JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: I was explaining to a friend (okay, it
was Celia) that I had run out of my Glucosamine Chondrate (if you are above a
certain age and have creaky joints, you will recognize this product) and hadn’t
bothered to swing by a drug store to get more. She asked why I didn’t just
order it on Amazon, and I didn’t have a good answer. For me, shopping at Amazon
is sort of a special occasion thing, for birthday gifts and Christmas presents
or replacing the TV.
But I have friends and family members who do a lot of their ordinary shopping via online services. Youngest gets everything from Amazon; I know because we share an account and I get notified every time something is delivered. (I always tell Alexa to thank the driver.)
Victoria, aka the Maine Millennial, has all her heavy stuff delivered from Target: giant bags of dog food, jugs of detergent, stacks of TP. Many of Celia’s sundries are dropped into her packages box via US mail as well.
But I… don’t. Is it because I like to comparison shop? I’m very frugal, and am the sort of consumer who still reads the weekly sales flyers that come in the Sunday newspaper. Living out in the country as I’ve been for decades, I’ve also gotten used to planning my shopping trips with drone-strike precision, purchasing exactly what I want (on sale, with coupons) while using as little gas as possible.
And there’s a deep-rooted New England puritan ethic in my soul. I feel a little guilty making someone else lug my paper towels and face cleaner. What am I, the queen? I’m not too good to hoist my own kitty litter.
How about you, Reds? Order, deliver, or shop in person?
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Oh, it depends. I used to shop for clothes in stores all the time, now the thought makes me cringe. It takes SO much time! And I don't really need any clothes.
For stuff? Again, it depends. Amazon is SO easy--file folders? Here tomorrow. The right pens? Click click. Printer paper and bird food on subscription, and it just shows up.
Groceries. I know you all are going to sneer at me and tell me oh, no, you need to SEE every tomato and what if you miss out on something you might love? And I think grocery shopping can actually be fun.
But if , instead of spending two hours in total including driving,I can get get perfect groceries delivered by clicking for five minutes, then that's wonderful and efficient. (I have also rationalized that it's giving people doable jobs and they get big tips from me.)
I have been Instacarting since Covid, and ONCE in all that time did I ever get something that wasn't perfect.
I probably have a worse record when I shopped for myself.
Funnily, we do NOT do door dash or any carryout food deliveries. If we carry out, we just go get it.
RHYS BOWEN: Ever since Covid we've been addicted to Amazon. I order my British cereal and it arrives next day. I need shampoo, or socks, and they show up on my doorstep. I know this is bad for real brick and mortar stores but these have become so difficult recently. I go to Walgreens for eye drops. They are in a locked case. I walk around the store to find an employee. Twenty minutes later someone shows up. Or they don't have a good selection.
I don't enjoy shopping for clothes online. Too many returns... not the color in the picture, too small/big and the fabric was not as silky as it looked. And I too don't need any more clothes! I must work my way through what I have.
We don't order food online. I like to feel my produce and inspect my meat, and John enjoys shopping so he does most of it. Strangely enough the only thing I like to buy from a real store is books (and wasn't that why Amazon started?) I enjoy the comfort of a real book store and since I have Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale and Book Passage in Corte Madera, two of the best, I'm quite happy to give them my business.
DEBORAH CROMBIE: Oh, confessing to addicted to Amazon here. Although I do bundle the deliveries for the most energy saving option (and therefore getting my bonus Kindle rewards.) I feel a little guilty, but how is my driving all over town to pick up things from lots of different stores better for the climate or my time?
We do Instacart, too. We started, or course, during Covid, and it's really hard to go back, especially on the use of my time part. But I do usually shop at Trader Joe's in person (they don't deliver, but I think I would do it anyway,) and at the farmer's market, our local bakery, and our local butcher/veg shop every week. It's the social interaction as much as anything.
LUCY BURDETTE: I do my own grocery shopping--just can't quite give up the need to pick things out myself. I have certain habits left over from Covid days: Who Gives a Crap tp and paper towels made of bamboo (isn't that the worst name ever??), Butcher Box meat, Chewy for pet supplies. We do use Amazon though sparingly--though they make it irresistible don't they? And never for books! Luckily we have two good book stores in Key West and my favorite ever in CT so I am well covered!
HALLIE EPHRON: I got hooked on grocery delivery during covid and I still use it some of the time. Though I LIKE shopping at the market. And our local Stop 'n' Shop has wonderful staff, many of whom have been there for ages, which is how long I've been shopping there. For a store with a large footprint it feels surprisingly cozy. SHOUT OUT to the Stop 'n' Shop in Wollaston!
Otherwise my wardrobe is in dire need of updating but I won't buy clothing online because of the nuisance of returns or the annoyance of keeping what I don't sufficiently like.
Other than that I love a good long walk at our local mall and you never know what will catch your eye.
JENN MCKINLAY: I do my own shopping--well, Hub does the grocery shopping but I do everything else such as the Target, Costco, and hardware store shopping.
I only order online when I can't get the item I need locally such as the only brand of dog food that keeps our schnauzer from having the runs (thank you, Chewy). I only use Amazon for books (mostly, research books or items not carried at the Poisoned Pen or Barnes and Noble) and, again, the occasional item I can't find locally.
I have a very complicated relationship with Amazon, so I prefer to buy local and support small businesses whenever I can.
JULIA: How about you, dear readers? Shop, or drop?
Mostly, I am a shop in the store person. I like to see what I'm getting, I like picking out my fruits and vegetables and meats . . . and I've been disappointed once too often with the shop online stuff [ask me about Walmart and the dead plant]. So, the online shopping is mostly relegated to that something I absolutely have to have and cannot get in the local store . . . .
ReplyDeleteSo Joan... what about Walmart and the dead plant?
DeleteI wanted a Moon Valley plant [Pilea mollis] and ordered one from Walmart.com. It arrived several days after I'd placed the order . . . and it was definitely dead. Nevertheless, as per the instructions to water it immediately, I gave it water and even planted it in some good potting soil. But no amount of care was bringing that plant back. The worst part was that Walmart, in essence, said, "Too bad" and wouldn't replace it or refund the cost of the plant. So I'm out the cost and I still have no Moon Valley plant . . . .
DeleteHence the reluctance to shop online . . . .
DeleteI'm blessedly lucky that Peter does a weekly grocery shopping with the car (good division of labor: I make the list and put the stuff away, and P gets it all). I've asked if he wants to have the stuff delivered by the grocery store instead, and he insists he wants to shop, so it's up to him. Nothing else ordered for delivery either, except for all my presents for US friends and family from Amazon! And Kindle books. So practical to be able to get English-language fiction as an ebook instead of a paperback that costs 2-3 times more in Switzerland than in a store in the US or UK.
ReplyDeleteBuying things from abroad is a whole 'nother topic, isn't it, Kim?
DeleteI buy a lot at Amazon as I live in a small mountain town 35 miles from civilization ( we have Safeway and Country Market but with limited items. We have 2 hardwares and 2 dollar stores I do not frequent.) Tax locally is 8.7. My AZ tax is 2.9, a huge savings.
DeleteGrocery shopping in store. I must see it, touch it. There are stores right near-by.
ReplyDeleteI buy clothes on line and in stores, but not much any more. Sizes used to be more reliable and I am harder to fit than I was when I exercised more.
I buy books from everywhere. Constantly. I probably buy a book a day these days. Amazon Kindle books. Some books you can only find on Amazon. I order signed books from Poisoned Pen (sign my book Jenn, and Rhys.) I buy books from Browseabout Books when we are in Delaware. I pre-order from R.J. Julia when Lucy has a book coming out. I pre-order from Barnes and Noble when they have their pre-order sales. I buy tons of Audible books and have a subscription, also Amazon. I also buy books directly from the author.
When we order take-out, we drive over and pick it up. I prefer to call the restaurant than to order on line.
But where do you keep all your books, Judy? That became a big problem for me and I have a largish house (for one person) but still the books were taking over!
DeleteJudi, most of the books I buy these days are for my Kindle, and I shop their sales! Almost all of the series that I buy are on for Kindle. For instance, I have most of Jenn's series, on my Kindle. I also purchase duplicates of certain series on Audible to listen to after I have read the books, like Debs's Gemma James/Duncan Kinkaid, James Benn's Billy Boyle and Rhys's Royal Spyness. I buy tons of romances on Audible, especially if something I want is on sale.
DeleteAs for paperback and hard covers, I buy fewer of those. When I finish reading a really good book that I know I will not read again, I put it in a separate pile and then send those books to my friend Anne in Florida. When she finishes, she gives them to her friends or puts them into the Little Free Library near her house. I am accumulating some piles, but not too bad. I am lucky that Irwin, who pays the bills here, hasn't complained about the expense. Since I joined JRW about 4 years ago, reading and the groups of readers I follow have become my hobby.
I remember some one - I wish I could credit it - saying when you bought a Kindle, you weren't buying a book, you were buying a bookshelf.
DeleteHa. Many, many bookshelves.
DeleteI mostly limit my brick and mortar shopping to Trader Joe’s My mobility issues make anything more very difficult. Other than that Julie does all the shopping. She still goes to Wegmans several times a week and enjoys it — well at least she tolerates it! We haven’t used instacart in a couple of years now.
ReplyDeleteSomedays I feel I alone keep Amazon in business. I only read on my Kindle and I buy lots and lots and lots of ebooks. Lately I’ve been rereading different authors. This is not only a pleasure but I find new things in old books. I also buy toiletries, Pears soap by the case, dog food, everything from paper clips to socks and air fryers. I alone might be keeping UPS and FedEx in business too.
A couple times a year I make a trip to buy clothing, but those needs have so decreased as years go buy. Nothing ever wears out and jeans and tee shirts/sweatshirts/sweaters are fairly timeless.
Amazon-R-US?
Ann, we buy Pears soap from Amazon too. By the case!
DeleteGood morning, Ann. Love being part of Amazon R Us with you. Elisabeth
DeleteElisabeth, delighted to be in any club that you’re part of!
DeleteDeb, I was cleaning the linen closet yesterday and found a stash that was way in the back — two dozen bars!
It's fascinating to me how Amazon has made formerly hard-to-find items (especially from non-US locations) so much more accessible. (Harking back to my complaint from the other day, clearly, I should turn to the Big A to find those exotic spices and sauces!)
DeleteI do a lot of impulse shopping on Amazon. With Prime, it's just so easy and the selection is so much better. I live too far out in the sticks for grocery delivery, but I love curbside pickup. By ordering online, I can keep a close watch on the total spent. I still have to drive to town, but I save the hour spent walking around the store. One thing I've recently come to enjoy, though, is the scan-and-pay option. Enter the grocery store, scan my rewards card, collect a little gun thing, scan and bag items as I go, and everything is totaled at the special check-out when I'm done. I don't use it all the time because I hate the idea of putting a cashier out of work, but it's such a great time-saver for when I can't schedule ahead for curbside pickup.
ReplyDeleteAnnette, that sounds very practical! I haven't seen anything like scan and pay around here; I'd love to know the store(s) offering it.
DeleteI know Sam's Club does. So does the Market District across the river from me. I use it at stores where I know the alternative is spending a lot of time standing in line. And in large stores where I probably did a ton of walking just to get my things, so I don't want to spend any more time at the checkout.
DeleteI was in Ikea last week and noticed they also have a scan and pay option.
DeleteI am not an order online person. Too many times I’ve ordered clothing and had to return becuase it didn’t fit right, or looked horrible one I tried it on. I spent 37 years as a publisher’s rep to independent bookstores (which means I loathe Amazon) and could shop all over New England as I did my rounds. I do order roses from David Austin online. For books I suggest ordering from an independent bookstore’s website or bookshop.org which supports independent bookstores and often offers a discount.
ReplyDeleteSuzette, I honestly have bought just about every sort of item at one time or another on Amazon (it's saved me many a Christmas) but the one thing I never buy are books! I feel so lucky to live in New England with our multitude of independent book stores.
DeleteI've been having a hard time lately getting the CDs I want at the two area stores I was getting them from. If I absolutely have to, I'd order them from Amazon. But I usually try to buy it either directly from the band website or the record company website. Hell, I haven't even bought off of eBay lately.
ReplyDeleteBut for pretty much everything else, I prefer to shop in person. Well, except from the fat ass fat guys catalog (AKA King Size) which I occasionally buy some clothing item from.
Groceries? Hey, I get the weekly flyer in the mail on Tuesday or Wednesday for the two stores I go to. I read through them both to plot and plan and then on Friday morning I log into the website of one of them to get my coupons added to my rewards account. Then I pick up what I need to make it through another soul-crushing week where I have yet to win the lottery but still need to eat.
You didn't tell us if you buy your lottery ticket in person or not, Jay! (Actually I have no idea if it's possible to buy them online. I only ever see folks getting their scratch-offs at the local mom and pop stores.)
DeleteJulia, when I buy a quick pick ticket for the Megamillions or Powerball, I buy it in person.
DeleteI am in need of a summer dress for an upcoming college reunion and the Cincinnati Opera June/July season. Mail order hasn't produced anything that fits, so it's off to the stores I go for the first time since 2019. It's hell.
ReplyDeleteTry Nordstrom.com. Free shipping and returns. They have a large supply of dresses. Measure yourself, snd follow the size measurements. Each manufacturer can be different. They also have stylists that will help you find a dress. Their services are free.
DeleteThanks for that useful and informative tip, Anon. I had no idea their free stylists were available for online shoppers.
DeleteIf you live near a store, a stylist will set up a dressing room for you with dresses they recommend and your choices. They will bring you more, if nothing works out in the first batch.
DeleteAlternatively, you can have the dresses shipped to your home.
They helped me find all my lawyer suits, when we still dressed up.
Grocery shopping in person. I am in walking distance of 3 grocery stores. I only used Instacart for grocery delivery during COVID lockdowns.
ReplyDeleteI have never bought clothes online. I do buy some food & miscellaneous items on Amazon.
Grace, I guess by now it's obvious that I'm not coming to Canada next month. I'm heartily sorry that we aren't going to get together. Have you found a Kohl's for your pants?
DeleteSorry to here you are not coming. I was looking forward to hopefully meeting you.
DeleteMe, too, Margo. But family stuff that I can't control made me change my plans.
DeleteI'm sending virtual hugs to all of you....
DeleteI was also hoping to meet you. Next time maybe.
DeleteDanielle
It depends on the situation, but if we have family visiting I will order on line from Whole Foods for delivery, otherwise all our closer supermarkets don't deliver (that I know of anyway).
ReplyDeleteI love our locally owned bookstore - it has soft music playing in the background, the store's displays catch my attention, and it is therapeutic to just relax and browse there. A shout out to Warwick's.
I was thinking that years ago many were upset about Walmart taking over and putting a lot of local stores out of business. There was a huge hulabaloo, talk shows, books written, etc. But, I never hear anything about how Amazon is doing the same thing but on a much larger scale. I never shop at Walmart but surprisingly I spend a lot buying from Amazon. Go figure.
Anon, do you live near Warwick’s? I shopped from their onsite “store” at Bouchercon last year, but don’t think I have been in the actual store in probably twenty years. I just don’t go into La Jolla very often. It was so much closer when I lived in PB in my twenties. Unfortunately, I don’t know of any other independent bookstores in SD (other than Mysterious Galaxy which is also not close). — Pat S
DeleteHi Pat, it's nice to "meet" a former local from PB/LJ. I live in La Jolla near PB and I go to Warwick's at least once a week. I just discovered an independent used book store in PB called Pennywise that is set up like a library. I think Rhys Bowen's granddaughter went to UCSD so she is familiar with the area as well.
DeleteSince I no longer drive, almost all non-food “grocery” shopping —paper towels, TP, cleaning products— Amazon. And since I have to consider the cost of Uber, much other shopping (like sheets and small furniture) from Target … the shipping is always less than Uber round trip… and no toting of packages. After working for Eddie Bauer for 10 years (1970s), clothes first by “mail Order” and then online. I would, as I discovered in pandemic isolation, go crazy without my weekly Trader Joe’s trip. Happy weekend all. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, my weekly trader Joe's trips were my pandemic salvation, too. Bless them for always being so kind and friendly.
DeleteWe have a Trader Joe’s within walking distance, and yet we never go. I don’t want to hijack the thread, but at some point when you all tell me what you get?
DeleteHank, Trader Joe's has the best frozen Mac 'n Cheese. I like the fact that TJ's is close by and small. I can zip in grab fresh veggies, frozen items and zip out. But lately I've heard (on the nightly news) that they've had problems with food recalls.
DeleteHank, happy to tell you what I get. Bottled water (live in one of those places with chemical tasting water) in these wonderful 8 oz bottles that fit in my pocket. Milk, yogurt, butter, and eggs at prices lower than the chain super markets. Fresh fruit, veggies, salads, bagels, oatmeal, frozen veggies. A long way of saying: just a regular grocery shopping. ;-) Elisabeth
DeleteAnd most important for my soul…cut flowers. Elisabeth
DeleteYes, produce, regular groceries. Fresh salmon. Cheeses. Lots of of TJ brand stuff. Wine. But stores are small, selection is limited, customer service is great. Oh, and flowers, every week except when my roses are all in bloom.
DeleteWe call in to the restaurant to order for pick up and then we go get it. We've never ordered through DoorDash or delivery services. I've read stories about people doing weird things like eating some of the food and poor food handling, etc.
ReplyDeleteThat's my favorite as well, Anon. During Covid, we did a lot more order and pick up to support local restaurants, and I've discovered I actually often prefer eating their food at my home!
DeleteFrom Celia: Well yes, I own up to Amazon. Many years ago I got a speeding ticket in CT. It was late at night and we were heading back to NY from a show in Boston. The ticket was for $200.-$300, and I felt it unfair. But when I worked out the value/ cost of my time fighting it, driving almost two hours to the CT court etc. I saw my time was better spent just accepting and paying which I did. And the moral? Yes I shop on line.
ReplyDeleteI don’t remember when. Signed on with Amazon but choosing to live in rural ME does present chalkenges. So from Az I have purchased a refrigerator, an electric wheelbarrow, a snow blower, a loo, and countless packets of Yorkshire Gold tea. Not to forget all the staples during the pandemic and a lot of which I still buy. Now I’m not evading germs as coping with age and infirmities. I bought the top I wore to my daughters wedding on line, and I shop at Eileen Fishers on line store for clothes on sale as well as Zappos for shoes as I have enormous feet - yes, size 12 - sigh. Groceries are a mixed bag of in store, markets, To Go and home delivery which only arrived in our area well after COVID was under control. Books are mainly Az, so sorry Jenn, as I find reading on my Kindle App easier. But I do love a bookstore so much and now I have greatly improved mobility I shall be able to browse again.
Celia, you have just made me go to Amazon and look up refrigerator, snow blower and other things that I never would have thought available through Amazon! I would never have considered looking. (Just in case you needed to know, Harrumper is now having a droning debate with himself as I am not listening, on the global economic effects of whether we should buy a fridge from Amazon or support Home Depot. Does anyone have a hanging rope?
DeleteMargo, unsolicited advice, Home Depot does the absolutely best delivery of appliances. Bought on line during the pandemic from Home Deport and Lowe’s… Home Depot always arrived when scheduled, with all the parts needed. Lowe’s not so much. I had forgotten the “joy” of having to buy during “supply chain” issues. Not sure if hanging rope available on line. Cheers. Elisabeth
DeleteCelia: those are large items! Amazon has certainly made life/shopping easier. I used to shop at Home Depot (which was a good experience) but it meant a bit of a drive back and forth, having additional charges for delivery, installation, coordination of other independent contractors. etc. I now use a locally owned appliance store. Their prices are competitive and the price includes delivery, installation, removal of old appliances. And they also service the appliances - they are just 5 min away.
DeleteCelia, perhaps because it was the pandemic, but my online orders with Home Depot required no trips to the store, no coordination of delivery (except to confirm I’d be home via messages w/ Home Depot) and no outside contractors Home Depot delivery did all installation. Probably because of the pandemic and having just moved here, I did not seek out any local dealers, or service providers. So glad you are back on line. Elisabeth
DeleteI needed a new refrigerator/freezer a few years ago and the combination I wanted was hard to find (I didn’t want the water dispenser which I wouldn’t use and takes up valuable freezer space). I called Home Depot and described what I wanted. The person on the phone was very helpful and found what I wanted. I did the whole transaction over the phone, it was delivered and the old one was also removed.
DeleteConsider the politics of those who own controlling interest in Home Depot. Their funding has stacked the Supreme Court and helped enable the crazy Republicans, who are disciples of Putin.
DeleteI think HD has changed ownership.
DeleteI will never go back from curbside pickup for groceries. I get a lot of things on Amazon....I really don't like shopping. Now that Amazon has try before you buy, I can even get the occasional clothing on Amazon.
ReplyDeleteI don't like shopping either, Anon, and the way I deal with that seems to be avoiding buying stuff until forced to! Not such a great strategy when it's something I really need, like that glucosamine. This conversation is making me rethink my online shopping for ordinary goods stance.
DeleteI don't want to use Amazon, or make Jeff Bezos any richer, so I only do it when I have to (if I can't seem to get the book or item any other way). My son uses it all the time. It is so convenient! I've never had groceries delivered. I live a quarter mile from a supermarket and walking there and back is part of my routine.During the pandemic, I would go at 6 am to avoid the crowds. I do order my Yorkshire Gold tea through Teadog and my supplements through Healthy Habits or Wise Woman Herbals.
ReplyDeleteI'm appalled by the idea of ordering several different sizes and then selecting the one to keep or sending them all back. It's not worth it to the companies to try and resell the garments so a lot of it ends up in the landfill. This just seems to be the opposite of a sustainable practice.
You are paying double for your supplements. The grocery chain oligopolies are much worse than Amazon.
DeleteActually, Healthy Habits is a website, not a grocery store conglomerate. Once I ordered from them and was notified there would be a delay. I ordered the same supplements from Amazon and the price was almost exactly the same. The Amazon order was also delayed, so they waived the shipping fee. I got the two orders within a few days of each other.
DeleteGillian, during the pandemic, when the whole family was living here again, we doi tons of online ordering from Target, which made me more comfortable than Amazon. The prices were good, I like their products, and they always offered the option to bundle deliveries, which made me feel better about the steady accumulation of cardboard boxes we were collecting at that time!
DeleteI only grocery shop in person. However, for everything else Amazon was always my go to. Then I gradually discovered that the Amazon prices, for some items, are higher than what I could spend locally for the same item. Even so, that might still be worth it if things were actually delivered to my door. With my long, steep driveway, delivery people just don't want to come up, especially in winter. So for smallish items they leave them in my mail box, which I'm pretty sure is illegal. Other things they just leave at the end of my driveway, which means then I have to schlep them up. Bad enough bringing cat litter home in my car but I draw the line carrying it up the driveway then up the stairs to the house. Of course I could drive the car down, pick the package up from the roadside and drive back up. To me that is a waste and an inefficient use of fuel.
ReplyDeleteSeveral years ago I ordered my Kitchen-Aid mixer from Amazon. I watched carefully for when it was dropped off, and since I had to go out anyway I drove down to pick it up on my way. But what was this? Two boxes were left. Two KA mixers both addressed to me. Checking, it was not my error, but theirs and they didn't even realize it! So I had to send the extra one back. (Several people I know said they would have just kept it and sold it.) I knew about when the UPS truck would be by so I was parked at the end of the driveway so the driver could just take it out of my car. Amazon, instead of thanking me, sent me a rather cold statement to the effect that I would not be receiving a refund since I never paid for it. They were correct, but still.
Back when I was working and ordering a lot more things than I do now, the UPS driver somehow figured out where I worked and then left my packages in my car. So I still had to carry them up to the house. I started locking my car, which is someone no one around here ever did back then.
What a nuisance when you get something you didn't order! I recently ordered a sale item from Duluth Trading (my go-to for my gardening work clothes), and got two packages the same day: the t-shirts I ordered, and a mystifying package of five packs of men's six XL medium blue underpants. No one I know wears such a thing, or that size, and since I didn't have an order number, what was I to do with them? Finally, I spent 35 minutes on the phone with a DT customer "service" person, while she tried to figure that out. And how was I awarded for this act of honesty? Nada. It would have been nice to have a $5 coupon for the use of my time, at least.
DeleteJudi, it is possible that some companies don't allow their drivers to drive into a private driveway. It really seems unfair that a person who needs something delivered to the door, can't get that. It surely is part of a shipping fee. Although it sounds like you manage to work around it, I would be frustrated.
DeleteWhen Kenai was alive, the guy who delivered the 40 lb bags of dog food and the heavy boxes of cans was the best guy ever!
And now I'm picturing a mystery story about a woman trying to figure out who is ordering all these suspicious items that are getting accidentally delivered to her door...
DeleteI avoid Amazon except for the occasional Kindle book or, as Jenn and Lucy said, for the rare item I can't get anywhere else. I refuse to pay an annual fee to get free shipping, and both Hugh and I don't want any of our money ending up in a Bezos pocket. Books are always from my local indy.
ReplyDeleteI do buy clothes online, especially with free returns, and certain items from Walmart (see free delivery), but groceries are all in person and as much as possible from local stores and farms.
Edith, I don't know about other parts of the country, but I do know we're lucky in New England to have access to so many great farmers markets and local growers of everything from meat to eggs to produce.
DeleteHate the stories I'm hearing about the warehouse workers at Amazon and Walmart--try not to shop at either unless there's no other way to get what I need. I make my rounds in a loop--groceries, drugstore, other groceries, pet food/litter. Clothing I order through certain websites, shoes--bleah! No good shops nearby, but ordering online a hassle because I really need to try on and if they don't fit, then off to the P.O. for returns.
ReplyDeleteWith everyone muttering about the trials of shopping for clothing online, Flora, I think there's a fortune waiting to be made for the first business that figures out how to reproduce the experience of trying something on at home! Yes, I know there are stores that send you a whole box, or different sizes, but that means you still have to go to the bother of shipping it back...
Deletewow! Am I the only person who NEVER orders from Amazon? I order books online from Book Passage, Poisoned Pen (for signed books by Jungle Reds), bookshop dot org and local indie bookshops.
ReplyDeleteOrder clothes from my favorite Department store and it is really easy to return anything that does not fit - the returns are free. Though these days I have bought very FEW new clothes. I am more likely to bring in clothes to be mended at the local dry cleaners. They seem to have stopped manufacturing my favorite styles.
And regarding groceries, I shop at the local Organic Grocery store during least crowded times of the day. And I stopped going to the farmer's market since the beginning of Covid.
Diana
Diana, I think you've hit on a key technique for those of us who do shop in person but who don't really enjoy it... figure out when the stores are emptiest and go then!
DeleteYes! Unfortunately, some people who do NOT wear masks Also do NOT socially distance at 6 feet. The fewer people there are, it is easier to socially distance. Because I am under age 65, I do not qualify for the new Covid Booster.
DeleteDiana
My shopping has changed and like you, I like a good buy. However, like you I plan a trip of “I’ve been everywhere” when I go to town usually once a month to purchase mostly fresh things – gas is $25/trip so not going for a liter of milk. Yes, lettuce will last us fresh for a month (put the romaine in the plastic sleeves the newspaper comes in – always fresh).
ReplyDeleteEverything else comes from Jeff. Harrumper says we are keeping him the style that he prefers, to which I reply he is keeping me in my style, and delivers to my door. I like my delivery guy – he knows me by name and we have a chuckle. There is the other bonus that it is often cheaper (cat food), and you can set up auto delivery (every 3 weeks – no thinking required). Strange things in a recipe – might be there and reasonably priced or else I assume it is one of the ingredients that you can leave out! Harrumper needs new t-shirts – visit Jeff’s fancy Boutique. However, for your glucosamine, I do find Walmart better priced.
Then there is the kitty litter – to my mind no one beats Costco brand in quality. We don’t have access to a store, but there is one near my daughter so if she is coming to visit, we order 4-6 boxes. I know there is a storage issue, but I prefer it for the better quality and those boxes are so practical.
For most other things, I just watch the flyers, and buy in bulk when the item comes on, and then just hope all the things I really need are on sale the day that I play “I’ve been everywhere”!
I'm a big fan of buying in bulk, Margo, because I'm lucky enough to have a lot of space in This Old House.
DeleteWe're finally getting our first Costco in Maine, too late to help me out when I could have benefited from getting fifteen pounds of ground beef for my family of five! Maybe my daughters and I can take advantage of the savings and physically split the purchases...
I have a mix and match approach to shopping. Groceries are bought in person; my husband is the chef and he likes to walk the aisles looking (touching and reading) items so we make a list and head to our local Giant once a week. I use Amazon for the pharmaceutical grade supplements we take; it’s so easy because Amazon brings up my previous orders and voila it’s in my virtual basket! We support local shops for birdseed, plants, etc. Also Lowe’s is our go to place for hardware. ~Emily Dame
ReplyDeleteEmily, I'm a fan of Lowe's for hardware and appliances as well. I don't know if it's just our local stores, but it's always so much easier for me to find an employee when I have questions or need help than it is in Home Depot.
DeleteLove-hate relationship with Amazon, complicated, as Jenn says.
ReplyDeleteI also detest Kindle, the device, because it doesn't--or didn't--allow users to read any format but their own. The Barnes & Noble Nook has almost from the start allowed epub and all other formats, including Kindle, on their devices. It may have been a poor marketing decision, but I appreciated the generosity to the user.
The pandemic changed my shopping habits immensely. I've always hated shopping, largely from having raised three daughters, with the necessity of taking them for new clothing and other necessities constantly. These days it's an exercise in frustration, since so many places are closed; where the heck do I go now to find curtains, for instance? Bed Bath & Beyond is gone, the department stores no longer carry them, and even Target has a pitifully poor selection. My basement project is coming to a completion, and it's been unnecessarily complicated because of this.
Steve has pretty much taken over all the grocery shopping except for the fresh produce and cheese that I like to buy from the local produce store. That is perfectly fine with me. Even during the pandemic we only bought groceries online once. Lucy, I ordered a case of Who Gives a Crap, and really like everything about but that horrid name!
Cattiness alert: Jeff Bezos and his fiancee were guests at the recent State Dinner at the White House. She literally looks like he ordered her from his own company, in the Plastic Woman department. I'm sure she's a lovely person, right?
Okay, I love "celebrity" gossip as much as the next person, Karen! I searched for her pictures, and she looks for all the world like someone used his first wife's image to make a Bratz doll.
DeleteDoesn't she? It's disturbing.
DeleteEver since the pandemic, Amazon has become my mainstay. Yes, you have to pay an annual membership fee, but it's worth it to me, and I can find almost anything there. It's so much easier ordering from Amazon than going to a bunch of stores and still not finding what I'm looking for.
ReplyDeleteI agree with many of you who say grocery shopping in person is a must. Even during the pandemic, I only did curbside pickup once or twice because especially for produce and meat, I have to pick it out myself.
I noticed recently that almost everything in my clothes closet is from Talbot's. That's because I know I fit into their clothes (mostly). I NEVER buy Talbot's clothes for full price, as it's so easy to wait for a 30% or 40% sale, to which I add my Classic Awards coupons and (this month) birthday discount. Just yesterday I got a $80 top for $25, which gives me a feeling of great accomplishment! Also, the nearest Talbot's is now 40 minutes away, so I have shopped in person only twice in the past 4 years. When I do, I appreciate being able to try on the clothes, but it's not worth the commute on a regular basis. However, I do miss frequent trips to the local (15 minutes) mall in the San Jose area, where I used to live. There aren't any nearby malls where I live now.
Other than that, I have never stopped going in person to Costco (ordering online from them costs more), Trader Joe's (occasionally), and Target. During the pandemic,I just put on my mask and went for it.
Margie, I shop in person at Talbot's as they have a store about 5 minutes from our house. It's so convenient. It's not my favorite clothing store (but it's a good second) but it is the only one left in our town and I HATE going to the shopping mall with a passion. I don't like shopping for clothes on line as it is a hassle to return.
DeleteTalbot's is also my mainstay, and for the same reasons. During the pandemic I could order my size, knowing everything would fit. I am worried that they will quit making the Curvy fit pants, though. They seem to have fewer and fewer styles in that category.
DeleteAdd me to the list of Talbot's fans. I wear a plus size, and one of the things I love is how they don't just "embiggen" their standard size clothing - the women's sizes have their own forms. Fits so well. My sister in law, who is under 5 feet, says the same thing about their petite line.
DeleteLike Jenn, I have a complicated relationship with Amazon: love/hate, so I use it sparingly, BUT -- on the love side: being able to order an urgently needed reading lamp for my mother that is delivered to her door within 18 hours. I live two provinces away from her, so could not possibly have achieved this feat any other way.
ReplyDeleteThat's a genuinely great aspect about Amazon and other reliable online shops, Amanda. A while after Spencer had moved into his rental house in southern Virginia, he said he wished he had some houseplants to make it more like home. I was able to order a few easy-care ones and have them delivered within two days.
DeleteNever done instacart or DoorDash or any of those things. Was alerted by a friend that although Door Dash says no delivery fee when she compared the menu prices of a local restaurant EVERY ITEM on Doordash was $5 higher.
ReplyDeleteTry to use Amazon very sparingly. Definitely do not pay any membership fees to them.
Oh, wow, that Amazon prime membership fee – – – that was amortized maybe the first month :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd returns are just so easy.
And it’s always so shocking to me that things arrive the next day. Like overnight.
I’m not sure how they even do that.
Yes, Hank, that fee is amortized so quickly…not only in the shipping charges not assessed but by what I save in Uber fees to take me shopping. Elisabeth
DeleteI agree, Hank. Amazon membership is completely worth it. It includes Prime, all shipping fees, and the kids can choose things for gifts that we just have delivered to them. I totally understand that some of my friends are resentful of this company which is everywhere doing everything and making money from it. But the convenience as I get older is hard to pass up.
DeleteI also understand that Amazon takes advantage of some authors and that does irk, but it has brought lots of those authors to me and I appreciate the reach it has given me.
I've noticed that even without Prime you can get free shipping. I found this out because I swap in and out of the membership at a whim.
DeleteI used to buy produce from CSA which is a delivery service. Local farmers box up items from their farms and deliver them to your front door. I used to do this years ago but didn't use up a lot of the stuff. Now I shop at our local farmer's market and buy organic produce from farms near by.
ReplyDeleteI order a number of things on Amazon because they’re not always available in the stores when I need them. I haven’t had luck with ordering clothing on line, so I’m stuck with needing to go clothing shopping in person.
ReplyDeleteI’m seriously considering having groceries delivered. I hate any kind of shopping, and I prefer to pick out my own produce, etc. I may give it a try, though.
DebRo
I have to preface this by saying I live in the twigs. Amazon is not overnight here - nor is it Saturday and Sunday - when we lived in Florida we had three Amazon delivery trucks show up at the door on the 4th of July. Not happening in rural Maine. Nor do we have Instacart, or Door Dash - or even Uber much less UberEats. Living this far in the tundra also means limited shopping options. Delivery services make a lot of sense.
ReplyDeleteThe pandemic introduced us to some delightful services that I still use - although I am still in mourning for the loss of Costco's Cold and Frozen service. We order some things from Amazon, but not too much. For the most part, they are more expensive than any other delivery service for everything except ebooks. I use Sam's, Walmart+, and Costco. Yes, all are fee services, but that's fine. I opted out of an annual Costco membership after the demise of Cold and Frozen. I'm more than willing to pay their modest non-member surcharge for the few items I order. Walmart+ is a new addition to the deliver my stuff, please, arsenal. I was thrilled to discover that the membership also includes Paramount +. Chewy takes care of the pets. All is good in the frozen north.
Amazon Prime Access for seniors with AARP is $6.99/mo as opposed to the regular rate of $14.99/mo.
ReplyDeleteWe order from Whole Foods because it is a long 20+ drive, while I go in person to the local grocery stores. Whole Foods is now owned (as I understand) by Amazon. Ugh! But it allows for food discounts and efficient delivery and I can get organic stuff I can't always get at our local grocery stores.
I did not know about the airport discount. Hmm.
DeleteAutocorrect again for the confusion. AARP (not airport) discount. Gee!
DeleteThe thing is, Amazon has EVERYTHING (or so it seems) and most of it can be on my doorstep within a day. I needed those name tent cards for a signing event I was in charge of. Couldn't find them at Staples. They were $40 at Office Max. But I could get them from Amazon for $17 within 24 hours. How do you pass that up?
ReplyDeleteSo yeah, there are things I go to Amazon for. The filters for the fridge at the Cottage (cheaper and easier to find). The filters for the revers-osmosis filter we have at home. Things I know are more expensive locally or just too doggone hard to find.
I do have subscriptions to Chewy for certain pet items. This way, I don't forget to call the vet before I run out.
I never did grocery or Target delivery. I'm back to going to the grocery store in person, but I will occasionally do a Target drive-up if I'm in a hurry - or I don't want to spend twice as much as I planned (easy to do at Target).
I do not buy books at Amazon unless I'm looking for something hard to find or that I know my local bricks-and-mortar stores won't have. Because Amazon has EVERYTHING.
I do not buy clothes online unless I have a track record with the company, so I know the sizes and what the material is like.
But my kids do a LOT of shopping online.
I tend to order books/movies from Amazon. Everything else, I get when I'm out shopping. I will order presents for people from Amazon as well. Makes Christmas shopping so much easier!
ReplyDeleteI might order more from them if I have Prime. But I refuse to get it on principle. (They used to treat non-prime members as 100th class citizens, and I am still carrying a grudge a decade later.)
I should say that I will order some of the items like you are talking about from Wal-Mart or Target. Which is where I would shop for them if I were buying them in person. And I used Wal-Mart's pick up service a couple of times when I was sick so I could get what I needed without having to go into the store. So nice!
DeleteI am loyal to Anthony's Produce and Valenti's Meat, local, family-owned, and generally wonderful. During COVID, both offered parking lot pickup, which was perfect. Costco provides much of whatever else I need, in a space free of latex balloons (common in many stores). I mostly use the library, but sometimes buy some Kindle books on special, or if the library doesn't have them, and yes, there are a few items I haven't found locally, and Am. had provided. My few favorite restaurants round out the shopping, as their typical servings allow for one or two encore meals. ;-) . . . and a H/T to thrift stores, not often, but when I stop, I usually find something unique.
ReplyDeleteI am a reviewer for Amazon. I is a by invitation only program where I select items I am interested in, and receive them free of charge and with free shipping. All I need do it write an honest review. Needless to say, this has opened our lives a bit on Nome Street. We have been able to purchase thank you gifts for the wonderful people that helped us last year. Also we are donating blankets to the Cancer Center. I can tell you what is 'hot' now or what is coming onto the market. Fun and erm
ReplyDeletewho needs boxes?
I mostly online shop these days, as there is almost anything I need or want at the click of a button. I even do most of my clothes shopping online, with a few exceptions. There is the occasional misfit, and I hate dealing with returning things. There are a couple off shops owned and operated by friends where I still shop, one is a gift shop, and I do love its owners so. I want it to survive and thrive. No bookstores here and only Barnes & Noble 45 minutes away. I would love to live where there's a wonderful local bookstore. There won't be any here. Amazon is my go-to online store for so much. I even have to order my cough drops from them now because I can't find Luden's Sugar-Free Cherry cough drops anywhere but on Amazon. I am an Etsy user, too. I like it for thematic items I'm looking for and for the artificial cemetery flowers for Kevin's place. I find RedBubble good for framed prints. My granddaughter is playing Mary Poppins in her school's Mary Poppins musical tonight and tomorrow, and each play she's in, I buy her a framed print of the character or theme of the play. A couple of those have been Morticia in The Addams Family Musical last year and the three items the witch (which she played) demanded be brought to her in Into the Woods. Oddly enough, grocery shopping is usually done on-hand. I think my husband actually enjoys going to the grocery. I go about once a month to get items I know he will have trouble finding or quirks of what I want.
ReplyDeleteI started shopping Amazon during Covid because there were tons of items, including organic food like cereal and oatmeal, that none of the grocery stores had in stock. That issue still remains and has resulted in having several items on automatic reorder. Three of our local supermarkets have all of their items on their website along with their special coupons. So, I can search out what I need. Sometimes I put in an order for pickup so that someone else has to find the item for me. Places like Target have better deals if you order online. Their book sale last week was buy two and get one for free plus if you spent at least $60 they gave you a $15 coupon. With free shipping, I bought nine books and did not need to hunt them down anywhere and use my gas and my time! I am totally paranoid about mall shopping given that the Southshore Plaza in Braintree, MA is the one closest to me and they have had gun battles there recently. I catalog shop certain clothing brands online like LL Bean and JohnnyWas. Otherwise, the only store where I shop for shoes and clothing is Frugal Fannies in Westwood, MA. They carry brands that Lord & Taylor used to stock. I feel safer staying away from strip malls too, given all of the nut jobs out there!
ReplyDeleteHaving heard horror stories about how Amazon treats employees, I would rather minimize using them, but I am forced into it on occasion. I have resisted paying the annual fee so far. Do I really need another streaming service? There are some odd things that I can't find locally (Cap du Bon Phare harissa paste, etc.), and I have a Kindle, so I do buy books to load on that. I fear that if I don't patronize my local stores that all the basic stuff will not be available. I am already having trouble finding the probiotics I like in the local pharmacy. I still feel that I spend way too much money with Amazon. And I seldom will order grocery items--only the marvelous Mrs Renfro jalapenos that are never in Stop and Shop and the special peanutbutter from New Zealand that I have become addicted to (Fixx and Fogg fire and smoke).
ReplyDeleteI have found that Stop and Shop may vary in what they carry because of the size of the store. One of their larger stores may have it. If you aren’t able to find what you need in one store you can ask them if they’re available at a different location.
DeleteI have also looked up manufacturers. They may offer a store locater on their website.
Trader Joe’s used to carry some probiotics, I don’t know whether they still do, if you have one nearby you can check with them. There, again, the size of the store may make a difference. They are usually helpful in checking availability.
I’m with Jenn. I also like to see things before I buy them. We shop locally whenever we can. I do have a Prime Membership but it’s mostly used for ebooks and streaming services. I like to try on clothes before I buy them so I never buy them online.
ReplyDeleteDuring the time when almost everything was shut down, I did some online browsing for places that shipped different foods. I did it more to see what was available rather than looking for necessary groceries. I wound up discovering products from all over the country, some of which I ordered and liked and have gone back to several times. These include Porto’s a California based Cuban bakery which has items that are shipped frozen and you bake them at home. They come packed with dry ice. I live in MA so the delivery has to travel across the country and the packages have always arrived still solidly frozen.
ReplyDeleteAnother place I have used several times is the Cajun Grocer, located in Louisiana, which carries a variety of Cajun and Creole products including spices and seasonings, fresh shellfish and other types of fish, alligator (which I’ve never tried), sauces and many other specialties. Sometimes, if you buy larger quantities of an item they offer discounts. They also ship with dry ice in an insulated container and have arrived in perfect condition.
Most places that offer perishable food will warn you that they might not send some of them in warm weather and the delivery may take more or less time depending upon the shipping location.
If you order online, you might be interested in trying some of these places just for something a little different.
Never ever used Instacart (they don’t work with my favorite grocery) and I refused to use them during COVID…just not comfortable with paying someone to assume my risk. Gave up on local stores…they never have anything in stock..if you want people to shop you need to have product! I use Amazon more than I want to but they have stuff I can’t find locally….but NEVER for books! I use the Amazon search function to find books, store them in my cart and then use that as a shopping list when I’m next in my favorite bookstore. Clothes: have 2-3 online stores (Orvis, LL Bean) that has stuff I like and the sizing is right…since I retired more than 20 years ago (!!!!!), I have only worn something other than jeans and nice tops once , for a wedding….and I have my one funeral ensemble so I’m good to go!
ReplyDeleteI try really hard to shop local. I hate to see our Main Street shops closing due to big box stores and Amazon. It can be a haul and hassle for me as I live in the country in Maine (winter… need I say more?), but I argue (with myself) that I’d rather support my neighbors’ businesses than give Bezos my hard-earned money… plus, I think it’s good for me (mentally/cognitively) to get out of the house (I work from home) and see people in person. Connecting with humans is something I have to push myself to do. But I only buy my books from bookstores (and ask them to order what they don’t carry). I cannot imagine a world without bookstores.
ReplyDelete