Pros and Cons of Grocery Delivery

Chances are that you have seen new ads for grocery delivery and pickup services at your local grocery store. As the fast paced lifestyle of many busy people continues.

These pickup and delivery services allow you to create a shopping list on their website or app, and then a personal shopper goes into the store and picks out your items. Depending on the service, you can buzz up to the store, park and it’s loaded into your trunk, or it can be delivered right to your front door.

Personally, I don’t use any service for my regular grocery shopping trip. But, I’ve seen the pickup service at my store to be most helpful in situations where we run out of a few things (and need quick re-supply!) or there’s a request for something at the kids’ school, or I forgot that I’m on snack duty for Charlie’s soccer team this week. I like having the option to order from home and buzz by the store when I’ll be nearby, just to get those few items that crept up. I don’t do it often, but it can be quite convenient.

These options do have a small shopper or delivery fee, and we’re going to breakdown whether or not it is worth it to your family.

Here are some pros and cons to consider…

Pros and Cons of Grocery Delivery

Pro – Prevents Impulse Purchases

Sometimes those amazing deals or shining new products lead to overspending with impulse purchases. And it seems that the stricter the budget we are on, the more tempting those impulse purchases can be. (amiright?!)

BUT….when you are not actually in the store to see those special deals, you will not be able to pick them up as an impulse purchase…and a little more change will stay in your wallet.  

Con – Service Fee

One of the downfalls to grocery delivery is that there is a fee for the service. Each store or service will have their own set fees or memberships. You may end up paying a fee each trip, or there may be an option to sign up for a membership and get unlimited trips for a set price. Either way, the person doing the shopping and delivering deserves to be compensated. It’s up to you to balance the “cost vs. convenience” factor, and make appropriate decisions based on your budget, season of life, etc. 

Note: Be on the lookout for promotions, before signing on though, as some services will allow discounts on your first purchase!

Pro – No Going Out in Poor Weather

Weather can be unpredictable. If you are not a fan of going out when the roads are yucky, due to snow and slush, or getting stuck in the parking lot during a downpour, you don’t have to! Your shopper will get the items from your list, while you stay cozy and dry in your very own home! (This is super helpful if you have a newborn or physical ailment or recent surgery! Again, make decisions based on cost vs. convenience!) 

And of course be mindful of cancelled or delayed deliveries in severe weather situations. 

Con – Substitutions

Unfortunately, there are those times while you are shopping that one or more of the items on your list are out of stock. If you were at the store yourself, you could decide to pick up another flavor of the same item, or grab something completely different in its place. Your special shopper will not have that option, unless you are able to make a special note for them, allowing substitutions.

This also goes along with the whole “but I like to pick my own produce and/or meat” thoughts. I’m with you there, and that’s why I still do my weekly shops in the store, and use a service for pickup for non-meat/produce trips 🙂

Grocery Shopping with Shipt

If you’ve decided that now is the time for groceries to be delivered to your home, then Shipt has you covered. Shipt connects people like you and me to fresh groceries at your nearby store!

These are a few perks of using Shipt…

Groceries within the hour

A lot of grocery delivery services make you wait at least 4 hours! Sometimes when you need groceries, you need them now! (I heard my sister comment about this recently, as she a newborn and 4 kiddos under 6! She’s not in a position to rush to the store if she needs something! LOL) 

Depending on your location, Shipt may be able to get you your groceries within the hour. I’d say that may not be true in all cases, but for the most part this seems to be a pretty accurate statement.

You get to communicate with your shopper as they shop!

Another difference with Shipt is that you are actually talking to your shopper as they shop for you! If the store runs out of an item, your shopper will help you! For example, you may want to pass on the item or you may want a substitution.

Shipt is pretty straight forward. You don’t have to chase down the sales prices, you have someone to do that for you!  Shipt has an app and on that app, you can see what’s on sale! Love, love, love! 

There is a membership fee, but if you plan to use it often then it pays for itself quickly!

If you’d like to sign up for Shipt, you can learn more and sign up here!