We all know how frustrating it can get when you’re out grocery shopping – the endless aisles, long queues that seem to last forever, can sometimes really get under your skin.
Well, there’s a solution for people, who just don’t have the time and don’t want to go to the store every week – you can simply go online and order your groceries and they’ll be delivered to your doorstep.
However, although it has obvious pros, there are issues that come with online shopping, too.
Pro: Comparing Prices
We all are used to comparing prices of different brands, until we find the right item at the right price. Well, when shopping online, you can compare not only between different brands, but between different sites for prices on the same item.
Pro: Don’t have to leave comfort of your own home
The great thing about shopping online is being able to shop while on your couch in your pajamas. You don’t have to get dressed, drive to the supermarket and pick everything by hand – by a push of button you simply select the groceries you need and voila they’ll be delivered to your doorstep.
Pro: Searching Online is Easier than Browsing Aisles
It can get really annoying to walk around in a big supermarket, looking for that specific sauce or spice, especially if there isn’t any staff around to point you in the right direction.
Well, when shopping online, your desired item is just one search away. You can usually simply type in the item that you need and that’s it – just put it in your online shopping cart.
Pro: Take Your Time (Or Don’t)
Have you ever left the store and then realized you forgot something? When buying groceries online, you can add something to your cart even after checkout, so if you forget an item, you don’t have to make an extra trip to the store.
On the other hand, if you know exactly what you need, you can save a lot of time quickly putting items in your virtual cart, instead of going around the store picking them one by one. If you buy frequently, you can even simply select from a list of favorites, making it an even quicker process.
Pro: 24/7 Availability
When shopping online, you don’t have to worry about store working hours – do the shopping at any time and any place, given there’s an internet connection.
Con: No Hand Picking of Items
Probably the biggest drawback of shopping online for groceries – you will not be able to pick out the items you like – which can be a real problem, when talking about things like fruits, vegetables, or even meat products.
You can’t hand pick the apples, or get a leaner piece of meat – you can only select the type of product, which will be picked for you by the service provider.
Con: Coupons Don’t Usually Work
If you like using coupons on your purchases, then buying groceries online might not be for you. They are harder to come by and way harder to use.
You will probably not be able to use them before checkout and will at best have to wait for a chargeback after your groceries have been delivered.
Con: Missing Out on In-Store Specials
Even though staying at home for shopping can be a comfort, but because of it you miss out on special sales that happen in stores. There are usually less promotions going on when buying online, so you have to buy with regular pricing more often.
Con: Delivery Time
This is an obvious problem – you don’t get your groceries immediately. It can take up to a day to deliver your goods, so you have to plan ahead and order in time to not be left with an empty fridge, even if only for a day.
Also, there are the delivery costs, which, although usually small, still add a little to your total buying costs.
Shopping online for groceries can be a great alternative for people who don’t like to spend time in supermarkets and value their time, but it just isn’t suited for everyone, because you have to plan ahead and order in larger quantities in order to make it worth your while.
However, it is a growing trend in many places around the world, and it’s getting easier to buy groceries online every day, so you might want to give it a try – perhaps you’ll be able to say goodbye forever to the endless aisles at the supermarket.
Michelle Forsyth is a self-acclaimed online shopping addict. When she is not working on her favourite hobby, blogging, she spends time with her two daughters Hayley and Claire.
Leave a Reply