Internet Groceries?

January 23, 2007

Would you pay someone $20 or so to do your grocery shopping for you? After all, you pay someone to mow your lawn, wash your car, launder your shirts & slacks (coincidentally I picked up my order at the cleaners yesterday - there’s nothing like a freshly pressed shirt). But back to the topic at hand: A local company is betting that people will pay for grocery shopping & delivery, and at a glance, the prices seem quite reasonable - especially if you, like me, always find yourself wishing that there were 30 hours in a day instead of the 24 we’re stuck with.

Even a quick trip to the local Meijer or Farmer Jack is an inconvenience, really: I’m on my way home, and I just want to get into some sweatpants for the evening and relax, or I’m wasting weekend time, or I should be studying, or working out. I figure conservatively that I spend about an hour or so grocery shopping each week, just for the basics. I’ll make a few side-trips to pick up something like ice cream, or fresh fruit if I’m in the mood, but those trips are beside the point. If I could get someone to do my regularly scheduled (usually Monday or Tuesday evening) grocery-getting, well that would be pretty convenient. And if I split the fare with my roommates - even sweeter.

The company is Grocer e-Pals, L.L.C., and according to their website, they service Southeast Michigan. You simply place an order, specify brands, sizes, quantities, and substitutes (in the event the store is out of your preferred choice) and a delivery time. Grocer e-Pals (get it: Grocer-y Pals! - seriously, I just got that pun) does the rest.

Grocer e-Pals provides you with the original store receipt, to which they add a service charge of 5%, and a delivery charge of $8.95 or $12.95, depending on the time of delivery. If you normally purchase $100 of groceries a week, you’re only paying them $14 to $18 to save you the hassle: parking, long lines, people who don’t know how to use the self-check-out-lanes, traffic, interacting with others (shudders), etc.

Additionally, because you make a list ahead of time, and the shopper is bound by that list, you’re not subject to the typical impulse buys (frozen foods are my achilles heel), and you’re less likely to overspend. You might even reconsider buying 3 bags of pork rinds if you don’t want the delivery person to know you’re a closet fat-ass.

Just something to consider.


Posted in: Potpourri

Comments

2 Comments so far

  1. Anonymous January 23, 2007 8:31 pm

    FreshDirect has been operating successfully in NYC for about two years. They charge $5 for delivery, but that is more than offset by lower prices for some select goods (e.g. 2-liter soda).

  2. dwz January 24, 2007 11:36 am

    I think it is a great idea, and I intened to look into it as I also live in southeast Michigan, which is the area they serve.

    I do wonder, though, if it will take me longer to make my food selections on the website, and place the order, than it would to actually go to the store and get the stuff…

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