I normally shop at four to five different local stores for groceries, toiletries, office supplies, and other household items. Many times I get frustrated because the items I need are out of stock. I spend more time in the store choosing alternates or I just leave the store empty-handed. For the last two years, I have used home delivery services often. My husband first suggested we try online shopping for our basic living needs and other essentials as the pandemic lingered. I know delivery services have been around for a while now, but I was skeptical at first. I questioned if I’d get exactly what I ordered, if the items would arrive in good condition, and if I’d be able to return things. Well, I can truly say my experiences with home delivery have exceeded my expectations. Here are the four retailers I have tried and love.
Amazon
I love Amazon because they have a large inventory of products in every retail category. I can usually find whatever I’m looking for on Amazon, which eliminates multiple store trips. Groceries and toiletries are offered through Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods delivery is available in select areas. I have compared the prices of Amazon and my local stores and found the prices to be comparable and sometimes lower. I can buy certain products in bulk too. Amazon has been a life-saver on many occasions. For one of my husband’s recent business trips, he accidentally left all of his toiletries at home. While he was flying to his destination, I searched options on Amazon and was able to use the Whole Foods delivery service to order what he needed and have it delivered the same day within hours of his arrival. Shipping services for same-day and overnight delivery would have cost four times what I spent using Amazon’s services. I also appreciated the that I could enter his contact information so he could receive alerts too and coordinate with the delivery person at the location if necessary.
The delivery notifications are clear and concise. My deliveries have been on time. The items are usually packed appropriately – cold items together & insulated, canned/jarred items combined, fragile items separated. Most times, the packages are sealed with large label, but there have been a few times when the label wasn’t secured or the bag was slightly torn. What I love most about Amazon is the attention to quality control and customer satisfaction. They make it easy to give feedback and report problems. Any time I’ve experienced an issue with a purchase, Amazon has dealt with it quickly and thoroughly. We opted for the Amazon Prime membership because it suits our current needs for home and business, but you don’t have sign up for a membership to use Amazon. Indeed, Amazon has changed the way I shop!
Walmart
We have also used Walmart delivery service to get staple items and toiletries for home or when we desperately need items while traveling. The turnaround has been either the same day or next day. The delivery alerts are on point. The only thing I would change is the packaging. The items were delivered in the standard plastic two-handle store bags and weren’t always sealed. What was in the bags could be seen through the thin layer, and there was no protective padding. That’s not something you want to leave on your porch for a long time. Other than that, Walmart is a good choice for basic needs and everyday items. I haven’t tried their grocery delivery yet, but I might test it out to see how it works.
Kroger
Kroger is my go-to grocery store. A while back, I started using the Kroger app after an employee told me about the vast amount of digital coupons available. Since then, I use it all the time to create and store grocery lists and search the weekly deals. Now, my grocery shopping is more organized. In the app is where I learned about their delivery option. Recently, I ordered groceries through Kroger delivery, just to test it out. The best part of my Kroger delivery was how the shopper communicated with me to get my approval about substitutions. I got exactly what I needed. And thankfully, my eggs weren’t cracked, bread wasn’t crushed, and produce wasn’t bruised!
Uber Eats
When I order Uber Eats, my food arrives on-time and is handled with care. I always keep an eye out for the promotions. I love the deals, which cuts down on the delivery fees and make the order comparable to going to a restaurant. There are a variety of food categories to choose from. Reporting order issues is a simple process of following screen prompts and submitting an image of the defective order. I never skip the picture step because it’s the best way to validate my feedback. The refund process is quick. Uber Eats can be especially helpful if you travel or work at a location where breaks aren’t easy to take. Delivery is widely available. There have only been a few times when my husband was traveling and delivery was not available. You can also send Uber Eats gift cards as a gift or to someone in need.
Things to consider when using home delivery services
Overall, I’ve found these home delivery services to be efficient, time-saving, and cost-effective. I prefer to use the mobile apps, but orders can be placed online through all of the websites. Each service has its own fee-based membership or paid subscription program that gives members access to additional services, benefits, deals, or rewards. We opted only for the Amazon Prime membership because it suits our current needs for home and business. Just know, a paid membership isn’t required to use any of these services.
When placing your order, beware of the substitutions clause. If the desired item is out of stock, the store can choose a substitution for you based on what they have in stock. Make sure you look over the substitution options, confirm how substitutions should be handled, or opt for no substitutions before checkout. Pay attention to the delivery fees. A discount might be applicable depending on the amount of your total purchase and the delivery timeframe you choose. Watch for order updates and delivery alerts. Be available to communicate with the shopper or delivery person. Try your best to schedule deliveries at a time when you or someone you trust can retrieve them quickly. If you have an issue with your delivery, send feedback as soon as possible and give the company an opportunity make it right.
If purchasing goods through delivery services to send things to someone at another location, consider adding that person’s contact number to get real-time delivery updates and to help facilitate any last-minute communication with the delivery driver.
More and more, people are using home delivery services for different reasons. It’s definitely a choice that should be well thought out. If you’re a little hesitant like I was in the beginning, research the options and compare the prices. If you want to try a service, start with small orders and see how it goes. You might not like it all or you just might love it! Most importantly, do what’s best for you!
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