When the Family is Down ... Peapod Delivers!
Written: Nov 11 '09 (Updated Nov 11 '09)
|
| Full Review |
Our family has been visited by one of those pesky illnesses that just won't take a hint and leave! It became even more frustrating when the energy deserted us so that even a simple grocery shopping trip seemed like a climb up Mount Everest. Thank heavens I remembered Peapod.com. In my area, they are an online shopping service that is backed by Stop-and-Shop.
Navigating the Website
http://www.peapod.com
The opening page allows several ways to shop. 1) Log in as a guest, or enter your user name and password. 2) Select whether you are buying groceries for your home or business. The next screen prompts you for your zip code (if you are not a registered user).
At the top of the page is a large box where a promotional code can be entered. First time shoppers should definitely take advantage of this. The website offered me a $10.00 promotional code off my first order, but I had a coupon from a mailing that provided me with $15.00 off my order. A few days after placing my first order, I received an email providing me with four coupons for $5.00 each off my next orders.
The website is simple to navigate. A search box allows one to type in anything from a particular product, brand name, or product category. The search engine shows the nearest results. For instance, typing in "soup" brought up 43 categories of soup and separate listing of 23 brand names. Narrowing the search to "chicken soup" brought up three categories and two brand names (Campbells and Swanson).
Along the top of each page are helpful tabs: Peapod Home, Express Shop, Browse Aisles, My Lists, Specials, Recipes & More, Delivery Times. A note about delivery times ... choose your delivery time before you begin shopping. Locking in that delivery time is important, especially if you have a certain window you are aiming for. My first order, I needed delivered the next day, and my only option was delivery starting at 4:00 p.m. If you order a week or so ahead of time, morning deliveries are available.
One of my favorite features is the large shopping cart window on the right side of the screen. As you choose items, they appear in the cart, and the dollar total is prominently displayed at the top.
Let's Go Shopping!
Shopping at Peapod.com is easy. The website offers a large selection of items to choose from. Just about everything that you can find in the grocery store. The only drawback is that sometimes choices are limited. For instance, we enjoy the convenience of Marie Callenders frozen dinners during the occasional night that is crazy, when I'm flying in and out the door. Only four different varieties were available on the website, and only one of those is one that we enjoy. However, the price was great at $2.20 per dinner (on sale). In comparison, the selection for Lean Cuisine frozen dinners is enormous with 28 varieties, averaging between $3.00 - $3.50 each (not on sale).
I wanted to order pre-made chicken patties one time; however, my only option was to purchase ground chicken (not a big deal). All the meat I have ordered has been of top quality. The produce always arrives in excellent condition. I was delighted to find the organic celery hearts on sale for $2.49, cheaper than any of the other alternatives. Buying two 2-pound bags of onions at 75-cents each was less expensive than purchasing a larger bag. It pays to compare the unit pricing for value.
You do have to know your prices when shopping the Peapod.com site. Some prices are higher than you would like to pay. For example, a gallon of bottled Poland Spring water cost $1.33; while at another local market I always pay 99-cents a bottle. It's a case of knowing your prices, whether you have a coupon that will bring the price down, and if the item is on sale. Much like shopping at a regular store.
A great feature of the Peapod.com website is that every product image can be enlarged. The pop-up window also includes detailed nutritional information, ingredients, and extra information such as how to prepare the product and a product description. At the bottom is also the manufacturer's information. From this pop-up window you can also add an item to your personal shopping list, or select a substitution if the product is unavailable.
Checking Out - Payment, Delivery Fee, and Coupons
Once you are finished shopping, the check out process is similar to any online order. You will need to setup an account, provide both shipping, billing, and contact information. There are options to choose to receive emailed newsletters and announcements. Peapod.com accepts MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover credit cards. You can also apply gift cards to the order.
What I love about Peapod.com is the reasonable delivery fee. Order over $100.00 of groceries (not hard to do!), and only pay a flat rate of $6.95 for delivery. Order less than $100.00, and the delivery charge is $9.95. The minimum order amount is $60.00.
Coupons are accepted. However, they have to be submitted when the driver delivers the order. Place the coupons in an envelope that has your name and account number on it. Peapod.com reserves the right not to accept all coupons. They double manufacturer's coupons up to 99-cents.
Once the order is submitted, an email is sent that summarizes everything. Best yet, you are given a window of time to add additional items to the order. I've done that!
Delivery
I am very pleased with the delivery. Not only does the Peapod.com driver deliver to the house, the driver goes to the extra trouble of carrying all the groceries into the kitchen. Just about everything comes in its own plastic bag. Each gallon of water, in a separate bag. Each box of eggs, in its own bag.
Tipping the driver is optional but recommended. I always make sure to give a tip, and I know it's appreciated.
Each order also comes with a detailed packing slip. It shows the delivery date, The order total, state sales tax, delivery fee, my savings, and the total amount spent. The list also breaks out my order by department (ex: Baking Goods, Beverages, Meat & Seafood, Produce). I like that the list reflects the quantity as well as the item pricing.
Summary
While Peapod.com is a great convenience, it will not be my only choice for food shopping. I like picking my own food, seeing what is new on the shelves, being tempted by fresh baked goods. However, there are times when Peapod.com has a place in my life. My sister-in-law has also used this service when the weather has been too nasty to shop or when time-constraints have not allowed convenient food shopping. We both will be using Peapod.com again. It's a great help!
I hope you found this review useful.
Enjoy the day!
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Please read my other reviews:
Pampered Chef (online store)
Cooking.com (online store)
The Republic of Tea (online store)
Drugstore.com (online store)
Kohl's (online store)
LL Bean (online store)
Copyright 2009 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? groceries
|
|
|
|
About the Author
Location: Massachusetts -- USA
Reviews written: 1574
Trusted by: 352 members
About Me: Always looking for quality at bargain prices. Author of: Mist-Seer and Harriet's Horrible Hair Day.
|
