In our last article, i took a look at the advantages of doing your grocery shop on the internet. But as with anything, where there are pros, there are also cons. So in my latest article, i thought it necessary to also examine the disadvantages of online grocery shopping.
You Don’t Always Get What You Ordered
If i pick up four oranges in a supermarket and put it in my basket, then i will inevitably arrive home with the oranges. If i order 4 oranges online however, i cannot guarantee i will receive them. Supermarkets do not guarantee delivery of everything you order. Sometimes the item turns out to be out of stock, so is taken off the order. Sometimes, they will substitute for a similar item. This is something of a lottery. You may get more of the item, or something totally inappropriate.
Disadvantages Of Online Grocery Shopping – Offers Can Be Dangerous
Having everything at your fingertips online sounds like a good idea. But it is not always so, as temptation can ensure that you buy stuff you simply do not require. As i have said on this site before, an offer is only a good offer if it is for something you require and was planning to buy anyway.
Disadvantages Of Online Grocery Shopping – You Have To Wait
Sites like Deliveroo offer a limited supermarket experience for quick delivery, but generally when you order online, you have to pick a delivery slot, and this takes away the flexibility of food shopping. Some slots will not be available to you due to demand, especially during a pandemic. And not all slots are free either, especially if you want super quick delivery.
Disadvantages Of Online Grocery Shopping – You Don’t Get To Handle Goods
As anyone who shops regularly for food knows, it is good to examine certain items, such as fruit and veg. You do not get this opportunity with online shops. From my experience, the standard of goods that supermarkets send me over the years has been generally excellent. But one area that you are at a disadvantage is best before dates. I have received plenty of meat products that has a short life. You can avoid this by picking fresher products when you do a physical shop.
Lack of Flexibility
If you want your shop delivered to you for free, then you will always have to spend a certain amount to trigger that. At Waitrose, that figure is £60. So for those that like to do small, regular shops, online shopping is not very useful. It only really suits those that like to do a substantial shop.
Pay Upfront
I noticed that the way supermarkets take payments for online shops differs according to who you use. A store such as Iceland take the money out of your account the second you put in the order. However, someone like Waitrose will only take the money on the day of delivery. That is something to consider if you have booked a shop well in advance, and if money is tight.
