Grocery delivery tipping

[Frankie the Fink]

Originally Posted by Black94lt1

My thoughts too, which is just one of the reasons I don't use the service, but for my elderly parents it is a game changer.

I get it completely, my housebound, widowed Dad got "Meals on Wheels" even though it was out of their routine service area for years starting in 2002. My other siblings and I thought it was free but found out at Dad's funeral, my brother had been paying a monthly amount to have the service go outside of their normal routes the whole time.... We all agreed to give him Dad's restored '65 Fairlane as part of his inheritance....for his quiet and unassuming thoughtfulness.

To wit, Meals on Wheels for seniors might be something to look into.

[Black94lt1]

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink

I get it completely, my housebound, widowed Dad got "Meals in Wheels" even though it was out of their routine service area for years starting in 2002. My other siblings and I thought it was free but found out at Dad's funeral, my brother had been paying a monthly amount to have the service go outside of their normal routes the whole time.... We all agreed to give him Dad's restored '65 Fairlane as part of his inheritance....for his quiet and unassuming thoughtfulness.

To wit, Meals on Wheels for seniors might be something to look into.

I actually deliver meals on wheels once or twice a month where I live, the recipients are so grateful that it truly brings a smile to my face. If it wasn’t nearly 3 hours out of my work day, I’d do it way more often.

I’ve tried to get my parents to do it but they are still resistant at this point. It may come down to just paying it and not giving them a choice. I pay their grocery delivery fees and tips now, so that they only pay what they paid before, the actual cost of the groceries

[Bill]

Prior to bringing Mom to live with me, I had her signed up for Meals on Wheels. I'd go over there every weekend, only to find that she'd not eaten most of the meals, the leftover trays were in the fridge. She didn't like the food. I asked her how she would feel if she went out of her way to volunteer to prepare and deliver food, only for the recipient to toss out most of it.

I ended up cancelling the service, didn't think it was fair that people put in effort for her not to eat most of it. We had grandma on the service in a different state, but we had to pay for it, as there was a wait list, but of course, cash talks. Sent them $ 100/month. Well worth it to have an extra set of eyeballs on her every Monday through Friday.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by bsmith

My wife has done the pickup deal where they shop for you and you drive up and they put it in the car.
Every time, the fresh produce has been shitty...

She has to be pretty busy to order online at this point.

We began doing it when my wife broke her foot. She prefers to go to the store herself.
She has done the order and pickup at the parking lot as well.

[Onebadcad]

Your tip is you using the service so they can stay gainfully employed!!

[dvarapala]

Originally Posted by Black94lt1

My mom emails me her grocery list and I place the order for her

If she can handle email surely she can handle placing the order herself?

As for how much to tip, if they block anyone's driveway they get $0.00 tip.

[Jughead]

I usually use Instacart for Costco purchases. Costco is about 18 miles away from me, thru a toll road and takes about 30 min. The toll is $2.50 each way.

My purchase is usually > $120 and I tip between $5 and $10.00

For me the travel time and toll saving alone is worth it.

[dvarapala]

Originally Posted by Jughead

I usually use Instacart for Costco purchases. Costco is about 18 miles away from me, thru a toll road and takes about 30 min. The toll is $2.50 each way.

My purchase is usually > $120 and I tip between $5 and $10.00

For me the travel time and toll saving alone is worth it.

Instacart marks up Costco items by 15% - 25% (with most being marked up by 20%). I know this because the shoppers accidentally left the actual Costco receipts in my bags on a couple of occasions.

All told you're spending ~$40 to save a $5 in tolls.

But I get it - the convenience is worth it.

[Black94lt1]

Originally Posted by dvarapala

If she can handle email surely she can handle placing the order herself?

No, sending an email is much simpler than online grocery shopping, setting up an account, paying online, responding to texts about substitutions (she doesn’t have a smart phone), etc. She’s 84 and can e-mail that’s about it. Plus I cover all the fees and she just pays me the grocery amount when I visit them

[Jughead]

Originally Posted by dvarapala

Instacart marks up Costco items by 15% - 25% (with most being marked up by 20%). I know this because the shoppers accidentally left the actual Costco receipts in my bags on a couple of occasions.

All told you're spending ~$40 to save a $5 in tolls.

But I get it - the convenience is worth it.

That not been my experience. My daughter occasionally makes trips there and picks up items for me......same price via instacart.