Is Online Shopping All That It Needs Be?

I have just read with interest an article in the Mail Online which says we’re fed up with online grocery shopping. It’s all the more interesting having just had a Sanisbury’s online delivery this week for the first time in ages, I was thinking I’d go back to online grocery shopping!

Last week I had an operation which has meant I have had to keep my left leg horizontal and rested. With me getting back on track though, my husband clearly thought he needed to take his turn at some rest and managed to rupture his achilles tendon whilst playing a ‘gentle’ game of tennis.

So with family matters pressing, limited time and ability to get to the shops, I thought I’d do an online grocery shop at Sainsbury’s.

After all online shopping is quick and convenient and growing fast, so I thought.

As an aside, according to the article ‘Reasons for switching to the web included broken limbs, the arrival of children, moving to a new area where their favourite supermarket didn’t have a store nearby or elderly parents becoming housebound’ – so we rather fall into the ‘broken limbs’ category I guess.

I put the £100+ order in (with over £25 savings!) on Sunday at about 9PM. It did take quite a while but I actually enjoyed ‘going down the aisles’ and filling my shopping basket.

I also found selecting ‘special offers‘ very easy and actually felt I could save money on my shop more easily than when I wander around the store itself.

The delivery slot was set for 3-4PM the next day.

At just after 3.30PM the door bell rang and it was here. The driver unloaded it into the house, all very efficiently.

I have to say I have been a little sceptical about buying meat online and also fresh fruit and vegetables. My concern being I am rather fussy over the amount of fat on meat and when buying fresh fruit and vegetables I always take time to ensure there are no bruises and the sell by date is as far out as possible.

I have largely overcome this scepticism and have not been disappointed with my deliveries. This time was no exception.

I also opt not to have alternative items should anything I have selected not be available. That’s my choice and I understand the consequence that I may miss out on a number of things. This time there were very few items missing. Perhaps the link between stock on the shelves and the online ordering process is getting tighter, meaning your are less likely to be able to order something that is out of stock?

All in all this was a very positive online shopping experience. I won’t do it every week as we literally live a 2 minute drive from the supermarket. I will though use it when time is pressing.

I will also use it when we go on holiday and are self catering – far better to get all the shopping to arrive as you do than know that one of the first jobs as you arrive on holiday is to go shopping!