What's the alternative for those who can't afford transportation or a vehicle? I've tried all the grocery delivery apps – Stop and Shop, Walmart, Instacart. 90% of the time I end up with missing items and then I have to spend more money to get another delivery.
So what's the alternative? Because this isn't helping my budget at all. I'm fed up and at my wits end. It's insane how the customer gets screwed over in the end.
Grocery delivery is not frugal, so what's the alternative?
byu/SorryEveAtetheApple inFrugal
Posted by SorryEveAtetheApple
18 Comments
Call the store manager every time the order is wrong.
Is it possible to take a bus and bring with you one of those little foldable carts that people use to transport their groceries? If you are afraid of perishables going bad for not being kept cold on a long bus ride, you could just buy stuff that doesn’t need refrigeration with this method, and only use grocery delivery for refrigerated items, and you can stock up frozen/refrigerated foods for the month in one delivery trip that way.
Actually, frozen foods will probably be alright on a longish bus-ride. It’s mainly the refrigerated foods I would be concerned about.
Ask a friend for a ride to the store?
Have you run the numbers? It may be cheaper to pay for transportation to and from the store than to pay someone else to shop for you.
Also, consider looking at other stores. Where I live, Meijer is a grocery store chain. They offer free pick-up as well as two delivery options. A $10 delivery that comes at a specific time and a $5 delivery that comes in a large window. And the online prices are the same as the store prices. Their locations are also usually on a bus line, so looking into public transportation might be worthwhile.
Honestly, Walmart has been the most reliable for us. We upgraded to InHome and it’s even been more reliable. Not a fan of Instacart as a lot of stores markup prices.
It’s frugal for you because you are not spending money on a vehicle. Think about all of the costs of a vehicle and then compare it to the amount you are spending on grocery delivery. I’d be willing to bet that the grocery delivery is significantly cheaper.
Is there a nearby grocery store or smaller market you can walk to if you’re able? This is what I do when I don’t want to drive or my car is in the shop or something. It takes more trips in a week but supposedly that’s healthier anyways and ends up making less food waste than one big trip
I ask for a refund through the app. My daughter has food allergies, so if they haven’t updated the app and one of her allergens has been added, I’ll refund that too.
If it’s an ingredient I was planning to use that night, I just change my plans. Add the ingredient so it’s in the cart next time I have enough on the list for a delivery.
Bus, or grocery trips with someone else. When I didnt have a car, I would go grocery shopping with my friends who did have a car. It was a nice way to catch up and hang out without pressure, and I’d throw in a little cash for gas money to keep things balanced.
As for things missing, if it was in the order and not addressed, complain to the store if the delivery app is partnered with them. Or if not, complain to delivery apps customer service until you get a refund or credit
Can you get a ride from a neighbor when they go grocery shopping? I have done this with neighbors for most of my adulthood, both driving and catching rides. Look at local ride share services in the area. Sometimes there are drivers who don’t mind helping someone commute who doesn’t have a car. Look into your local community action program, some have transportation services to low income individuals.
‘It’s insane how the customer gets screwed over in the end’
I disagree
I get my groceries delivered because I’m disabled. It’s not cheap to be disabled
I use Amazon Fresh. As long as I limit my orders to once a week the delivery is free with Prime. Yes, still have to pay for Prime membership, but don’t have a car, so membership is way less than taxi service or car payments.
Delivery is FAR cheaper than vehicle ownership.
Alternatively, barter some sort of good/service for someone who will drive you to the store or loan you their vehicle to do the shopping yourself. Or if your mobility/local weather allows, consider something like a bike or e-bike. Tough for the larger items, but you can order bulky stuff like toilet paper or paper towels online anyway.
Pay for a ride to the store, and shop yourself. The prices in store are often less, and combined with getting exactly what you want, and no fees, you’re not likely paying much more – actually probably saving.
In the UK they’re pretty reliable and for £8 a month you get unlimited deliveries (well up to 1 a day). We do a weekly shop so it works out £2 delivery cost each time.
Even if you don’t have a good deal like that available to you then you’re saving money on a vehicle / transport AND you’re saving time
In my younger poverty days, me and my neighbors would get together and plan a list and whoever had the most reliable car on that day would head out and get the groceries for several houses, and we’d all pay back for our share.
When I moved away from that circle, biking or walking to the store became a combo of getting it done, and keeping fit without paying for a gym membership. Bike panier bags make a huge difference for me, especially in summer heat where a backpack against my back turns into a gross overheated sweat spot.
Fun fact: the farthest I’ve made it home with a frozen turkey on my bike is 10 miles.
walmart + has been the best thing for me
i live far enough itd take me 20 mins of driving each way and 2-3 gallons of gas for 50$ for a year i make my monyey back within 2-3 orders because of the cost of buying it local rather then walmart. sure there is a tip but im not tipping 20-30% like it tries to tell you to lol. i usually do 10% and call it good. i also do no substitutions because i got screwed over on that before but ive never not had the item delivered just make sure you order it for after say 8 or 9 so the floor is restocked.
Many delivery services have a way to specify if an item can be substituted or otherwise specify what to do if an item is not available.
If an item is simply missing, contact the seller and ask for credit including any impact of delivery fees.
If items can be stocked up, reorder before you run out.