Experiences with Food Delivery Services: From Instacart to In-Store Shopping

Whether you're a busy parent juggling multiple children and businesses, or a retired couple, the choice of how to shop for groceries can vary greatly based on personal preferences and convenience.

Personal Choices and Experiences

As a retired couple, my partner and I prefer to shop for groceries ourselves. Being retired has its advantages, as we can take our time and make the most of discounts and sales without being in a rush. Additionally, the Walmart Delivery service did not align with our daily routines, as we only resorted to using it once. Being food enthusiasts, the thought of pizza delivery was never a necessity, and we find joy in going to the grocery stores ourselves.

Adventures with Delivery Services

On the other hand, our children who are in their forties and juggling numerous responsibilities, such as running businesses and taking care of numerous children, find great convenience in using various delivery services. They take advantage of Instacart for shopping, but have also tried other services such as RestaurantTable for catering purposes and Zume for pizza delivery. It's worth noting that these services include options for meat delivery, such as butchers providing half a beef, and even delivery services for pizza sandwiches.

Our children are fully satisfied with these services, and they have encountered excellent selections from various suppliers. When a particular supplier doesn't have the desired item, there's often another one that does. This flexibility helps in solving any inconvenience that might arise.

Personal Shopping Experiences

Over the past year, our family experimented with delivery services, but soon found that we preferred the flexibility and personal satisfaction of shopping in-store. Last year, we took advantage of Instacart for both delivery and pickup services, which provided convenience but didn't always offer in-store prices and sales. However, we eventually transitioned to Harris Teeter pickup service, which offers in-store prices, sales, and even senior discounts. Now, we are back to shopping in stores for the personal experience.

The ability to touch and feel the products, the convenience of comparing prices, and the appearance of the stores all contribute to a better shopping experience. When supplies aren't available from one store, another nearby store usually has what's needed. This adds to the convenience and flexibility without the need for delivery services.

Whether you're choosing to use food delivery services for convenience or sticking to in-store shopping for the ultimate experience, the decision comes down to personal preference and lifestyle. In conclusion, both options have their benefits, and it's important to choose the one that fits your needs best.