Every parent can relate to the struggle of grocery shopping. It’s a balancing act to cross everything off your list while preventing your kids from dumping useless items into the cart, tearing open boxes, and keeping your sanity. That’s why I never do it. My fridge is fully stocked but I haven’t set foot in a grocery store for a full-blown shopping trip in more than a year.
Thanks to the grocery shopping delivery and pickup gods, I do all of my shopping from the comfort of my couch, and I want to shout it from the rooftops that I’m a happier person because I don’t wait in that ridiculously long deli line. Most of the services all work in a similar fashion: place fresh grocery orders to be delivered or picked up at a predetermined time. But with all of the services out there, which one is right for you? We’ve rounded up the local options below.
Amazon Fresh
Delivery ETA: Same day
Fees: Must be an Amazon Prime member ($99/year) to use this service. Delivery of the groceries is free if you order more than $50 worth, but if you order less, Amazon will add a $10 delivery fee to your bill.
Pros: You’ll be able to shop Whole Foods items through Amazon Fresh.
Cons: Does not accept traditional coupons.
Insider tips: Amazon Fresh offers a “Doorstep Delivery” option, which is a three-hour delivery window where you don’t have to be at home.
Google Express
Delivery ETA: 1-3 days
Fees: Order the store minimum for free delivery—$25 to $35 in most cases.
Pros: You shop from a variety of stores at once with retailers like Target, Costco and Walmart
Cons: You can only buy dried goods, as Google Express will not ship you refrigerated perishables or alcohol.
Insider tips: If you have a Google Home Device, you can shop by voice by simply saying “OK Google, add chips to my cart.”
Instacart
Delivery ETA: Same day
Fees: Delivery costs $6 for a two-hour delivery window and $8 for a one-hour delivery window, or you can pay an annual membership fee of $149.
Pros: A new chat feature makes it easy to communicate in real-time with your shopper.
Cons: Many stores affiliated with Instacart mark up prices as high as 15 percent more than in store.
Insider tips: Instacart automatically tacks on a service fee to your order, but most people don’t know it is optional and can be waived.
Jewel Osco Home Delivery
Delivery ETA: Same day (if placed by 1 p.m.)
Fees: Delivery costs $2.95 to $7.95 depending on the speed, and customers are also subject to fuel charges.
Pros: Jewel Osco offers 4-hour “green” delivery window, which gives customers access to more promotions and savings.
Cons: When Jewel runs its popular Monopoly promotion, home delivery customers can not earn pieces.
Insider tips: Check for home delivery specials on the website to save on select items.
Mariano’s Clicklist
Delivery ETA: Same day
Fees: $4.95 per order
Pros: Every order gets two free fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.
Cons: While Clicklist is convenient, you actually have to leave the house and pick up your bagged groceries.
Insider tips: A Mariano’s employee will call you after your order is “picked.” During the time, you can also add any items you forgot. Don’t forget to plug in your rewards card number for savings.
Peapod
Delivery ETA: Next day
Fees: Delivery ranges from $6.95-$9.95 depending on the order size. A PodPass annual subscription is $120, which includes 12 months of unlimited delivery for orders of $100 or more.
Pros: Peapod doubles manufacturer coupons up to $.99.
Cons: The majority of items are marked up higher than in-store prices and there is a $60 minimum order.
Insider tips: Peapod offers delivery discounts if you choose off-peak times (typically mid-day)
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