I had never used a delivery service for groceries prior to the Pandemic, so I had a bit of learning to do. After my first couple of orders, I realized I needed to select what I wanted for a replacement if an item was out of stock, otherwise, I might not get what I wanted. I learned to put no substitutions for many items; sometimes I would select a different size or brand.
Every delivery had an item or two that was wrong, but usually I just lived with it. Vegetables seem to be the hardest for many of the shoppers. I will order a pound of squash and only get a single squash. Or I will get organic produce, which I didn’t request. I am including in the notes that I want a pound of the vegetables and try to guess how many will be in a pound. One thing I figured out today that I hadn’t realized; you get charged for what you order. So for example, I prefer Perdue chicken breast which are more expensive; the shopper sent store brand which was a $3 difference. Other times if they pick up a more expensive package, I will benefit from that as I am charged for what I requested.
Today’s order had about 7 items wrong, which angered my husband. Instead of Mini Wheats, he got strawberry Mini Wheats; he hates strawberries! Coke was BOGO so I ordered Caffeine Free Diet Coke; we received regular Coke. A pound of fresh brussel sprouts became a 1/2 lb. of seasoned steamed in bag. I saw she only had a 1/2 lb of the brussels and squash as I was watching the order while she shopped, so I messaged her to please get a full pound of both; she never replied. The tuna I wanted were 12 oz cans, she got 5 oz. can.
On a good note, looks like Instacart is refunding my money. While I feel badly that all the wrong items are refunded, I guess it will make up for the other times I didn’t contact them. While not the chicken, fish or produce I would have purchased, I will use them; the cereal and Coke will be given to someone else.
I am so ready to get back to the grocery stores. I haven’t decided what I will do going forward, but do think I will try Costco first and see how that goes. Once I go back to the grocery store, I think I will go in the early morning since I am still on furlough.
I’ve never used Instacart because they mark up items over the grocery store prices.
If I were you, I’d definitely try another shopping service. I’ve had substitutions and definitely don’t get everything I’ve wanted but never as bad as what you are describing with your order.
On NextDoor, several neighbors offer to run errands and shop for other vulnerable people. You may wish to check if your area has similar kind neighbors. I’ve never used such a service but have heard mixed things from folks who have.
Our Costco is pretty good — they limit entrants so it’s really not crowded. They also have everyone wearing masks and limit the # of folks in the cold sections so it doesn’t get crowded, with socially distanced line controlled by a Costco worker. People were very polite and patient. I went once during SR hour and once around 11 or noon.
Except for Target, which has it’s own employees do the shopping for curbside pickup, and for online orders, I have done all my own grocery shopping. I am too cheap to pay extra, especially when that money could go to DD’s college fund (not that they don’t deserve a generous tip in these times). Also, groceries are getting expensive enough without the additional markups. And I like getting out of the house.
My main market uses instacart. I gave up even trying there anymore because either my order got cancelled or no spots available (still after two months.)
I used ShopRite once which use their own employees - and while it was okay, I got 3 red onions) I ordered one) and one red potato (I ordered six.) A few other things weren’t in my order at all, even though I checked allow substitutes. I was not told this when my order was being processed.
The best so far, imo, has been Walmart. They also use there own employees. They email me during the process of preparing my order and tell me what substitutes they are using. You can then decline the substitutes. I also love their pickup method. They know you’ve arrived and the spot you’re parked in from tracking through their app.
I use my village market (phone in order ready in 30 minutes or so) for meat/deli/cheese/fruit and most produce. If I ask if they have something I need they go and check while I’m on the phone. Of course their prices are higher, but I’m okay with that.
We had good luck with Instacart until our last order. This last one had all kinds of weird substitutions and incorrect products. They make it right in terms of price adjusting but still irritating. H went back into the store himself today . Much better.
We’ve done pick up at one of the grocery stores in my area with mixed results. They use their own employees to do the shopping, but don’t always get what’s on the order or make strange substitutions. We’ve been reluctant to actually shop at the store because senior hours are at 6am and we’re not sure how well they’re keeping limits on the number of shoppers at more reasonable times.
I wish they’d contact like Walmart does, @emilybee. Unfortunately, there’s not a Walmart in my vicinity.
I used Instacart a couple times, and I did not have problems, but I know that the workers are woefully underpaid, and the stores that I used it have seemed really expensive, so with a big enough tip, it really added up.
The SR near our regular home is unreachable for pickup slots. But now that I am at the Shore, I found I can get slots. My first order went well, except they forgot to put a couple bags in the car. I had to call customer service, ascertain taht they found them, and drive back. I think this was most likely a pre-Memorial Day aberration, and otherwise, it went well and I got what I ordered, or acceptable substitutions.
It can be a bit humorous doing pick up or delivery for grocery shopping. In my order from yesterday, I had placed a standard 3 oz size of garlic powder in my cart, which would last me quite a long time as I normally use fresh but garlic powder is better for some stuff. They were out of the normal size of the brand I ordered so instead of replacing with another brand, they gave me a 12.25 oz container. I’m set for a REALLY LONG time now.
Since the Covid-19 lockdown, I’ve been doing almost all my shopping with Walmart’s grocery pickup. Occasionally I’ve received an odd substitution or had to wait a while in the car until someone delivered the order to my car. Unfortunately, sometimes they’re completely out of items I really want or need, and then I don’t even get substitutions. I’ve been especially pleased with my last 3 orders. The same young woman (most likely a college or high school student) has pulled my order and delivered it to my car. She even recognized me today.
my s20 got a job today as an eCommerce online picker at our local grocery store (in the Kroger arena). I hope he can keep up with the particulars! He’s not a precise kid!
I agree the new hirers may be part of the problem. If they don’t normally buy groceries, they are not familiar that what they use as a substitute isn’t the same thing. I do believe the woman today either had no clue, or didn’t care.
Items with weight seem to be a problem; maybe Instacart could alter how those are entered. Actually, I order through the Publix site, so wonder how the items are loaded. Once I ordered one head of garlic which I guess was read as one pound. I had garlic longer than it was good!
All our stores use Instacart, other than Walmart for grocery delivery, even Costco and BJs. Overall, that my groceries show up at the house and I stay safe is worth it; today’s order was just bad. I have never changed my tip amount after a delivery,but did today. My husband said I shouldn’t have as she still provided a service. She still got a tip,just not the amount i originally intended.
I used Instacart a few times but I didn’t like the substitutions chosen. I did a couple of orders at the start of this pandemic but now I feel more comfortable going out on my own.
I have memberships to Sam’s Club and Costco. Sam’s has this great app where you can scan things on your phone while you shop and pay with one swipe. You can then skip the checkout lines altogether and go immediately to the exit door. The employee there scans a qr code on your phone and you are on your way. This has been the easiest and fastest way to shop, plus I’m able to get exactly what I want.
Never used Instacart—I actually enjoy food shopping. Since Covid I have been using home delivery from Whole Foods and a local grocery chain. I have had one problem. I got lo three jars of chopped peanuts when I asked for three cans of chopped tomatoes!
