My store told me they prefer it. Less virus exposure for workers and workers keep their jobs.
Arguing curbside pickup is a selfish choice doesn’t seem valid to me.
But we’re a country arguing about masks, so what do I know?
eta
At my store, I can see them packing bags though the front windows. Masks, gloved, way more than six feet distance. So little risk to workers as possible.
I often get emails from Kroger early in the day regarding my pick-up orders even though pick-up time is in the afternoon. I guess they are trying to build orders before the store gets crowded later and makes for better conditions for all. Kroger prices have always been a little higher on some things, but I’m wiling to pay the small increase on some of the in demand items for the convenience. My Kroger still has a senior discount on Tuesdays and I get a really good batch of best customer digital coupons about every 2 months and a Kroger mailer with good coupons on things I buy (like Charmin) every few months as well. The pick-up people ask if you have paper coupons when you call to tell them you are there and they come out to get those coupons before bringing your order so you get the accurate receipt with your groceries.
Oh, one more thing about why I like pick-up - my state has become an open carry state and no longer requires any kind of training or permit since they moved away from concealed carry. Our current state of division means you never know what emboldened gun owners are cruising the aisles and pick-up diminishes my risk of being in a bad situation with an unhinged person.
Big packages of toilet paper have been close to $20 since before Covid. I was paying 17.99 for the big Charmin mega rolls at Target. If you got lucky, there was a $5 gift card for buying multiples.
“I’m still surprised how many of you are avoiding the markets. Are you limiting other places, as well?” - Yes, absolutely.
Once in a while we will go to a quick non-grocery store visit if necessary, but usually only I go in (I’m 7 years younger than husband and fewer risk factors). We do sometimes eat out, but only if there is outdoor seating.
We’ve been having the Walmart groceries delivered to the house. It saves the hassle of curbside pickup, and we find it convenient. (We are retired and during covid almost always at home - most time slots work for us) We usually collaborate on the order, then submit it for delivery the next day. If we think of more items later, it is easy to add to the order.
“Are you limiting other places as well”?
Seven months
No travel
Only curbside pickup or home delivery
No hair cuts or personal services
No restaurants
No take out
No socially distanced get togethers
Since we live in the country, no nature excursions elsewhere
I don’t like to come off as holier than thou. Lots and lots of us are living this way and in it for the long haul. And I sincerely believe it helps protect front line workers who don’t have my luxury to choose staying home.
I’m posting this just so you know we exist, if it seems unlikely to you.
I’m not scared… for myself. Increasing scared about the next 12 months for everyone, everywhere.
Put me in that group that is limiting other places. DH and I are both 67 . DH has high blood pressure and asthma. DD23 does not live at home, but has multiple health issues, asthma, kidney disease and high blood pressure to name a few.
As for delivery and pick up driving up the costs of items, I don’t agree. Consumer demand and cost of manufacturing said products drives up prices. And, of course, there are individual instances of price gouging.
I got to Sam’s Club once a month and do pick up from my local Ralph’s store to fill in fresh fruit and veggies. I tip. I also notice that unlike 6 months ago, there are always numerous time slots available. Usually same day.
During these trying times I believe most (not all…lol) people are trying to make the best decisions they can.
I haven’t noticed an increase in prices for most things either. Toilet paper, paper towels, sanitizing wipes (when in stock) are the same price at BJs as pre Covid.
Meat prices are a little higher but there are sales on some kind of meat every week.
Since we shop at smaller stores where we can get in and out quickly, we don’t use delivery or pick up. And we only go once every few weeks or so.
We do have a CSA, and we had the choice of pick up at the farm or delivery. Delivery had an additional delivery charge…not an increase in the farm produce for everyone. We chose to pick it up.
Even if true that prices have become a little higher (IF) shopping online for pick up or delivery eliminates a fair # of impulse buys which probably lowers a lot of people’s bill anyway. And maybe we are actually eating healthier not throwing an extra pack of Oreos or fresh baked cinnamon rolls in the cart.
Also a little extra cost for increased protection of health for all involved? YES.
Since the beginning of the pandemic:
No haircuts
No dental appts
Only 1 dr appt
For 1st 5 months - grocery shopping every 2 weeks; more recently, every 7-10 days
Doing takeout since June, but have done it less than 10 times
No travel
Have had 2 porch visits with S2; haven’t seen S1 and his family (too far away)
Went to the farmer’s market 3 times (crowd controlled, masks required)
Although we do grocery delivery (easy to do, no impact to local economy), we still do limited purchases at local stores, medical/dentist appts, outdoor dining. So far our only haircut was outside…stylist came to my house instead of me going to our house.
Trying to find the right safety balance for our priorities, and part of that is to stay away from grocery stores so that the people who find in-person food selection important have a less crowded store.
I just did my weekly Sunday morning pickup. They were out of the single container of cleaner I ordered, so they substituted the double for the same price.
Most of my substitutions have been fine, except when they sent mixed greens with spinach for the spinach I ordered–I intended to cook it.
I mostly avoid grocery stores except for running in at unpopular times. They aren’t as crowded as early on, but the selection isn’t always good, anyway.
Well I jinxed myself. After 6 months of good Walmart delivery experience (and I think 4 years for my mother, same town)… we had a BAD experience.
The day after vacation (Sunday), we started filling our Walmart cart and noticed there was a 5-7pm delivery slot available. We took it, not realizing that yikes… there was a computer system glitch that day.
Walmart did not send any email status, except the first one to say they had started compiling the orders. I called the store (about 10 miles from us) at 7:15, and they said yes… running behind. I called again 8:40, and they fessed up to the computer mess.
We had a choice of coming for pickup right then (9pm closing of the delivery service) or calling back the next morning. The next day (Monday), we had an email giving us option to resubmit order. That required some work because some items dropped. We picked a Tues 9am delivery slot, and it came a few minutes after 9am as usual.
Yes. I believe that a) the consequences of getting infected could be terrible as ShawWife has had respiratory issues for the last few years; and b) while there are prudent ways to reduce risks (wear masks, wash hands, etc.), the risk is even lower if we reduce contact and especially indoor contact with folks.
We had a very full life. Lots of business travel (sadly, I’m elite for life on several different airlines), lots of personal travel, lots of entertaining at home, lots of meeting other people for dinner out, bicycling, kayaking, hiking often with others.
I started to lay out our excursions beyond home but it seems a little boring. So, quick summary: Since early March, no travel, almost exclusive cooking at home. Maybe five total visits to Costco, a grocery store, CVS and a hardware store. A couple of absolutely necessary doctor and dentists visits. No restaurants. Two takeout meals (but we live in an exurb so why bother).
What we are doing is:
I’m concerned about the winter as we won’t be doing outside meals. So entertaining will probably involve hiking in the cold if there is no snow (uggh) or snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, I guess.
Freshdirect was delayed for 90 min this Fri and I cancelled it. I went 2 grocery stores this morning - an Asian store and Trader Joe’s. It took up my whole morning. I don’t feel unsafe going to grocery stores, I just don’t enjoy it. I walked up and down aisles looking for sugar. Oh, today I also accidentally walked off with someone else’s cart instead of mine. I didn’t even notice until the owner came running after me.
“* Lots more Netflix and Amazon Prime.” - Aint that the truth. We too have been fretting over the upcoming change of seasons.
We’ve been using a supermarket (Shaw’s) just north of us since COVID hit–feel pretty safe there. All are masked and keep their distance, not super crowded.
A couple of days ago went to a different market (Stop & Shop) south of us in an economically depressed town. Could NOT wait to get out of there! Uncovered noses and masks around the neck all over the place. What drove me NUTS was that EVERY aisle had at least one person going in the wrong direction–it’s not hard to follow signs, people!! Yeah, I’ll be going back there again…
I don’t know if this is universal, but ShawWife has been saying, “Maybe we can go to X store” now. Her resolve has been weakening. I’ve been saying the next wave is starting, so we can’t become less vigilant at this point.
Is this common? Do you think others are lowering their guard at this point?
@shawbridge I agree that COVID fatigue has set in, which is part of the reasons why masks and social distancing is lagging in some locales.
But I also think some of it is adjusting behaviors as a result of knowing more about the virus than we knew in the spring. We were leaving non-perishables on the porch for several hours before unpacking them, wiping down groceries, etc. last spring until we learned more about the mode of transmission.
It’s trite and cliched, but as they say “We may be done with COVID, but COVID isn’t done with us”.
@shawbridge we call it “Covid Fatigue”. Some people are just tired of not doing anything outside of their bubble so are expanding what they are willing to do.
I live in New England. The weather has been terrific all summer for outdoor patio dining. I’ve done this with a group of friends every two weeks for lunch since June. We had our last lunch last week unless we get a fabulous Indian Summer which isn’t looking promising.
Our restaurants are opening to 75% occupancy indoors this week.
In terms of shopping, I’m still very happy going to our local small grocery store. In and out in 20 minutes. I don’t browse around. I have a list and also know where everything is. I had been going about every two weeks or so, mostly to get fresh produce and cheese. Right now I can’t drive (that pesky knee surgery) so DH has been going instead.
Around here, store delivery is spotty in terms of availability, cost and quality. For me, it was easier to go during old geezer hours, or in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon when stores were seldom crowded. That’s when I shop anyway.
The only retail stores I’ve been in are Target (because I use their pharmacy), Brighton (to get two small retirement gift bracelets), and Sur La Table (when the 40% off sign went up, I got a very nice Staub Dutch oven…that store was across the way from Brighton and I was there anyway).
The two times I was in Brighton, no one else was there except me, and two workers. At Sur La Table, I was also the only customer.