They Pick Better Produce Than I Do!--Albertson's.com
Written: Feb 16 '04
| On-Time Delivery: |
 |
|
| Return Policy: |
 |
|
| Driver Courtesy: |
|
|
| Price: |
 |
|
| Selection: |
|
|
| Quality: |
|
|
|
| Full Review |
If you have children you may be able to relate to the less than fun experience grocery shopping with two, little helpers can be. They want this and that, and most of all they want to be out of the store.
Enter Albertson's.com and their online grocery service to save my sanity, and occasionally my wallet. Now almost anyone in an area with an Albertson's grocery store can shop online for home delivery or store pick-up.
What is Albertson's.com?
Albertson's is a regional grocery store, though they do have quite a varied area of stores. They offer (as many retailers do) specials to it's Albertson's Savings Club Card. Their merchandise is pretty standard fare for grocery merchants, and their prices (especially during sales) are really worth checking out. The online site offers a wide range of merchandise selection to choose from to either be delivered or picked up at your local store.
Picking Out The Goods-
For some people there is no substitute to shopping themselves, however I have found that Albertsons.com does a more than fair job of selecting and offering merchandise. There are a few caveats, but shopping is overall relatively easy.
The homepage shows specials in your area, however they do not offer all the current circular specials online. This sometimes keeps me from shopping online, and I actually will run to the store to get what I need.
The selection as I mentioned, is good, however if something is out of stock, they won't let you know ahead of time. You'll merely find out when you unload at home and compare receipts. This only happened to me once, however it was an ingredient I needed for dinner so it was a major inconvenience.
There is also a surcharge for ordering and delivery online. For in store pick-up the charge is $5.00 additional, and for home delivery it's $10.00. You'll have to weigh the costs for yourself, but for a few items I prefer just running in.
Checkout and Payment-
Checking out is fairly easy, even if it's your first time. You need to create an account with billing and shipping address, enter your Albertsons savings card information and choose your payment method. This information is all stored for super quick checkouts on subsequent visits.
You will then need to schedule a delivery or pick-up time. They offer windows rather than specific, but I've never found my order to be unavailable at the window I've chosen.
The only flaw I could point out in check-out would be the limited payment options. I use my debit card, but there is currently no way to pay with a check, even if you pick the order up in store. I also couldn't find a way to pay with food stamps or WIC, or to utilize coupons if you have a need to use those with your order.
Special Delivery
Albertsons.com does not currently deliver to my area, though they do offer the store pick-up option at my local market a few miles away. I use this service about every 3 weeks. According to the website, current delivery areas are limited to areas around the following cities: Boise, Dallas/Forth Worth/Arlington, Las Vegas, Los Angeles (Orange County), Portland, San Diego/Riverside, San Francisco/Bay Area, Seattle, and Vancouver. A search box on the home page allows you to enter your zip code and see what's available near you.
Picking Up The Goods-
When you check out, you choose a delivery time from a menu. Depending on the time of day you place your order, next day pick-up or delivery may be available. I often order in the afternoon for next day delivery. I detest the after 5 p.m. pick-up available, the store is packed and the wait time for assistance is much longer than in the early afternoon or morning.
To pick up your groceries, you need to check in at the customer service desk, show ID and sign for your already purchased goods. I've never had to show my receipt from home, though I do bring it just in case it's needed. Customer service then gets a courtesy clerk to bring out your order. Keep in mind, this order is not picked at your local store, and is delivered from a central warehouse in stacking plastic bins that are sealed. They bring out these bins on hand carts and snap the seals for you, and then you'll need to unload into a cart. This can be a cumbersome project if you have a big order. All in all I still find it to save loads of time.
If you like shopping hands-on this service isn't for you, however big shoppers that like to minimize their time at the grocery store with "little helpers" might just find Albertsons.com to be a huge headache saver.
Recommended:
Yes
Type of Products Delivered: Food
|
|
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.