Bryan-TGWWW wrote:
> On Monday, February 2, 2015 at 7:02:06 PM UTC-6, wrote:
>> tert in seattle wrote:
>>
>> > wrote:
>> > >
>> > > "Sqwertz"
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > and were you part of the group
>> > >> knocked off facebook.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > I wasn't, but Steve Sqwertz *was* ...
>> >
>> > it was because he wouldn't trim his posts, wasn't it?
>>
>>
>> Things are much more polite in *chi ...
>>
> You should download my book on Feb. 14th, when it is going to be free.
> http://www.amazon.com/Winters-Presen.../dp/B00QJPEI6M

I've got it on my calendar!

Ophelia wrote:
>
>
> "Jean B." > wrote in message
> ...
>> Ophelia wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> "sf" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> On Fri, 30 Jan 2015 14:30:28 -0800, "Julie Bove"
>>>> > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I have gotten spoiled produce at Costco. I will never buy onions or
>>>>> potatoes there again even though they are cheap. Much of the other
>>>>> things
>>>>> they sell comes in far too large of a quantity for me.
>>>>
>>>> You seem to be the only one on this ng who consistently manages to
>>>> find subpar or spoiled vegetables. The rest of us don't have that
>>>> problem.
>>>
>>> I can choose my veg from open boxes so I can feel if they are good. Do
>>> all your veg come ready packed?
>>>
>> To varying degrees depending on the market.
>
> I think I would stay away from those places. I like to choose what I
> get. We do have ready packed too but I prefer to see/feel what I am
> getting.
>
>
I do too. 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.

"Jean B." > wrote in message
...
> Ophelia wrote:
>>
>>
>> "Jean B." > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Ophelia wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "sf" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>> On Fri, 30 Jan 2015 14:30:28 -0800, "Julie Bove"
>>>>> > wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> I have gotten spoiled produce at Costco. I will never buy onions or
>>>>>> potatoes there again even though they are cheap. Much of the other
>>>>>> things
>>>>>> they sell comes in far too large of a quantity for me.
>>>>>
>>>>> You seem to be the only one on this ng who consistently manages to
>>>>> find subpar or spoiled vegetables. The rest of us don't have that
>>>>> problem.
>>>>
>>>> I can choose my veg from open boxes so I can feel if they are good. Do
>>>> all your veg come ready packed?
>>>>
>>> To varying degrees depending on the market.
>>
>> I think I would stay away from those places. I like to choose what I
>> get. We do have ready packed too but I prefer to see/feel what I am
>> getting.
>>
>>
> I do too. 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've had no problems with the current deliveries. Some years ago I did get
potatoes from the CSA that had more dirt than potatoes. I think that was
the other farm though and not what I use now.

"Jean B." > wrote in message
...
> Ophelia wrote:
>>
>>
>> "Jean B." > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Ophelia wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "sf" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>> On Fri, 30 Jan 2015 14:30:28 -0800, "Julie Bove"
>>>>> > wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> I have gotten spoiled produce at Costco. I will never buy onions or
>>>>>> potatoes there again even though they are cheap. Much of the other
>>>>>> things
>>>>>> they sell comes in far too large of a quantity for me.
>>>>>
>>>>> You seem to be the only one on this ng who consistently manages to
>>>>> find subpar or spoiled vegetables. The rest of us don't have that
>>>>> problem.
>>>>
>>>> I can choose my veg from open boxes so I can feel if they are good. Do
>>>> all your veg come ready packed?
>>>>
>>> To varying degrees depending on the market.
>>
>> I think I would stay away from those places. I like to choose what I
>> get. We do have ready packed too but I prefer to see/feel what I am
>> getting.
>>
>>
> I do too. 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.

Yep that too.

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

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.

--
A kitchen without a cook is just a room

On 2/5/2015 5:20 PM, 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.
>

Smart stores do it that way. My wife worked for local produce supplier
with an excellent reputation for high quality. In addition to retail,
the supplied some of the nicer local restaurants.

The long time owner retired. The new owner no longer picked the best.
You just sent what was grabbed out of the bin. About a year and a half
later, he was out of business and did not know why.

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.

"Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
...
> On 2/5/2015 5:20 PM, 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.
>>
>
> Smart stores do it that way. My wife worked for local produce supplier
> with an excellent reputation for high quality. In addition to retail, the
> supplied some of the nicer local restaurants.
>
> The long time owner retired. The new owner no longer picked the best. You
> just sent what was grabbed out of the bin. About a year and a half later,
> he was out of business and did not know why.

That is how it was at Pike Place Market when I was a kid. I remember my dad
getting really angry when he tried to buy something. The guy wouldn't let
him pick and bagged up some stuff for him with some of it being bad.

"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
...
> 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.

It has all been good when I ordered it. Only problem was occasionally with
stuff like bagged salad that expired faster than we could eat it. That is
the case sometimes in the store as well but there I can opt either not to
buy or buy something else.

On 2/5/2015 10:22 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 2015-02-05 17:20, sf wrote:

>> 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.

Imagine not being able to do your own shopping, for whatever
reason you can't get to the store. It might not be ideal but
it beats not being able to get food delivered.

Delivery services should still know that's a concern people
have about their business and it would behoove them to try to
do a good job.

I'm picturing people on a call with IPads, showing the produce
the the customer who can say Get the big one on the right.
Amusing thought.

nancy

"Nancy Young" > wrote in message
...
> On 2/5/2015 10:22 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
>> On 2015-02-05 17:20, sf wrote:
>
>>> 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.
>
> Imagine not being able to do your own shopping, for whatever
> reason you can't get to the store. It might not be ideal but
> it beats not being able to get food delivered.
>
> Delivery services should still know that's a concern people
> have about their business and it would behoove them to try to
> do a good job.
>
> I'm picturing people on a call with IPads, showing the produce
> the the customer who can say Get the big one on the right.
> Amusing thought.

It is actually a very good idea!

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>sf wrote:
>>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.
>
>Smart stores do it that way. My wife worked for local produce supplier
>with an excellent reputation for high quality. In addition to retail,
>they supplied some of the nicer local restaurants.
>
>The long time owner retired. The new owner no longer picked the best.
>You just sent what was grabbed out of the bin. About a year and a half
>later, he was out of business and did not know why.

When I was a kid there were essentially no stupidmarkets, food stores
were individualized, butcher, deli, green grocer, bakery, fish monger,
dairies, small general stores that sold dry goods; grains, canned
goods, cleaning products, hardware, pharmacy, and others. Most of
these individualized stores delivered for free, you phoned in your
order or sent a child with a written list to be delivered or to buy a
small order to carry home. There was enough competition to ensure
that the shopkeepers delivered only their best products in order to
keep their regular customers... sometimes they'd tell a customer that
something was not very good so would recommend something else. These
small stores couldn't afford to mistreat their customers... and their
service was impeccable, in those times "The customer is always right."
was a truism.

Dave Smith wrote:
>
>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.

No competion...

On 2/5/2015 5:20 PM, 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.
>
A couple of years ago there was a push by some folks where I live to
have groceries delivered by Piggly Wiggly. My main concern was how they
would do the picking and choosing. I feared they would simply throw old
produce in a box in order to get rid of it. (No, the idea didn't go
over well.)

Jill

On 2/6/2015 7:00 AM, Nancy Young wrote:

> Imagine not being able to do your own shopping, for whatever
> reason you can't get to the store. It might not be ideal but
> it beats not being able to get food delivered.
>
> Delivery services should still know that's a concern people
> have about their business and it would behoove them to try to
> do a good job.
>
> I'm picturing people on a call with IPads, showing the produce
> the the customer who can say Get the big one on the right.
> Amusing thought.
>
> nancy

Where we used to live there was a grocery delivery, and when you chose
fruits and vegetables, such as avocados or bananas, they had 3 bananas
next to each other on their website, and you chose the ripeness of the
bananas that you wanted. On their website, you shopped by the aisle,
choosing what you wanted. When I search for bananas, IRL, I can not
always find the degree of ripeness that I want, but they tried to do the
best they could. I only used them once, when I had pneumonia, and it was
wonderful to have that available.

Becca

On 2/7/2015 2:46 PM, Becca EmaNymton wrote:
> On 2/6/2015 7:00 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
>
>> Imagine not being able to do your own shopping, for whatever
>> reason you can't get to the store. It might not be ideal but
>> it beats not being able to get food delivered.
>>
>> Delivery services should still know that's a concern people
>> have about their business and it would behoove them to try to
>> do a good job.
>>
>> I'm picturing people on a call with IPads, showing the produce
>> the the customer who can say Get the big one on the right.
>> Amusing thought.

> Where we used to live there was a grocery delivery, and when you chose
> fruits and vegetables, such as avocados or bananas, they had 3 bananas
> next to each other on their website, and you chose the ripeness of the
> bananas that you wanted. On their website, you shopped by the aisle,
> choosing what you wanted. When I search for bananas, IRL, I can not
> always find the degree of ripeness that I want, but they tried to do the
> best they could.

Terrific. I think if I had a business where I found out people
were hesitant to patronize because of an issue like that, I'd
make darned sure they got the best produce I could find. I like
that ripeness option, I often buy tomatoes, avocados, whatever in
different ripenesses so they're good on consecutive days.

>I only used them once, when I had pneumonia, and it was
> wonderful to have that available.

For a time, I wasn't up to doing my own shopping, it would have
been a godsend if it was available to me, so I know what you
mean. Naturally, once I was back on my feet, that's when they
started offering delivery around here.

nancy

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?

Julie Bove wrote:
>
> "Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 2/5/2015 5:20 PM, 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.
>>>
>>
>> Smart stores do it that way. My wife worked for local produce
>> supplier with an excellent reputation for high quality. In addition to
>> retail, the supplied some of the nicer local restaurants.
>>
>> The long time owner retired. The new owner no longer picked the best.
>> You just sent what was grabbed out of the bin. About a year and a
>> half later, he was out of business and did not know why.
>
> That is how it was at Pike Place Market when I was a kid. I remember my
> dad getting really angry when he tried to buy something. The guy
> wouldn't let him pick and bagged up some stuff for him with some of it
> being bad.

Sounds like the open markets in Boston. BUT it should be noted that my
knowledge of such is VERY outdated.

Julie Bove wrote:
>
> "Dave Smith" > wrote in message
> ...
>> 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.
>
> It has all been good when I ordered it. Only problem was occasionally
> with stuff like bagged salad that expired faster than we could eat it.
> That is the case sometimes in the store as well but there I can opt
> either not to buy or buy something else.

Right. How can a shopper make such decisions?

Brooklyn1 wrote:
> Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>> sf wrote:
>>> 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.
>>
>> Smart stores do it that way. My wife worked for local produce supplier
>> with an excellent reputation for high quality. In addition to retail,
>> they supplied some of the nicer local restaurants.
>>
>> The long time owner retired. The new owner no longer picked the best.
>> You just sent what was grabbed out of the bin. About a year and a half
>> later, he was out of business and did not know why.
>
> When I was a kid there were essentially no stupidmarkets, food stores
> were individualized, butcher, deli, green grocer, bakery, fish monger,
> dairies, small general stores that sold dry goods; grains, canned
> goods, cleaning products, hardware, pharmacy, and others. Most of
> these individualized stores delivered for free, you phoned in your
> order or sent a child with a written list to be delivered or to buy a
> small order to carry home. There was enough competition to ensure
> that the shopkeepers delivered only their best products in order to
> keep their regular customers... sometimes they'd tell a customer that
> something was not very good so would recommend something else. These
> small stores couldn't afford to mistreat their customers... and their
> service was impeccable, in those times "The customer is always right."
> was a truism.
>
Too bad this is not the situation now.

jmcquown wrote:
> On 2/5/2015 5:20 PM, 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.
>>
> A couple of years ago there was a push by some folks where I live to
> have groceries delivered by Piggly Wiggly. My main concern was how they
> would do the picking and choosing. I feared they would simply throw old
> produce in a box in order to get rid of it. (No, the idea didn't go
> over well.)
>
> Jill

You make me wonder whether the shopper has free rein to select what
he/she thinks is best, or whether a store would try to dictate the
parameters.

Becca EmaNymton wrote:
> Where we used to live there was a grocery delivery, and when you chose
> fruits and vegetables, such as avocados or bananas, they had 3 bananas
> next to each other on their website, and you chose the ripeness of the
> bananas that you wanted. On their website, you shopped by the aisle,
> choosing what you wanted. When I search for bananas, IRL, I can not
> always find the degree of ripeness that I want, but they tried to do the
> best they could. I only used them once, when I had pneumonia, and it was
> wonderful to have that available.
>
> Becca

That sounds like a good idea. BUT are the choices up to date? What if
you select bananas at a specific ripeness level, but the store has no
such thing? (It is almost impossible to find ripe bananas here...
unless one looks at the reduced-price produce. Even then, there may be
NO bananas out there either.)

I guess there has to be something like" if the item is not like this, I
don't (or do) want it. Or if this item is suboptimal, don't get it or
get this other thing instead.

"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!

"Jean B." > wrote in message
...
> Julie Bove wrote:
>>
>> "Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On 2/5/2015 5:20 PM, 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.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Smart stores do it that way. My wife worked for local produce
>>> supplier with an excellent reputation for high quality. In addition to
>>> retail, the supplied some of the nicer local restaurants.
>>>
>>> The long time owner retired. The new owner no longer picked the best.
>>> You just sent what was grabbed out of the bin. About a year and a
>>> half later, he was out of business and did not know why.
>>
>> That is how it was at Pike Place Market when I was a kid. I remember my
>> dad getting really angry when he tried to buy something. The guy
>> wouldn't let him pick and bagged up some stuff for him with some of it
>> being bad.
>
> Sounds like the open markets in Boston. BUT it should be noted that my
> knowledge of such is VERY outdated.

I've only been to Boston a couple of times. Don't remember seeing markets
like that but we might not have been in that area. I was very pleased when
a produce market opened in Edmonds. It is no longer there. It was owned by
two brothers who sold produce from Pike Place, but you could choose your
own. I was sad when it closed. Now they have a street fair type thing on
the weekends where you can get produce and other things but it's a PITA to
get to due to lack of parking. Because they have to close down streets to
house the thing that means even less parking than usual.

"Jean B." > wrote in message
...
> Julie Bove wrote:
>>
>> "Dave Smith" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> 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.
>>
>> It has all been good when I ordered it. Only problem was occasionally
>> with stuff like bagged salad that expired faster than we could eat it.
>> That is the case sometimes in the store as well but there I can opt
>> either not to buy or buy something else.
>
> Right. How can a shopper make such decisions?

When I ordered from Safeway, I could have specified to the shopper that it
needed to have a date of ____ or later or I would not take it. That does
get a tad convoluted though because I will eat pretty much any salad but
husband and daughter are pickier. So much so that if she is with me, I let
her pick the salad. She pretty much has a salad hierarchy. First would be
Italian Blend, then plain Romaine, then American, then Veggie Lovers. She
isn't really salads but she will eat them once in a while if she really
wants a salad. I wouldn't try to convey this to a shopper though.

"Jean B." > wrote in message
...
> Brooklyn1 wrote:
>> Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>>> sf wrote:
>>>> 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.
>>>
>>> Smart stores do it that way. My wife worked for local produce supplier
>>> with an excellent reputation for high quality. In addition to retail,
>>> they supplied some of the nicer local restaurants.
>>>
>>> The long time owner retired. The new owner no longer picked the best.
>>> You just sent what was grabbed out of the bin. About a year and a half
>>> later, he was out of business and did not know why.
>>
>> When I was a kid there were essentially no stupidmarkets, food stores
>> were individualized, butcher, deli, green grocer, bakery, fish monger,
>> dairies, small general stores that sold dry goods; grains, canned
>> goods, cleaning products, hardware, pharmacy, and others. Most of
>> these individualized stores delivered for free, you phoned in your
>> order or sent a child with a written list to be delivered or to buy a
>> small order to carry home. There was enough competition to ensure
>> that the shopkeepers delivered only their best products in order to
>> keep their regular customers... sometimes they'd tell a customer that
>> something was not very good so would recommend something else. These
>> small stores couldn't afford to mistreat their customers... and their
>> service was impeccable, in those times "The customer is always right."
>> was a truism.
>>
> Too bad this is not the situation now.

In those days, most places delivered anyway because families either had no
car or only one car and no way of getting groceries home, unless they lived
close and only needed a few things.

On 2/16/2015 6:31 PM, Jean B. wrote:
> jmcquown wrote:
>> On 2/5/2015 5:20 PM, 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.
>>>
>> A couple of years ago there was a push by some folks where I live to
>> have groceries delivered by Piggly Wiggly. My main concern was how they
>> would do the picking and choosing. I feared they would simply throw old
>> produce in a box in order to get rid of it. (No, the idea didn't go
>> over well.)
>>
>> Jill
>
> You make me wonder whether the shopper has free rein to select what
> he/she thinks is best, or whether a store would try to dictate the
> parameters.

They (the representatives from Piggly Wiggly) couldn't really answer
those questions which is why the idea didn't go over. I'm sure there
are lots of people around here who could benefit from home delivery but
hey offered no guarantees about anything. Then you're stuck paying for
whatever you get. Nope.

Jill