Do You Really Save Money When You Order Groceries Online?

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With the rise of online shopping, it’s no surprise that grocery delivery services have become increasingly popular. You can now have almost anything delivered to your front door, from snacks to meals or even a car. But the burning question remains: Is it cheaper to order groceries online?

According to a report by CNET, after factoring in membership and delivery fees from popular grocery delivery services like Amazon Fresh and FreshDirect, buying groceries online costs about the same as going to the store or can even be cheaper when you consider gas. This is an important point to consider, as fuel prices continue to fluctuate and transportation costs can quickly add up, especially for those who live far from the nearest supermarket. Keep reading to find out if grocery delivery is the right move for you.

Considering Fees

Let’s take a closer look at the fees associated with grocery delivery services. Many of these services require a membership fee and/or charge a delivery fee. For instance, Amazon Fresh, which is available to Prime members throughout the United States, offers free two-hour grocery delivery on orders of $35 or more (or $50 in some areas). However, to access this service, you need to have an Amazon Prime membership, which currently costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year. This additional cost needs to be taken into account when evaluating the overall cost of online grocery shopping. 

Convenience Is Key

Despite the fees, there are benefits to ordering groceries online. One of the main advantages is convenience. With just a few clicks, you can browse through a wide selection of products, add them to your cart, and have them delivered right to your doorstep. This saves you valuable time and eliminates the hassle of navigating crowded aisles, finding parking spaces and waiting in long checkout lines. For busy individuals or families, this can be a game-changer.

Saying No to Impulse Purchases

Another advantage of online grocery shopping is that it can help curb impulse buying. When you physically visit a store, you’re more likely to succumb to temptations and make unplanned purchases. However, when you shop online, you can stick to your list more easily and resist the urge to buy unnecessary items. This can result in significant savings over time.

Andrea Woroch, a budgeting expert, highlighted the potential savings that come with online grocery shopping. She mentioned that while there may be some fees such as increased prices on certain foods and delivery charges, there is a substantial opportunity to stretch your food shopping budget and limit impulse purchases. Woroch’s insights were reported by U.S. News & World Report, emphasizing the financial benefits of shopping for groceries online. 

Insider Tips and Tricks

When it comes to maximizing your savings while grocery shopping online, there are a few strategies you can follow. First, you might want to take advantage of price comparison tools or visit different online grocery retailers to compare prices. This way, you can ensure you’re getting the best deal on the items you need.

Also, it’s good to keep an eye out for promotions and discounts offered by online grocery retailers. Many of them have dedicated sections on their websites where you can find discounted products or special deals. If you make use of digital coupons that are often available on the retailer’s website or app, you can score additional savings on your purchases.

And finally, consider subscribing to regular items you frequently use. Subscriptions often come with discounts or lower prices, ensuring you save money on essential products. 

Downsides to Consider

While there are some major advantages to ordering groceries online, there are potential downsides as well. One of the main concerns is the inability to judge the quality of fresh food with your own eyes. Raise your hand if you’ve ever ordered what looks like the freshest head of lettuce and then received a bag of wilted leaves.

When you shop in person, you can examine fruits, vegetables, and other perishable items to ensure they meet your standards. However, when relying on a delivery service, you are placing trust in someone else’s selection. It’s essential to choose reputable providers with a track record of delivering high-quality products to mitigate this risk. 

Another downside is sometimes orders aren’t right and the in-person shoppers make odd substitutions. If you’ve ever ordered a carton of oat milk and gotten a container of orange juice instead, you’re not alone. When you shop in person, you always get exactly what you want and don’t waste money on incorrect items. Additionally, the apps might not have the most up-to-date sales and when you’re in person, you don’t miss anything. 

The Final Word

Overall, online grocery shopping offers convenience and the potential for cost savings. While there may be membership and delivery fees, these can be offset by eliminating transportation costs and preventing impulse purchases. However, it’s not always the best option — particularly if you want to be in person to personally inspect your food before you add it to the cart and also to see what sales are live and happening in that moment. 

Josephine Nesbit contributed to the reporting for this article.

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