Grocery Delivery Options

Grocery Delivery Options

Several grocery pick-up or delivery services are available and can be very helpful during the pandemic. How do you pick the one that’s best for you?

Make sure the grocery service you choose is convenient for you. and that you understand all the costs involved. Some services deliver more than just groceries – you could have your purchases from drugstore or other stores picked up.

It’s easy to order from the grocery services. They offer an online menu with the grocery items, pictures, with brands and costs, including any special prices. You select the item and add to your cart, and then review your cart at the end before you place the order and pay for it.

Some options include:

• Ordering – Is it online? One service allows you to phone in your order.
• Cost – Is a fee added to each order? Is it based on the amount you order? Do you purchase a subscription?
• Delivery – Are the groceries delivered to your door? Can you pick-up at the store? Is there a minimum dollar amount for delivery?
• Options – Is delivery guaranteed within a certain time? If items are not available – is substitution made? How are you contacted if changes need to be made to your order?
• Specials or sales – Can you get sale prices on items? Most groceries offer weekly specials and the special prices may also be available when you place a delivery order.

Grocery delivery services to consider:

Amazon Grocery Delivery (www.amazon.com)

You can order groceries plus a variety of household items both online and by phone. Amazon has an accessibility hotline (888) 283-1678 for help in placing an order.

If you have or join Amazon Prime ($12.99/month or $119/year), your grocery order from Whole Foods is delivered free, if your order is over $35.

Prices are available for one-hour delivery ($4.99 and up depending on peak times). You can re-order by checking your previous order items, which are saved on-line. If you provide a cell, your shopper will call if an item is not available and offer a substitution, which you can decline.

Giant/Peapod, now Giant Direct (https://giantfoodstores.com/)

Giant Direct merged with Peapod in January 2019 to form Giant Direct. You can choose same-day pick-up (at your local Giant) or home delivery.

Pick-up your order at the store parking lot for free, with a minimum order of $30. Home delivery is available, starting at $2.95 and up, depending on the size and cost of your order. There could be a fuel surcharge added to your home delivery fee.

Giant also offers PodPass, two subscription delivery offers: Pay $25 or three months of deliveries on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday or pay $49 for three months of delivery anytime.

InstaCart (https://www.instacart.com/)

Use InstaCart to order from a variety of stores. Lancaster stores include Wegmans, Giant, Big Lots, Staples, Aldi, Costco, CVS, BJs, Rite Aid, and Target. Individual stores set their own prices on InstaCart, so some prices may be higher than what you find in the store. No store reward cards or coupons are accepted.

Accessibility assistance is available at 888-246-7822. A customer service person will help you place your order. Delivery starts at $3.99 and up. There is an additional 5% service fee with a $2 minimum. Memberships are available ($9.99/month or $99 annually) that offer free delivery on orders over $35.

Shipt (www.shipt.com, enter your zip code)

Shipt also offers delivery from different stores. In Lancaster, stores include Weis Markets, CVS, Target, Petco, and Office Depot. Individual stores may charge higher prices for items that are delivered through Shipt. No coupons are accepted.

Services are available 24/7, 365 days per year.

Delivery is normally within an hour of ordering, on the same day. Subscription fees ($14/month or $99/year) allow for free delivery on grocery orders over $35 (under $35 is $7 per order).

TeleGrocers, phone orders (888-902-7467 in Pennsylvania)

TeleGrocers may be the most convenient way to order your groceries for delivery, but it also costs more. You call and place an order which is filled through Giant Direct (you will have to confirm that the service is available in your area). Hours are Monday through Friday, 12 noon to 6 p.m. EST. Orders are usually delivered the next day within a two-hour timeframe.

You begin by making up a grocery list. If you can, categorize items such as produce, meat and seafood, dry goods, and dairy. Subsequent orders will be easier to place using earlier invoices. A customer service representative will take your order, and enter it online.

Delivery fees are paid to both TeleGrocers and Giant Direct, and can be paid with a credit/debit card. Fees are based on the cost of the order and start at $7.95 for a $60 to $100 TeleGrocer order and $9.95 for a Giant Direct order less than $75.

Walmart Grocery Delivery Services (https://www.walmart.com/grocery/)

Walmart Grocery is available at the Walmart stores on Lincoln Highway East or in Ephrata in Lancaster. Call to check availability at other Walmarts.

You can order garden or pharmacy items in addition to groceries. A substitution policy is available if your item is unavailable. You will get an equivalent or better item for the lower price. You can mark items you buy often as favorites for ease in reordering. Prices are the same as in the store and include any store specials.

Pick-up your order in the parking lot for free, or choose home delivery. There is a $35 minimum for checkout for home delivery, although Walmart often runs introductory promotions, such as $10 off of $50 for your first order (look for a promo code).
The fee for delivery starts at $7.95-$9.95, depending on the size of your order. There is a subscription fee for $12.95 monthly or $98 annually.