On line groceries

Who uses online groceries?

And what are the best ones?

I'd prefer a bit of quality rather than just whatever is available at the cheapest price.

But then again I'm not prepared to pay stupid prices for everyday items.

Any thoughts?

 

Hmm..

My wife would never consider ordering groceries on-line, as say she'd ordered some lamb chops. Whoever was picking her order would be unlikely to examine...every.....last.....pack.....of .... chops.....available.....before selecting one. Then there's lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes etc.,,,

 

I've used Sainsbury's online service a couple of times. It's ok until the item you want is out of stock. Then you either elect not to have it at all, or to risk the substitution service. This is only as good as the person doing the picking. If you're really unlucky and get the greenest of new teenage recruits, you may well find that you have been given jiff rather than jaffa cakes, on the grounds that both items start with a 'j'.

 

I have used Asda and Tesco. In the early days it was pants' for anything fresh BUT ASDA now have a commitment to choose as if for themself - ok it's not perfect but if you get something near it's sell by (and it's not got a very short shelf life) you can have the money back.

I don't, generally use it for me but I put my elderly mum's order on line every fortnight and they bring it into the kitchen for her and will put frozen stuff in the freezer if she asks and chilled in the fridge - she does this if she isn't feeling too good and there are no visitors due.

I usually order from Tesco about twice a year - stock up on wine, tins, bottles etc.

I've hear Ocado is excellent but pricey. Amazon also do a service but I've heard nothing good about that.

Yep - I've had some weird substitutions but the driver has to show you what are substitutes and will happily take it back if not wanted and, if only a particular brand will do you can opt not to have substitutions.

 

They all have their good and bad days.
Sainsbury's is a bit more refined and expensive, Tesco goes for some ridiculous substitutions (as ClaraLou points out) and happens to be out of stock often, Asda alltogether is my favourite (occasionally the 2hrs slot become 3hrs slot) especially when they substitute the missing items with quite similar or more espensive items.

 

I think the service is for your convenience - and not your economy.

A couple of years ago my husband was ill and I couldn't leave him alone in the house.
I did my shopping on-line with Asda for a few weeks.
I was truly grateful for the service and it was pretty good.
I don't know what I would have done without it.
The only thing that bothered me was sell by dates - they didn't choose for longest dates.
I don't use that service now, but if I had to it would probably be OK.

 

My boss shops online, a relic of the days when she didn't have a car. She uses it to buy larger, heavier items, such as tinned stuff, toilet paper, bottles of gin (!), tonic water, etc etc. She still goes down to the supermarket on lunch break to buy perishables - fruit, vegetables and of course to hunt out the bargains.

 

Ok so it sounds like a bit of a minefield, I've had a look at Ocado up to now and am thinking its a bit pricey, but you only get what you pay for.
I'm tending to agree that if its just a pack of frozen peas its not much different where ever you buy it.

So bearing that in mind I think you really need to see what your buying regarding things like meat, fish and fruit etc.

So while your going getting them yourself you might as well get the frozen peas?

I think its a non starter for me, but I can see where it could be very useful for some people.

 

Exactly!

The proportion of what is described as "packaged grocery" in the average weekly shop has fallen dramatically over the years.

Apart from cereals, pasta, cook-in sauces and cleaning products there's very little else we buy of such products.

For the bulk of our shopping we'd not really want someone else to choosing it for us.

 

Just slightly off topic but has anyone noted that food is regarded as free from VAT.

Just look at the till slip, VAT free my a**e:skp:

 

For impulse shoppers, or those with kiddies who spend half the time begging for items and the other sulking because you said no it is a dream come true. And it means I don't have to carry all the heavy bulky items myself-I am getting on a bit now and things hurt lo, plus it means that you don't forget things-the occasional unwanted item turns up but you can always give it back-that is if you are prepared to go through all the bags to look for the item. The delivery charge is very pricey though it is cheaper to drive to the supermarket yourself.

 

I think it depends on what you buy - biscuits are VAT free but cake is not, as an example.

 

Hi Pete

I have used tesco, sainsbury's and asda. I find Asda the best and the cheapest in my opinion. However i always buy fruit and veg fresh as the delivered ones don't tend to have the best shelf life. I have only ever had one dodgy delivery experience. Some chicken breasts which smelt a bit iffy. Probably perfectly fine but i am quite fussy so they went in the bin sadly

 

thankyou lollyb.

If they smelt a bit iffy you shold have complained, I bought some really smelly kidneys from Morrisions once, and when I took them back they just said, Ok a refund?
The stuff was lethal, one bite and your dead, but they made out it wasn't much of a problem.