Whether you’re living a busy work life, toting around small children, or have a disability that makes it hard to make it to your local grocery store and pick up the things you need for the week, delivery groceries may be a godsend for you. But is the convenience of having your groceries delivered a lifesaver or budget-buster? Let’s discuss the pros and cons of grocery delivery below.
How Grocery Delivery Works
Like with everything these days, it all starts with an app. Many major grocery chains have their own apps where you can create a shopping list and order groceries for pickup or delivery. Another option is the Instacart app. Instacart is an app that allows you to shop from a variety of retail stores in your vicinity instead of downloading an app for every store, it is a one-stop shop for all the stores they are associated with.
Once you’ve decided on an app, you can select the products you need and wait for the order to be assigned to a shopper. The shopper can contact you if an item is out of stock to ask if you want a replacement or remove the product from your order. When the shopping is complete, the shopper makes their way to drop off your groceries at your door. Like with anything, grocery delivery has pros and cons, from quality to cost.
Pros of Grocery Delivery
- It’s easier to stick to your grocery list. You are a lot less likely to make an impulse buy because you aren’t browsing the aisles. There is less of an urge to buy an extra treat or shop while hungry and overspend on things you don’t need.
- It saves you time. On-the-go lifestyles, limited free time, or the challenge of maneuvering little ones through the store – grocery shopping can be a real time-suck. Grocery delivery services can free up your schedule and restore precious energy.
- The app saves a record of what you’ve purchased before, making it easier to shop moving forward, and you can always refer to a previous receipt if needed.
- You can add items to your shopping list throughout the week until you’re ready to order.
Cons of Grocery Delivery
- It can be pricey. While you might be saving money on gas and time, depending on the store, there might be a costly delivery charge and additional charges, plus tip.
- Grocery delivery can’t guarantee the exact produce you’d choose. You may receive items that are slightly riper or have minor cosmetic blemishes.
- You might not get the items you asked for. The store could be out of stock, or the shopper might have difficulty finding a specific item, especially if they’re new.
- The shopper may misdeliver, creating a situation where you need to spend time resolving the error and having to create a new order or go to the store after all.
It’s essential to weigh the pros and cons to decide whether grocery delivery is beneficial for you or a budget-buster. Regardless, it’s nice to have the option just in case you ever need the convenience.