Is Online Grocery Order & Curbside Pickup Worth It?

I have been ordering my groceries online now weekly for almost 2 years. I started doing it mostly because my husband and I both dislike grocery shopping. If you haven’t placed an online grocery order, you need to!

I used to wait until the weekend and make him go with me but we were dealing with the weekend crowd and just overall wanted to spend our time doing something else. So when I heard about people ordering their groceries online for the same day pickup I pretty much went all in.

I love this service even more now since we have 3 kids and 2 of them are under 2, so grocery shopping can get a little crazy with all 3 in tow. 

Below we are giving you the details of the local retailers that offer online grocery shopping. We are providing all the details including fees, tips and whether they offer curbside or delivery.  

What is it:

Shop online for the products you need and pick up your order at the store from the convenience of your car! The store associates bring out your order and even loads it into your car for you. If you chose the delivery option then a store associate delivers your order to your home.

Benefits:

• You can order online 24/7
• Create lists for quick reorders
• Less distraction and  temptation to veer from grocery list
• Still can use your coupons and special offers and earn gas points
• Avoid long check out lines and parking hassle
• If they are out of your item they will call you with any substitutions

Ordering tips:

Be specific. You want 3 ripe bananas and 2 green bananas add those details to your order!

Request latest experation dates available. I always request that they provide me with the furthest date they can. No I date want the milk that expires in 1 week, I want the 3rd one back that expired in 3 weeks.

Don’t be afraid to call them if your not happy. Honestly, I’ve only had o call 3 times in the past 2 years and they have always made it right.  They want to keep you as a customer, so don’t be afraid if you are not satisfied with something.

You can typically modify any order you’ve placed as long as the store has not started processing your order

Grocers in Northern Nevada that offer online ordering:

Raleys

Options: Raleys offers curbside pickup or delivery to select zipcodes

Minimum: No minimum

Fee: $5.95 personal shopper fee on orders under $100 (first 3 orders are free even if under $100).  Delivery fee is $5.00

Payment: Pay online or at the store.

Walmart

Options: Walmart offers curbside pickup or delivery. 

Minimum: $30

Fee: Curbside pickup is free,  Delivery fee is $7.00

Payment: Pay online at the time of order

Smiths

Options: Smiths offers curbside pickup. 

Minimum: No minimum

Fee: $4.95 but first 3 orders the fee is waived

Payments: Pay online at time of order. 

Instacart

Options: Instacart is a 3rd party that offers online grocery shopping and delivery. Depending on your zip code they will shop Smiths, Sprouts, Costco, and more and they deliver it to your home. 

Minimum: There is no minimum but if spending less then $35 the shopping fee increases. 

Fee: Instacart seems to have the most fees. They have a service fee and shopping fee. These fees range between $5.99-$11.99 depending on order/delivery specifications. Insacart also has an option to sign up for express membership for $149 annually.  Sometimes items can be marked up, so you may pay more online through to service than in the store. Instacart also adds/suggest you tip your shopper.

Payments: Pay online at the time of order. 

Convenient right?

With the convenience of online grocery shopping, I can only imagine that more stores will begin offering this service.  I am all about the convenience of being able to order my groceries online and either pick up at my scheduled time or have them delivered. Plus it helps me stick to my list so I feel like, in the end, the small fee is worth it.

Have you done curbside pickup or delivery? What other benefits or tips would you add? Are we missing your favorite store that offers online grocery shopping?  Contact us and let us know!