As a teacher, the crazy schedule is REAL. Ideas to save time are not luxuries, but necessities. One of the biggest time suckers? Grocery shopping! I hit the store on the way home from school and find myself overwhelmed as I try to remember what's already in my fridge. Grocery pick-ups/delivery programs are getting better and better and the time saved is worth every cent! I've tried several of the different services myself and I'm asked all the time- which ones are a bust and which ones are the winners? Here are my personal experiences with each one. (Any links provided are affiliate links.)
Shipt
Check out Shipt for yourself here.
Experience: The appeal to Shipt was great. You could pay for unlimited deliveries (as long as I hit the minimum purchase) and could choose memberships as short as 6 months. In my area, Shipt only delivered from two local stores, but good ones. The ordering was simple and quick. My hang up? The premiums. Shipt tacked a premium onto many popular items, making it more expensive than stopping into the store. I used my 6 month membership, and enjoyed it, but the premiums were high enough that I don't think I'll ever be back,
Customer Service: I had one bad delivery but the corporate office helped make it right quickly. Good customer service overall.
UPDATE: I've been told that Shipt now offers month-by-month options as well. That's a great bonus!
Instacart
Check out stores available in your area here.
Experience: Instacart gives you two options- become an Instacart Express member for $99/year, or pay a delivery fee (typically $3.99, but can vary) and a small service fee each time. I opted for the latter, since my need for it can be sporadic. Prices can vary slightly from in-store, but overall the Instacart prices are much closer to the regular prices. In my area, Instacart has a much larger network of stores (including my true love, Aldi's) that add to its appeal as well. When I need delivery, Instacart is my choice.
Customer Service: Early this year, I had a terrible delivery. Driver was very late, fruit was bruised, milk was cracked and spilling, and most of groceries smelled strongly of smoke. This had never happened to me, and I was horrified! I called customer service and they were very committed to helping me make it right. They offered to reimburse me for the milk and redelivered every item with a new driver at no additional cost to me. I was thrilled! They made it right with no fuss or drama. Excellent service.
Do you want $10 in credit to try Instacart for yourself? Check it out here!
Kroger Clicklist
Is this one an option in your area? Find out here.
Experience: In my area of Michigan, Kroger has been greatly improving their service and offerings. They recently added Clicklist to their stores and it's been a dream! When doing my ordering on my laptop, they help me find extra coupons for the items I'm ordering, give me access to all the store sales, and bring it out to my car for only $4.95! (Let's be honest, if I went inside I would pay more than that in impulse purchases.) If an item is missing, they sub it out for another item, and if the sub is more expensive, I don't pay the difference. This has been the most cost-effective option for me if I can get there, and I use it almost every week!
Customer Service: I have only done it through one store, but every time I've needed an adjustment to a pick-up time or dealing with substitutions, their employees have been very kind and helpful.
BONUS: DoorDash
Curious what restaurants are available for you? Find out here.
Ok, I'm sneaking this in, even though it's not groceries. But sometimes after a very long day (or a long first hour, am I right?), I don't feel like cooking. An option to have my favorite restaurant brought to my door? Yes PLEASE. Delivery costs vary by restaurant and some premiums may apply, but man... some days, it's just worth every penny.
Do you want $7 off your first DoorDash over $10? Check out my referral here!
Ok y'all, what grocery time savers do YOU use? Is there another one I need to try? Let me know in the comments!
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