"Jean B." > wrote in message
...
> Dave Smith wrote:
>> On 2015-02-05 17:20, sf wrote:
>>> On Thu, 05 Feb 2015 02:30:23 -0500, "Jean B." > wrote:
>>>
>>>> That's one reason why I also don't like the idea of using one
>>>> of the delivery systems. I want to assess ripeness for example.
>>>
>>> I have the same misgivings about ordering produce. However, I was in
>>> one of my stores and saw someone doing the "shopping" - he really took
>>> his time and picked out the best produce. I was happy to see it, but
>>> also wondered how often that happens. One guy in one store, one time
>>> does not make a trend.
>>>
>> When my mother could no longer drive she tried ordering from the only
>> grocery store around that delivered. There was obviously no careful
>> selection of produce.
>
> Sad. I actually have briefly contemplated being a shopper. BUT, for one
> thing, I wonder about things like the following:
>
> If a person wanted some specific produce items, and I thought they were in
> suboptimal condition, would that person still want the item or should I
> just not get it? How would a second party make any such judgment?
>
> Or what if I thought a type of produce was best at stage A, but the person
> whose order it was preferred stage B? Would I even know about the
> customer's preference?
>
> Can shoppers contact the people whose orders are being filled?

Depends on the store. Albertsons used to deliver. I placed an order when
we were snowed in and amazed that I even got it! How that elderly man got
to my house is beyond me. I felt sooo sorry for him. I tried to give him a
big tip but he wasn't allowed to take it. Amazon not only allows tips but
suggests them.

My only issue with the Albertsons order was that they subbed in a different
kind of peanut butter because they were out of what I ordered. And I
disliked the peanut butter that they sent so that was a waste of my money.
Not long after I placed this order, they said they would no longer deliver
in inclement weather and not long after that they stopped delivering all
together!

I don't really recall having any issues with the Amazon things but that was
when I was stuck on the couch and Angela was handling all of the food. They
also seem to keep a very good online inventory and if something goes out of
stock while you are ordering, it will not allow you to order.

At Safeway, with each item that you order, you can check off specific
exceptions such as that you will accept no substitute, you will take the
same brand but different size, the same brand but different flavor, the same
item but different brand, etc. You can also leave a note for your shopper
for each item. But... I did have issues when they did run out of an item
that I really needed and I just didn't get it at all. This annoyed me
because I was placing orders with Amazon at the same time and if it was
something like baby carrots then I could have tried to get them from them!