BristolUK

I was initially pleased to see that finally, on-line grocery shop and delivery was being made available here. Until now it's just been order and pick up or some more specialised (expensive) service. Or Walmart, which is fine for large stuff but not much else.

The newspaper report said it was (so far) just Superstore here and it was delivery for $3.99 for an order of $35 or more with a $9.99 per month membership or $99 a year.

My mind was buzzing. When I go it typically costs $14 for bus there, taxi and tip back. So I'm thinking that using the service once a month would cost (the same) $14, but twice a month would be $18 instead of $28. It looks well worth it.

But I check the website - Instacart.ca - and the first thing I see is that delivery fee is according to size of spend, but free if $35 and over. Well, that's okay, maybe it's just on start up for our area that we have to pay when others don't.
More buts...

• Flyer prices don't apply. I save more than that $14 cost of going every time. I save about 30-40% on flyer prices alone.
• No 'this store only' deals or unadvertised deals.
• No PC points. They can often save a chunk too; recently I used $70 worth towards the bill of $100 and the new purchases gave me $14 worth for the next shop.
• No half price stuff with the date approaching. That's what freezers are for - or the flexibility to have 'that' for dinner tonight and move tonight's plan to tomorrow.
• No banking. I always get cashback when I go.

So, for me, there's no point.

Surprisingly, they've been doing it since January 31st. Where's the promotion? A very small article in the newspaper in the 'in brief' section. I was there 6 days before it began, MIL and stepdaughter were there Sunday and SD goes in 2 or 3 times a week as she works almost next door.

None of us knew about it.

Anyone have any better experiences with it?

CanadaJimmy

I think Instacart is a third-party shopping service that does have some premium cost to it. Kind of like Skip the Dishes / Doordash for grocery shopping. Maybe check the actual website of the store itself? e.g. https://www.realcanadiansuperstore.ca/ (there's a start an order button at the top)

The pickup/delivery services operated by the grocery stores themselves are pretty decent. I've used Save-on-Food's pickup service a few times and it's been great, can only imagine the delivery is the same way. Real Canadian Superstore's pickup service was a bit slower and more awkward but OK as well.

scrubbedexpat091

If needing/trying to save money Instacart may not be the best choice. In Vancouver reddit someone used the service and Instacart person didn't take out the actual receipt from the grocery store so the person got to see just how much a mark up things were vs buying directly from the store.

https://www.reddit.com/r/vancouver/c...got_obscenely/

BristolUK

We don't have realcanadian here, it's Atlantic Superstore and at the moment all they do is order on line and you pick up from the store.

So far, the comparisons I've done with skipthedishes and the food places themselves, there's no difference.

If you want delivery, they're the only choice for the moment. That's not a reason for not moving here mind

If I was employed (and not fussed about spending a lot more than I needed to) I think Instacart's rates would be okay, but that's comparing using my need for a taxi. Better not to have the monthly rate too, of course. Last time I looked in England it was £5 and maybe £6 or £7 for premium delivery times.

scrubbedexpat091

Never used delivery for groceries, there is a No Frills next door, a Save On 10 min bus ride away, There is also a Super Store and Wal-Mart in Vancouver but on the extreme east side right before the city limits, so for us its not worth going to either for groceries. We sometimes go to T & T market downtown as they have the best sea food selection and my wife likes most seafood.

Shard

Can usually get Occado delivery free, but need to spend £75+. Delivery is more viable in the UK given the population density. Maybe you could pay a taxi to just collect it and deliver it thereby saving a two way trip? Or a college student or something?

BristolUK

That's a good thought. I often hear on the taxi radio requests for drivers to buy/collect/deliver beer from the liquor stores. And their website does say they pick up groceries. I suspect the fee would exceed the tip and bus fare to the store though. And you wouldn't get the unexpected in store bargains.

But, definitely, do the on-line order, pick up by taxi when unable to get there for weather or health related reasons.

Oink

Why not just get Meals on Wheels?

Siouxie

For anyone in the GTA try Grocery Gateway - https://www.grocerygateway.com/store/ I've found them to be pretty good (Longos) and if they substitute anything (you can choose not to have substitutes) they will take them back if it's not to your liking.. as well as taking back anything that you don't feel is up to standard... and will bring the replacement the next day free of charge. They deliver it to your kitchen!

christmasoompa

Most supermarkets do 'delivery saver' deals i.e. Asda offers £5 a month for anytime delivery, or £2 a month for Tues/Wed/Thurs deliveries. Good deals if you have a weekly shop you want delivered.

BristolUK

They don't do bog paper

BristolUK

UK's well ahead on this. I remember Shard saying something about a free Guardian and cup of coffee when shopping at Waitrose.

I'd be meeting someone there almost every day...it would even be worth talking to strangers.

christmasoompa

BristolUK

I've been away too long. I'm out of that habit.

Atlantic Xpat

The calling a taxi to go to the corner store & pick up a dozen Molson and a packet of cigarettes thing was, I thought, something uniquely Newfoundland but obviously not. The new variation is to call the taxi and ask them to go to the Weed store to pick up some more weed. Some people need to plan ahead more!