Delivery VS Self-Shopping
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No worries, I just wasn't clear in my original post. Your clarity was indeed helpful.
I have started delivering for Instacart and I only accept Aldi or Costco batches. They pay the most, have limited options and usually everything is in stock. I am averaging $42/hr with my tips.
One trick I recommend about tomatoes for grocery pickup/delivery: Don't get the ones on sale. They are bound to be crap. Get Campari, San Marzano, or Kumato (those usually come in the clamshell) if you need a tomato big enough for slicing. They aren't huge, but they are big enough to slice thin for sandwiches (you might have to use 2 slices instead of 1). If you just want some tomatoes for your salad, get those or get the grape or cherry tomatoes. I usually prefer roma tomatoes when they are on sale (perfect size for just about anything), but if you aren't getting those from a farmer's market, they probably aren't going to be great.
That's one of the things I miss about shopping instore, the ability to pick out which tomatoes I want, because I am really, really good at getting the right ones. But it's much better to pay a little more for a good tomato than to get the ones on sale and have them turn out to be mushy, overripe, underripe, etc. So many things can go wrong.
Cucumbers: get the English seedless variety. Always superior to regular cukes (unless you love a pulpy, seedy center).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/2020 02:57PM by JASFLALMT.
That's one of the things I miss about shopping instore, the ability to pick out which tomatoes I want, because I am really, really good at getting the right ones. But it's much better to pay a little more for a good tomato than to get the ones on sale and have them turn out to be mushy, overripe, underripe, etc. So many things can go wrong.
Cucumbers: get the English seedless variety. Always superior to regular cukes (unless you love a pulpy, seedy center).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/2020 02:57PM by JASFLALMT.
So friends of mine just got their groceries delivered from their local grocery store. I don't know if they used a 3rd party delivery service (ex Instacart) but they said the store didn't apply their loyalty card so they didn't get the advertised sale price on stuff. Is that normal? I told them I would complain.
Kim
I'd complain, too. I am sure the customer service departments are getting inundated daily. All the bugs will get worked out eventually.
@kimmiemae wrote:
So friends of mine just got their groceries delivered from their local grocery store. I don't know if they used a 3rd party delivery service (ex Instacart) but they said the store didn't apply their loyalty card so they didn't get the advertised sale price on stuff. Is that normal? I told them I would complain.
Instacart has an option for the customer to enter their store card which we present to the cashier to scan. It comes up as a barcode and the customer gets points. It could be that the shopper entered their own number and for the points for themselves which is against policy....
I was just looking at tomatoes because I didnt get any with my last order. The Kumato are only 50 cents a lb more than the romas which are far too green right now. Also once again I didnt get any beans. Giving up now and going for canned ones. They are pricejacked on Amazon. They shouldnt cost more than a buck a lb but a 10 lb bag was going for $25.
@JASFLALMT wrote:
One trick I recommend about tomatoes for grocery pickup/delivery: Don't get the ones on sale. They are bound to be crap. Get Campari, San Marzano, or Kumato (those usually come in the clamshell) if you need a tomato big enough for slicing. They aren't huge, but they are big enough to slice thin for sandwiches (you might have to use 2 slices instead of 1). If you just want some tomatoes for your salad, get those or get the grape or cherry tomatoes. I usually prefer roma tomatoes when they are on sale (perfect size for just about anything), but if you aren't getting those from a farmer's market, they probably aren't going to be great.
That's one of the things I miss about shopping instore, the ability to pick out which tomatoes I want, because I am really, really good at getting the right ones. But it's much better to pay a little more for a good tomato than to get the ones on sale and have them turn out to be mushy, overripe, underripe, etc. So many things can go wrong.
Cucumbers: get the English seedless variety. Always superior to regular tomatoes (unless you love a pulpy, seedy center).
It wouldn't hurt to get green romas for the future. You can put them in your window to ripen properly. It might take a few weeks but they will still be better than buying ones that have been gassed to turn red before the inside has properly ripened.
We grow romas nearly every year and sometimes I will pick them a little green and put them on a small tray in the windowsill instead of leaving them on the vine, especially if the weather is starting to get cool at the end of the season and there is still plenty of fruit on the plants. Cold weather affects the flavor of the tomatoes. I learned a long time ago not to put tomatoes in the refrigerator. They will keep well on the counter for quite awhile, sometimes weeks!
I love the flavor of the compari and kumatos, very fragrant. Great for sandwiches and salads.
We grow romas nearly every year and sometimes I will pick them a little green and put them on a small tray in the windowsill instead of leaving them on the vine, especially if the weather is starting to get cool at the end of the season and there is still plenty of fruit on the plants. Cold weather affects the flavor of the tomatoes. I learned a long time ago not to put tomatoes in the refrigerator. They will keep well on the counter for quite awhile, sometimes weeks!
I love the flavor of the compari and kumatos, very fragrant. Great for sandwiches and salads.
Im running out of space in my window what with all the romaine and celery. Im pretty excited about garden fresh tomatoes this year though.
I've left tomatoes on my counter in a bowl in the kitchen plenty of times, but usually after they are somewhat ripened first.
And woo hooo! I opened the walmart grocery app to finalize my order and there was a new message that delivery was now available in my area. 95$ for a whole year. Sign me up!
That will be worth it if you are going to do weekly delivery I would think...how far away is the Walmart?
It's about 2 miles. It's inexpensive compared to other delivery services. Instacart is something like $10 per delivery. Plus tips. There was nowhere to add a tip on the walmart order so I don't know if one is expected or not.
But at $10 per order that would be $40 per month. They say you can schedule a delivery as much as you want. There is only a $35 minimum.
But at $10 per order that would be $40 per month. They say you can schedule a delivery as much as you want. There is only a $35 minimum.
I don't mind driving and popping my trunk for a contactless pickup. I personally would rather do that and save the $95 a year!
But I also anticipate that I will not be using it that much, since all I need from here on out (after Monday) will be mainly fresh produce (at least for a month or two). Sometimes I will only a bunch of bananas and some green leaf lettuce, which I can get from that farmers market (no minimum, no service charge) curbside pickup.
This is going to be a strange reality going forward.
But I also anticipate that I will not be using it that much, since all I need from here on out (after Monday) will be mainly fresh produce (at least for a month or two). Sometimes I will only a bunch of bananas and some green leaf lettuce, which I can get from that farmers market (no minimum, no service charge) curbside pickup.
This is going to be a strange reality going forward.
Strange reality is right. I am not opposed to a pickup but my spouse is a worry wart and makes me swaddle up and douse myself in sanitizer. It's going to be a relief for her so it will be a relief for me too LOL.
Even a contactlless pickup where you aren't in breathing distance of anyone? Well yes, if it saves you the trouble of being nagged, it's well worth the money!
@CoffeeQueen wrote:
Strange reality is right. I am not opposed to a pickup but my spouse is a worry wart and makes me swaddle up and douse myself in sanitizer. It's going to be a relief for her so it will be a relief for me too LOL.
I think I will do delivery over mystery shopping once things “open up”. I make more money for less “work”. I did four Costco runs today. Took me a total of 5 hours (shopping and delivering). My net was $246.41.
That averages to around $50 an hour. I set 30% aside for taxes and 20% for car expenses (gas/wear and tear). I still make out with more than mystery shopping.
I have a full time job and mystery shopped for side money. I think I can make an extra $2,000 a month with minimal effort.
That averages to around $50 an hour. I set 30% aside for taxes and 20% for car expenses (gas/wear and tear). I still make out with more than mystery shopping.
I have a full time job and mystery shopped for side money. I think I can make an extra $2,000 a month with minimal effort.
That's very nice for you and you are providing an essential service. I hope you are young and healthy. I am fairly healthy but not young, so that wouldn't be for me. But I am really glad it's working out for you!
Thanks! I’m healthy, mid 30’s and take precautions when delivering. I stay away from apartment buildings and always cover up.
Most of the gig workers take the batches with high tips and I take the batches with low tips because they generally give cash.
I made a very good income before the furlough and have a nest egg. I figure I can bring in some money during this time and I think delivery is the “new norm”.
Most of the gig workers take the batches with high tips and I take the batches with low tips because they generally give cash.
I made a very good income before the furlough and have a nest egg. I figure I can bring in some money during this time and I think delivery is the “new norm”.
Since the shut down I have not been as happy with my Walmart pick-up as I was before it. I/ve had to wait a long time before the order is ready and then wait after I get there to pick it up. Today I decided to order delivery with Aldi/Instacart. I placed my order and they said it would be delivered in 2 hours. It was delivered in about 30 minutes. Every thing except one item was there and no substitutions. Yes there was a delivery charge, but in my book it was well worth it.
I stopped doing Aldi batches as they started limiting the number of people in the store and it was taking 30 or more minutes to even get inside. I’m doing Costco batches and made $450 in fees/tips in 5 hours and 45 minutes.
Crazy the demand for delivery right now. Just gotta remember to set 30% to the side for taxes...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/2020 09:30PM by Capurato.
Crazy the demand for delivery right now. Just gotta remember to set 30% to the side for taxes...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/2020 09:30PM by Capurato.
I'm glad to hear this, and will try Aldi/Instacart delivery. I have been using Publix/Instacart, and have been very pleased. I was wrong in my original assessment of third-party delivery services. When I called Instacart to report an issue, my account was credited immediately--no questions asked. They offer a monthly subscription fee program--$10.00--which negates the per-order delivery fee.@barbage wrote:
Today I decided to order delivery with Aldi/Instacart. I placed my order and they said it would be delivered in 2 hours. It was delivered in about 30 minutes. Every thing except one item was there and no substitutions. Yes there was a delivery charge, but in my book it was well worth it.
I started working at a grocery store as a personal shopper. This store has a dedicated team that fills the online orders and takes them to customers' cars. We shop for customers as if we were shopping for ourselves. The carts that we use when filling orders are sanitized multiple times. Chilled and frozen items are kept in separate coolers until puck up.
It's interesting to see how this works from the inside. The tips are nice also.
It's interesting to see how this works from the inside. The tips are nice also.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
The majority of my orders filled by personal shoppers have had errors, almost all have been in my favor. The grocery store I use is a chain owned by Kroger. The order pickers are high school kids, who don't have a trained eye when it comes to selecting produce and fresh meats. Regardless, I appreciate the service and use it weekly. My store does not allow tipping.
@HonnyBrown wrote:
I started working at a grocery store as a personal shopper. This store has a dedicated team that fills the online orders and takes them to customers' cars. We shop for customers as if we were shopping for ourselves. The carts that we use when filling orders are sanitized multiple times. Chilled and frozen items are kept in separate coolers until puck up.
It's interesting to see how this works from the inside. The tips are nice also.
That actually sounds super fun and mindless.
. Low stress compared to your future job.
I'm glad you like the service! If an error is made it's probably because you are a great tipper. The "system" doesn't allow for errors.
@Mert wrote:
The majority of my orders filled by personal shoppers have had errors, almost all have been in my favor. My store does not allow tipping.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
Exactly!
@SoCalMama wrote:
@HonnyBrown wrote:
I started working at a grocery store as a personal shopper. This store has a dedicated team that fills the online orders and takes them to customers' cars. We shop for customers as if we were shopping for ourselves. The carts that we use when filling orders are sanitized multiple times. Chilled and frozen items are kept in separate coolers until puck up.
It's interesting to see how this works from the inside. The tips are nice also.
That actually sounds super fun and mindless.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
Self shopped yesterday at COSTCO. Waited 20 minutes. As DD and I approached the entrance, the bottleneck occurred. We observed one guy walking out with a rotisserie chicken and a bottle of vodka. DD giggled. Then saw 3 ladies rolling out bottles and bottles of alcohol, no groceries. The ladies in front of us with their DH's were admitted through the other entrance. They went and bought a load of alcohol and waited for their spouses for admittance. DH and I have been to Rite Aide. Many people carrying out lone cases of beer. We? Bought a bottle of Prosecco, White Wine and Red Wine on our way out of COSTCO. Everything available with exception of Disinfecting Wipes and Lysol Spray.
LOL@chicken and vodka!
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
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