November 17, 2021

Is Grocery Delivery Free?

by Sam Rexford

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Is grocery delivery free? This is a question a lot of people ask. In recent years, the world has been going digital. From online banking to attending college classes from home, people rely on technology for a lot of needs that used to require physical interaction. One other way this is happening is grocery delivery. Grocery delivery has become a massive trend in today's society and could save you time and money. Do you want to know if it’s free? Keep reading!

What is a Grocery Delivery?

Grocery delivery is a service that will deliver your groceries for you. When you place an order with the grocery delivery, they ask for your address and delivery time. The store will then deliver your groceries to you within 24 hours of ordering them, often much sooner! Shopping for groceries has just gotten a whole lot easier!

How Does it Work?

Grocery delivery is a service that sends fresh, prepared foods to your customer's door. Customers can order online or on their mobile phone, then receive deliveries regularly or when they need it. Grocery delivery services will also come and pick up the order if the customer wants them to.

To see if grocery delivery is suitable for you, there are some key factors to consider:

  • Do you have trouble with mobility?
  • Is your home too big for you to handle?
  • Do you not own a car?
  • Do you live in an urban environment and don't want to spend time searching for parking spaces?
  • Is cooking not your thing?
  • Is the cost of groceries prohibitive now that food prices continue to rise?
  • Do you want to save time and money on your daily commute, avoid traffic jams, and pay for gas?

In all of these instances, grocery delivery is a lifesaver! In the busy 21st-century society, people don't have time to waste in grocery stores or public transportation. Grocery delivery provides convenience, comfort, and ease of mind. If you've ever found yourself in a situation where grocery delivery makes sense, order today!

Who Should Use It?

Anyone who doesn't live near a grocery store has difficulty shopping with kids or groceries, has limited time to shop for groceries, or is on a budget, can benefit from grocery delivery.

Is Grocery Delivery Free?

No, it is not free. However, you can often get free or cheap deliveries if you are an existing customer. Most grocery delivery services offer loyalty programs to give you points (often 1 point per dollar spent) and eventually provide free deliveries.

Keep in mind that if you don't spend enough to get free delivery, you will pay for one. Most grocery delivery services like Instacart, Walmart, Whole Foods, etc. charge between $4-$10 per delivery (some exceptions exist). It is usually worth it because we can save gas and time by not driving to the store ourselves. However, if you can make it to the store yourself, you could likely save money by buying the same products in the store.

Pros and Cons of Grocery Delivery

Pros

  • There's no need to carry heavy grocery bags out of the store.
  • Save money and time on gas. Often, we will order groceries and place them in our cart at the store and not buy them because we know we'll be home soon. We can just put it in the back seat or trunk and drive there instead of going to another store if we're driving.
  • It's convenient! You can order your groceries from anywhere! It is also possible to do it from your phone.
  • The prices are usually comparable to what they cost without delivery. Many companies like Prime Now offer a 2-hour delivery window which could save you time and gas if you don't mind waiting a bit.
  • For busy families with children, this is an excellent option for you! Sometimes it's hard to get the kids in and out of the car, up and down the stairs of the store, into their seatbelts, then back home. If you want groceries but don't have time to run out yourself, you can order on your phone and have them delivered straight to your door.
  • It saves you from having to go out in the rain or other bad weather.

Cons

  • Some people think it is not cost-effective because you're buying produce not picked at their prime, meats that aren't as fresh as they could be, etc. It's all about preference, but this might not be the best option for a healthy eater.
  • If you're a coupon clipper, you can't use coupons for delivery. The company you order from has specific coupon policies on their website, which is hard to navigate if they do not post them front and center. They may also limit the number of coupons you can use.
  • You have to tip the drivers, so it is more expensive than just doing things yourself. Sometimes it's hard to feel like this is worth your time if you're spending more money.
  • Some people complain that the groceries are not delivered in reusable bags, but they usually offer one for free or charge a small fee.

Conclusion

Grocery delivery has been a massive trend in today's society. It is becoming more and more popular because it saves time, gas money, and the hassle of driving through crowded parking lots to find a spot. Try out grocery delivery to see if it's worth it for you!


About the author 

Sam Rexford

Sam is a verified Grocery Hacker, owner of this site, and loves to find new ways to get deals on grocery delivery services. He buys and tries tons of grocery services and writes about his journeys with each one so you don't have to. You can learn more about Sam here.

Tags

grocery delivery


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