I finally tried the New Seasons home delivery. It was a hoot! Yes, it prevented two fossil fuel burning car trips, which is probably the best thing about it, or that’s what I should say is the best thing about it. It’s also two tons of fun! There is nothing like getting a bunch of bags delivered to the door that are marked “Ambient,” but maybe I’ve listened to too much Brian Eno in my time. Or I need to get out more.
Here’s the lowdown. I used the service twice, thus preventing round-trips to the store of 4.75 miles each. I shopped while my children played merrily in the backyard, bickering only slightly less than they do in the store, but allowing me to yell at them from the house without concern over what other people might think of my parenting. I ate lunch while I shopped.
On-line shopping took about 45 minutes, much less than the round-trip drive, the getting children in and out of the car, and the mediating public bickering required of in-store shopping. The virtual store is very easy to navigate.
On-line shopping did not cause me to spend more. My bill looked about the same as it usually does, perhaps a bit less. Using a virtual cart, I could refer easily to my total list and get an instant reality check on how much I was spending, rather than peering into a hodgepodge of stuff. There were fewer impulse purchases, and fewer purchases to appease the children (though I’m mostly a grump about that, anyway).
Everything I ordered came on the early side of the delivery window, everything I ordered was there, the meat and produce were fresh and weighed within an ounce or two of what I requested. The Help Desk was very helpful when I wanted to add items that were featured in the sale circular but not listed online (hot cross buns!!).
On-line shopping came with bonus gifts. Bonus gifts for the first and second online orders, bonus gifts just for shopping online. Nice bonus gifts, like organic ice cream and chips and salsa, and organic lemon juice.
Alas, I am a real cheapskate. This won’t replace my usual shopping routine. I’m not sure that I would regularly pay $9.99 for the delivery. I still like live shopping more, for the reasons I gave last time. I like picking things myself. Sometimes it’s fun to buy on impulse. Browsing wine and hand cream is more fun in the flesh.
But I would absolutely pay for the service if everyone had the flu, or my disc herniated, or we had an ice storm. I will use the service this month, when New Seasons will knock $10.00 off my bill if I spend $150, which I could easily do. Especially on wine and hand cream.