First Time Online Grocery Shop?

Adamc

Hi all 

I'm thinking of dipping my toe into the waters of online grocery shopping and wondered what peoples' experiences were? 

I tend to spend more than necessary when I shop in person so it may help me stick to the list. 
I still plan on getting fresh produce a couple of times a week but I wondered:

Are there any dos and don'ts? 

Is delivery pricing reasonable? 

Are any of the supermarkets better or more economical than others? 

Can you generally get a suitable delivery slot every week?

Many thanks 

GaleSF63

Adamc said:

Hi all 

I'm thinking of dipping my toe into the waters of online grocery shopping and wondered what peoples' experiences were? 
They vary considerably!

I tend to spend more than necessary when I shop in person so it may help me stick to the list. 
I still plan on getting fresh produce a couple of times a week but I wondered:
It's easy to go merrily through clicking things, but if  you see the total building up much too quickly, you can go through what you've picked and take things out. It can be a bit of a shock!

Are there any dos and don'ts? 
I would say use a shop that lets you specify or limit substitutions so you don't end up with lots of things you don't want.

Is delivery pricing reasonable? 
Varies. In theory yes, but in practice it can be a big lump on your shop. 

Are any of the supermarkets better or more economical than others?
 Generally I think ASDA is most economical and Waitrose most expensive with the others in between. 

Can you generally get a suitable delivery slot every week?
Depends where you live. 

Many thanks 

You could give it a try, see if it suits you.

Farway

GaleSF63 said:

Adamc said:

Are there any dos and don'ts? 
I would say use a shop that lets you specify or limit substitutions so you don't end up with lots of things you don't want.

Is delivery pricing reasonable? 
Varies. In theory yes, but in practice it can be a big lump on your shop. 

Are any of the supermarkets better or more economical than others?
 Generally I think ASDA is most economical and Waitrose most expensive with the others in between. 

Can you generally get a suitable delivery slot every week?
Depends where you live. 

Many thanks 

You could give it a try, see if it suits you.

Ref subs, some like Asda let you specify if subbing an item is acceptable, for instance if you must have butter then no sub in case they give marge, others no choice you'll get a sub if they feel like it, regardless of possible suitability  [Morrison's]

Waitrose allow you to add remarks to the order, like "smaller bananas please"

All say you can reject on delivery but often it's too late & too rushed

Fresh F & veg can be very hit & miss regarding sizing & quality so you're getting your own is a wise option

Delivery slots are dependent on locality it seems, even with same supplier. I find Iceland usually can be had next day, the rest within a few days but timings are very variable which may not suit bu as in my case being in most days I'm not limited to exact times so can be flexible

Delivery pricing, Iceland is free over £35, but stock range is limited but worth looking it may have just what you need

As said, suck it & see, there does appear to be mixed results which are more dependant on locality & not  the supermarket chain

kandk456

It was a nice experience for me, from my first online shopping, By going to the supermarket it take a time to purchase the groceries products, but after the discovery of the online grocery shopping app it the very easy way to buy grocery items within a few min, only needed internet connection and phone for the orders. 

Shreya7

My first online grocery shopping was so good.I literally enjoyed buying all the groceries simply by staying at  home using my mobile phone.Its really a blessing to have such facilities during this pandemic when we are afraid to step out of our home.

Bacman

Online grocery shopping is fantastic for delivering heavy items to you door, like milk, fizzy drinks, canned goods, beer, wine, etc. It saves you lugging them around the supermarket, into your car and carrying them into your home.

As to whom you use, it depends on personal choice, quality of items and what you want to pay. No supermarket are the best price for everything after all however if you get the bulk of items delivered then it frees you to go to supermarkets and pick your own fruit and veg and get deals. Deals are great, meat for example, as you never get reduced ticket items on home deliveries, only in-store.

Some supermarkets require a minimum of £25-£40 for an order or they add a charge to your shop, however it isn't hard to make up to that amount with other bulky things like loo rolls, washing tablets, etc; and you don't have to do an online shop every week. Book ahead though as the popular slots go quickly.

GeorgeAlexiou

Adamc said:

Hi all 

I'm thinking of dipping my toe into the waters of online grocery shopping and wondered what peoples' experiences were? 

I tend to spend more than necessary when I shop in person so it may help me stick to the list. 

I remember making this jump last year when we had a COVID-19 outbreak in the family. Even then, the thought of bruised bananas and half-rotten apples coming through the door terrified my mum!

Do's and dont's: As someone who's walked through your steps.. I'd say the do's and dont's are the fairly standard ones you would expect (like the normal shopping around, look for online coupons etc). I would recommend bulk-purchasing non-perishable items since you'll be able to avoid any delivery charges and set yourself up for a while.

Delivery pricing: With delivery pricing, it is worth it if you're only buying from one supermarket. If you're buying at multiple stores, you'll end paying delivery costs for each one (however, it's worth it if you're saving quite a few £).
 
Supermarket price comparison: Some items are cheaper in some supermarkets, but on the other hand, other items are more expensive in the same supermarkets. We use Trolley.co.uk for comparison, they're missing Amazon, Ocado, and others but do have your more traditional supermarkets like Asda, Tesco, Aldi, B&M etc.

Weekly suitable delivery slot: From the online grocery shopping I've done, I've found Iceland's probably your best shot at getting a delivery slot (I'm not sure if that's down to how local your nearest Iceland is though!).

Hope that helps Adam! Let us know how you get on 

maman

Shreya7 said:

My first online grocery shopping was so good. I literally enjoyed buying all the groceries simply by staying at  home using my mobile phone. Its really a blessing to have such facilities during this pandemic when we are afraid to step out of our home.

I'm pleased that you found online shopping a good experience. Personally it's just something I do occasionally, for good offers on heavy stuff like wine, but it's a good facility.

It is worrying  too hear  that you're afraid to step out of your house.  Have you been out to be vaccinated? Fresh air is good even if you choose not to go to the supermarket. 

tastyhog

Asda and Sainsburys do 75p -  £1 saver slots where you have a 4 hour window for delivery, which makes deliveries easier to justify, if you don't mind when it gets delivered, I tend to just get an evening one when I'll be in anyway. 

I don't do weekly shops, I tend to do a large one monthly to stock up the cupboards and freezer then one mid month for fresher stuff, which works for me without having to spend £40 each week plus a delivery charge. 

Iceland aren't as competitive but they do free delivery for over £35 and there's usually always a next day slot available and they always have £5 off codes to use.

Who's more economical? Depends what you usually buy, for basics they're all much of a muchness,  Sainsburys do price match aldi on some products, I find asda better for prices on fruit / veg if that makes up a lot of what you spend.