Thread

1. vadansky · 1790181103 · focus · HN ↗

   Has buying groceries online been normalized to this extent? I still feel dirty about it, but maybe I’m too old fashioned.

   1. mikeocool · 1790181268 · focus · HN ↗

      Seriously, once you realize you’re paying a minimum of 30% extra, it becomes hard to stomach.

      1. petcat · 1790181935 · focus · HN ↗

         For a lot of people their time and their effort is worth more to them than their money unless it is something they particularly enjoy doing themselves.

         1. [deleted] · 1790212268 · focus · HN ↗

            [deleted]

      2. astrange · 1790183180 · focus · HN ↗

         Is that assuming Instacart/DoorDash? Click and collect or even delivery from grocery stores isn't nearly that bad, right? I thought it was pretty competitive.

         1. ortusdux · 1790184284 · focus · HN ↗

            Walmart, for example, maintains in-store pricing, but charges a $95/year membership fee and you tip the driver.

            1. tzs · 1790193873 · focus · HN ↗

               If you order at least once a month it is probably worth upgrading from Walmart+ to Walmart+ InHome. That's $40/year but it has these advantages:

               • Delivery is by a background checked salaried Walmart employee in a company van rather than third party contractors.

               • Tipping is not allowed.

               • Instead of just delivering to your doorstop you can have them deliver to your garage, or even inside your home where they will even unpack them and put the perishable items in your fridge and leave the rest neatly arranged on your counter top or table.

               Since the minimum order for free delivery with Walmart+ is $35, a 10% tip on a single order would be more than the $3.33 that a $40 year annual subscription divide by 12 is (and most people would tip $5 on a minimum order rather than 10%).

               1. ortusdux · 1790196316 · focus · HN ↗

                  Very interesting. The person I know that thoroughly uses the services avoids buying some perishables (milk, meat) because they get to unsafe temps and quickly spoil. Maybe this would solve their problems!
            2. rnd0 · 1790209200 · focus · HN ↗

               Same as Instacart more or less, isn't it? Instacart is $99 and includes a Peacock subscription is the only differences I can see.
      3. mrngld · 1790186302 · focus · HN ↗

         Kroger's delivery service wasn't that bad at all, it was fantastic actually.

         Of course, some things are too good to be true, they apparently lost hundreds of millions of dollars on the effort before closing it down earlier this year. At least they did in my area in January, my understanding is they ended it everywhere they didn't have a physical store presence.

      4. Clamchop · 1790196286 · focus · HN ↗

         I buy "pickup" orders online all the time through the store's app where you can also buy instacart delivery. It's still shopping online but there's no additional cost nor tip for ordering pickup.
   2. srmatto · 1790181606 · focus · HN ↗

      Depends on what you mean. I can buy groceries directly through the grocer instead of a middleman like DoorDash. I would count that as online.
   3. jroesch · 1790184125 · focus · HN ↗

      Many grocery stories were also experimenting with digital signage that is dynamic as well. So many not individually profiled but at level of hours/neighborhood. They are trying to bring it where they can.
   4. BeetleB · 1790185163 · focus · HN ↗

      A lot of grocery chains let you order online. They'll pack it for you and you simply drive there and pick up (they'll bring to your car).
   5. SaberTail · 1790187270 · focus · HN ↗

      For example, Safeway (and the rest of the Albertsons stores) offer coupons that are only available online. You use them in person in the store, via the loyalty card, but you have to use their website or app to get them. Some of these get offered to everyone, but others are personalized based on whatever data they have on you.

      1. OptionOfT · 1790192034 · focus · HN ↗

         Sometimes you get coupons mailed on your behavior. There is a story out there that Target has(had?) a pregnancy prediction score, and acted on that to send you coupons: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;verdict.justia.com&#x2F;2012&#x2F;02&#x2F;28&#x2F;should-target-tell-your-loved-ones-you-are-pregnant-or-should-you" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;verdict.justia.com&#x2F;2012&#x2F;02&#x2F;28&#x2F;should-target-tell-you...
   6. mahboi · 1790206820 · focus · HN ↗

      I was confused about this, like they&#x27;re changing prices in the store when I get near?

      1. m_herrlich · 1790210416 · focus · HN ↗

         I hear that a lot but not sure how it would work. What if two people are standing there? How do they know what price you saw when you go to pay?

         I think it only makes sense for online shoppers (and there it does make sense)

   7. BoggleOhYeah · 1790219517 · focus · HN ↗

      I don’t know how people stand it when it comes to produce. The people picking the orders aren’t being paid enough to give a shit about the state of your zucchini or whatever so it’s random that you end up with a decent one.

      Then again, a lot of people just don’t eat fresh food.

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