[Mlogan22@tampabay.rr.com]

Don’t see the need to bash fresh market. Get over it, it was two years ago. Just ask a question what you want.

[seoulbrooks]

Originally Posted by Mlogan22@tampabay.rr.com

Don’t see the need to bash fresh market. Get over it, it was two years ago. Just ask a question what you want.

Did not read any "bashing" The Op just stated their experience. No need for speech police! Our own FM experiences with holiday meals and some employees has also been less than enjoyable.

[Freeda]

We have used Kroger delivery when it first started in the area; and it was fine; but we already had an Instacart account, and don't want to pay for both delivery services. We find that what we got at Kroger we can also get from Publix, which is on Instacart, so we have just continued with Instacart. Instacart was a service that we just occasionally used before the pandemic, but since the pandemic we almost never go shopping; and not just for groceries, as Instacart offers many other non-grocery stores now - Bed Bath and Beyond, pet store, etc etc. It's a wonderful convenience. Between Instacart and Amazon, we get most of the things we need; groceries and otherwise. I also like that shopping on Instacart shows me all the options for an item, so I learn about new products, and can price compare; much more than I would take time to do for each item if I was shopping in person at the grocery. If we take time to indicate for each item what substitute you will accept (if any - you can say you don't want a substitute), and state the quality for each item (ie, for bananas we alway state 'green', and if we want more ripe ones also, we put a note in stating that), the shopper always does a good job. I think when people have problems with delivery, it's because they didn't take time to give these instructions for each item. Also, if we copy our previous orders and put them in the shopping cart (and then delete from the shopping cart any items we don't want on the new order), our instruction note for each item will automatically be there, so no need to type it again. I can order for delivery within a few hours, or can order several days in advance; and I pick the date and time. It's an amazing convenience, because I can order groceries or other things while watching tv or just relaxing at night, and it frees up my day time hours for other things. I will always use it, pandemic or not. Years ago with three small children and working full time, I had help at home that did my grocery shopping; this is the closest I've come to having that again. Plus, any small difference in the cost versus going into the store (this varies by the store - the stores themselves, not Instacart - control that) is well worth the time and car expense savings. Finally, Instacart is amazing about refunding any item that you have a problem with. No questions asked -- their system immediately refunds it either to your cc or to your Instacart account; whichever you ask them to do.

[nn0wheremann]

Originally Posted by NotGolfer

Two years ago when the shut-downs happened we only ordered one time from Fresh Market. We weren't impressed! They did make substitutions but it made the bill go up because the price on the original-ordered item wasn't honored. So we haven't done any ordering since.
We see the Kroger truck in our neighborhood from time to time. Has anyone tried them. I just went online to check them out and their prices seem reasonable. IF you've used them and they can't fill your item-order, do they substitute?? How soon after placing the order does it arrive at your door-step?? If you have any other tips, they'd greatly be appreciated.

****Update: As always people don't stay on topic. I don't care about the other options. I asked specifically about Kroger. Good for you if you prefer others. Thank you to the folks who actually answered my question.

Kroger filled our order correctly, but we thought they were pricey.

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

We tried it last winter from Publix using Insta Cart before we could get vaccinated. We had two bad experiences and haven’t done it since. Too many substitutes with stuff we wouldn’t have chosen, poorly selected fresh fruit and vegetables, and very expensive.

The reasons we stopped using insta cart and others like it!

[bxmt54]

Originally Posted by NotGolfer

Two years ago when the shut-downs happened we only ordered one time from Fresh Market. We weren't impressed! They did make substitutions but it made the bill go up because the price on the original-ordered item wasn't honored. So we haven't done any ordering since.
We see the Kroger truck in our neighborhood from time to time. Has anyone tried them. I just went online to check them out and their prices seem reasonable. IF you've used them and they can't fill your item-order, do they substitute?? How soon after placing the order does it arrive at your door-step?? If you have any other tips, they'd greatly be appreciated.

****Update: As always people don't stay on topic. I don't care about the other options. I asked specifically about Kroger. Good for you if you prefer others. Thank you to the folks who actually answered my question.

I’ve used it many times as Kroger was very popular in the Midwest where I’m from. As you’re ordering on line, you can tell them if it’s okay or not to substitute items. You can also pick your delivery day and time. They do deliver quite late. I think it is either 9 or 10 o’clock. I also buy a lot of Kroger brand items. After I stood in line Monday at the WalMart Marketfor what seemed like hours I will either order from Kroger or do the pickup and go at WalMart. Hope this helps!

[Vermilion Villager]

Expect more troubles with any type of service type work now and in the future. Dept. of Labor just reported 4.5 million people quit their jobs in November 2021, and the vast majority are in the service area. Can't blame COVID unemployment relief because that ended a long time ago. The new norm.....

[JudyMonin]

I have used them many times. Great service. Items were fresh and delivery on time. Prices are good. You can opt out of substitutions.

[twinklesweep]

No matter what shopping service you choose to use (assuming you do choose to use one), you can explicitly specify "no substitutions." There's no excuse for not doing so and the complaining about substitutions you weren't happy with.

[Villagesbound]

Originally Posted by NotGolfer

Two years ago when the shut-downs happened we only ordered one time from Fresh Market. We weren't impressed! They did make substitutions but it made the bill go up because the price on the original-ordered item wasn't honored. So we haven't done any ordering since.
We see the Kroger truck in our neighborhood from time to time. Has anyone tried them. I just went online to check them out and their prices seem reasonable. IF you've used them and they can't fill your item-order, do they substitute?? How soon after placing the order does it arrive at your door-step?? If you have any other tips, they'd greatly be appreciated.

****Update: As always people don't stay on topic. I don't care about the other options. I asked specifically about Kroger. Good for you if you prefer others. Thank you to the folks who actually answered my question.

I have used Krogers for a few month now and I love it. They always have great deals and coupons you can just clip online and then order the item. I signed up for the yearly free delivery and they have always been right on the timetable I have selected. You can decide if you want to accept substitutions or not but it is never more than the original cost of what you agreed to buy. When there is a substitution you can either accept it or not. I think they are saving me money each week and I could not be happier.

[Bay Kid]

I seem to get run over by the personal store shoppers. Good service but I still like to pick my own food if possible.