Instacart

nybirdman · Apr 14, 2020

Seeing the way things are now we just tried Instacart (for groceries).Wife does the shopping normally but concerned about going into the stores.A little delivery fee+tip(we are 7 miles from store).More than happy with the service.Stay home and be safe!

Sigarms · Apr 15, 2020

We don't have delivery as an option, but they will do curbside delivery. My wife actually got it for her parents an hour south of us back in December for a Christmas present before all this crap started since her mom has COPD and is getting up in age.

What they didn't tell us is that so many people started doing it that they only have so many spots to fill when you sign on and place your order. My wife now has to place the order for her parents as you have log in right af right midnight "to get in line to place your order (earliest you can reserve a "spot" for pick up), and the closest opening spot is generally 5 days out.

Diggin It · Apr 15, 2020

Why not just go inside and select your stuff?

Sigarms · Apr 15, 2020

Diggin It said:
Why not just go inside and select your stuff?

Order everything online, drive to the store and have it loaded in your car. In and out within 5-10 minutes. Lot easier, particularly if you're having a bad day and have to take oxygen around with you. My FIL would of normally done it last year, but he spent some time in the hospital last year due to some issues with his heart and respiratory abilities, and he wasn't in shape to do it. For senior citiizens who are getting up in age but can still drive, it is a very nice option. That said, when all this stuff started hitting the US in the first quarter of 2020, more and more people started doing it and it's really creating a back log for pick ups.

Diggin It · Apr 15, 2020

^ There is no way I could ever do that, not in groceries. I rarely buy the same size or brand of anything twice. I always prefer to pick and choose, compare. I browse for sales and clearance, markdowns, scratch and dent, etc. I've looked at a few store websites. They list maybe 15% or so of what I know is on the shelves. Items that I know for a fact I can walk in and pick up are not even listed as options in any form on websites.

Sigarms · Apr 15, 2020

Diggin It said:
^ There is no way I could ever do that, not in groceries. I rarely buy the same size or brand of anything twice. I always prefer to pick and choose, compare. I browse for sales and clearance, markdowns, scratch and dent, etc. I've looked at a few store websites. They list maybe 15% or so of what I know is on the shelves. Items that I know for a fact I can walk in and pick up are not even listed as options in any form on websites.

No clue, I don't deal with it. Do know that selection has never been an issue when ordering online per my wife. Personally though, when going for food myself, I've never looked for scratch and dents.

nybirdman · Apr 15, 2020

Diggin It said:
^ There is no way I could ever do that, not in groceries. I rarely buy the same size or brand of anything twice. I always prefer to pick and choose, compare. I browse for sales and clearance, markdowns, scratch and dent, etc. I've looked at a few store websites. They list maybe 15% or so of what I know is on the shelves. Items that I know for a fact I can walk in and pick up are not even listed as options in any form on websites.

The whole idea is to stay out of the store and not expose your self to the current Covid 19 out break.Just yesterday a local manager of quick stop grocery store was diagnosed with Covid 19.Shop at your own risk.

kcflhrc · Apr 15, 2020

My wife would have lost her mind by now if she couldn't at least go to the store and buy groceries. You can do it safely, no need to be all paranoid about it. Wear your mask and all will be good.

California · Apr 15, 2020

Instacart works fine here, NorCal near a sizeable city. (So they have lots of potential drivers to recruit).

Their next available delivery time is listed on the order page, likely tomorrow afternoon or evening. An optional tip for the driver is proposed on the invoice. We've been raising it in appreciation for these brave (or more likely, desperate) drivers.

Unlike Shipt used by another store, the Instacart drivers phone while in the store asking about an acceptable substitute they found, if something you listed is unavailable. In our experience they run exactly on schedule, phoning to discuss substitutes 20~30 minutes before scheduled arrival then arriving timely.

Recommended.