of deliveries gone to the wrong address I just drive the 2 miles over there and they bring my stuff out to the car. (No tipping, no nuttin'!) I was veeeery hesitant to order fresh produce and dairy -- even suspicious of expiration dates -- but I've not had a single problem. Did you answer the little customer satisfaction thingie at the end? Let's see. In 2+ years, I've only reported a broken egg and an upside-down cake -- and in both cases, my $ was immediately refunded.
ReplyDeleteI have had really good luck with online shopping at Walmart. Usually I get a survey or they ask how things went...:) One time they totally missed an item and I was credited immediately.
ReplyDeleteI have only had food delivered from Whole Foods and I have to say that It is always a good experience. They ask when I order if I want substitutions (and I say no) and the produce has always been good. Once I wasn't happy and they immediately refunded for that produce item and told me to discard it. Most of the packaged products are things I use so I know what to expect. Sorry you had a bad experience. You should let Walmart know- they may compensate you . It is a wonderful convenience but only if your order is good.
ReplyDeleteIt’s not perfect, but it’s still nice to have in an emergency. We’ve only ordered for the next day and that wasn’t too bad.
ReplyDeleteI've never done online grocery shopping for delivery or for pick up. My neighbor (in her early 30s) does it all the time. The main reason I don't is because I've seen those people in store while they are doing their collecting of items for orders...see them talking to people they know while pulling things off the shelves and being put out if a customer stops them to ask a question. It could easily lead to things like the severely damaged can that you got...and I'm not comfortable with someone else choosing my produce. But I know I'm probably the oddity when it comes to all of this. I'm happy for those who choose to do online grocery shopping because I know that many women work and this convivence really saves them time. I'm retired and have the time, so I prefer to do my own.
ReplyDeleteWe've never used Walmart, I've only done delivery from the local grocery store. I have to say, I've been pretty impressed. We used it a lot in 2020, not much since, but it's nice to know it's there in a pinch...but you definitely shared some great tips.
ReplyDeleteI have a neighbor who orders from Walmart and seems to be very happy with it, but I like to see what I'm getting--especially produce. Even canned goods, I like to check the expiration dates and make sure they aren't dented. Maybe I'm too much of a stickler, but since we have two large grocery stores just minutes away (Giant and Harris Teeter), I prefer to do my own shopping for as long as I am able.
ReplyDelete