Albertsons Online Grocer - Delivery of Groceries and no minimum purchase!
Written: Mar 31 '04 (Updated Mar 31 '04)
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Introduction
Why do I feel as if I have to justify ordering from an online grocer? Probably the same reason I look sheepishly around to see if any of my neighbors are home when the big delivery truck pulls up . . .
But OH the convenience! The relief when you are single, sick, and your friends are weary of picking up your Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia Ice Cream on a weekly basis! It is worth every penny of the delivery charge, which admittedly costs one-third the total amount of my orders most times at a whopping $9.95.
It's ALL in the DELIVERY!
Albertsons.com has a $9.95 delivery charge per order with no minimum purchase required. If you wish to pick items up at your local store, there is a charge of $4.95, which I could see being convenient for those with limited mobility who just want it all there when they arrive.
When you first go to www.albertsons.com you can put in your zip code to determine if there is delivery in your area. But to save you some time, here are the current delivery areas listed:
BOISE
DALLAS/FORT WORTH/ARLINGTON
LAS VEGAS
LOS ANGELES/ORANGE COUNTY
PORTLAND
SAN DIEGO/RIVERSIDE
SAN FRANCISCO/BAY AREA
SEATTLE
VANCOUVER
Why I choose Albertsons.com over Safeway.com!
So I'll admit it right now . . . this isn't the first time I have availed myself of online grocery delivery. My favorite service has always been www.safeway.com, because that is where I normally shop, and I have a savings card, etc. But what I didn't realize until I only wanted a few items that totaled less than $50.00 was that Safeway.com has a $50.00 dollar MINIMUM PURCHASE for delivery! Yikes!
Albertsons.com has no mininum purchase, but their delivery charge is much higher at $9.95. At Safeway.com the charge is only $2.95 if you allow for a broad window of delivery time. But $50.00? I am single! I don't eat that much food in two weeks, and when I use a delivery service I'm usually not feeling well and only want ice cream, bagels, bananas and maybe some yogurt. So Albertsons.com it is!
Website Shopping Experience
Sigh. Well, you can't win 'em all, folks. The website is poorly designed, slow to load, and I can't figure out how to use the "previous list" function without messing up my shopping cart. And I'm not exactly a computer Internet novice! You must register BEFORE shopping, which is annoying, but at least they automatically sign you up into their "Preferred Savings Card" program. I received the actual card in the mail about a week later.
You can either type in an item name, such as "Bagels" or search by aisle (my favorite) or search alphabetically. I've found the process to be time-consuming and clumsy - probably a result of the server having to upload hundreds of small image files to show you what you are purchasing.
Another gripe I have is that the actual package details are completely missing from the website. Sometimes I want to read ingredient lists or see what a product is all about other than just the name of the product - to see calorie counts, carbs, etc. you are just out of luck.
ORDER ACCURACY
You may opt to allow substitution of items with similar items of a different brand, or like myself you can ask that only the brand specified be delivered. My order was delivered accurately, but without one item I had really wanted - lunchmeat! That was my protein for the week!
DELIVERY SPEED
My delivery window was from 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm and arrived on time.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
The drivers are instructed NOT TO TAKE TIPS. I'm guessing it comes out of that whopping delivery charge of near $10.00! But I like that policy.
MORE ORGANIC PRODUCE PLEASE!
To be picky, I must complain that Albertsons.com doesn't exactly have a wide selection of organic produce. In fact, they had exactly one fruit (bananas) and one vegetable (broccoli) when I last ordered. HMPH! Now in their frozen organic fruit selection they also offered raspberries and blueberries, and I will grant them the bag of organic salad.
OVERALL SATISFACTION
I can't stand the website, but the fact that I can order less than $50.00 and still get delivery means a lot to a single person who likes independence and not bugging her friends beyond what is tolerable. :) The delivery charge is steep, but again, to place a dollar amount on convenience is often impossible when it really counts.
Thanks for reading,
Missy
hempem
Recommended:
Yes
Type of Products Delivered: Food
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hempem
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You are not superior just because you see the world in an odious light.
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