Home Grocery Delivery

[peekawho]

This may sound trivial, but it has helped me greatly during my recovery from surgery.  I still have pain, and it appears that I may have it for some time to come, so I'll continue with this simple way to decrease a little pain from my life.

I was not aware that many major grocery store chains offer home grocery delivery.  Since I can't depend on the flighty Mr Peek to help me post op, I checked it out.    For only a $7 delivery charge, I can go online to the grocery store website and order groceries, and even pick the time it will be delivered.  
Not that my groceries are THAT heavy, but the effort of going to the store, placing items in the deep cart, lifting them onto the checkout conveyer belt, and unloading them all (repeated trips to the trunk of the car and lifting the bags one by one)...its well worth it.  

So I feel stupid posting this, but it has been an absolute lifesaver for me.   I thought perhaps others might not be aware that this simple change is available in most major cities.

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I'm STILL struggling sciatica and muscle spasms in my back post op.   I'm discouraged beyond words.  

Thanks,
Peek

[JadedSweetheart]

Sandee, Sprint offers a locating service for cell phones with which you can keep track of employees who have the phones.  We use the one for families since our son has a phone called "Family Tracker".  I believe the one for businesses is called "Business Tracker".  My husband's last company used the Business Tracker to keep track of the feild techs, as well.
That might work as you could monitor their whereabouts but it's not completely accurate in, say, a shopping mall.  It will not tell you the exact store if the stores are small, etc.

I appreciate this post.  It's great to know there is some help for us when we are in too much pain or are too busy to get to the store.  I will probably end up using one of these services when the baby comes!  Thanks all!

[peekawho]

The cart is soooo useful!  Got one for $19 on Amazon.
I've used it a few times so far.  Particularly helpful taking my stuff to water therapy.  
Thanks for  recomending it!

[RunningMom]

This is a very good post and will help others be more aware of the options with grocerey shopping.  I'm very lucky to have my hubby do all of the shopping.  I know he doesn't like doing it, but he does it anyways after he gets off of work.  I live too far out for these services.  It's about 20-30 miles to the nearest grocerey store.  The one you found is not bad at all.  $7.00 is a extremely fair price.  That is about what it would cost us in gas to make a trip out to the store.

[AnnieBrooke]

Just looked it up, it's Wonder Wheeler.  I really recommend it, I used to have one of those stiff, folding metal wire ones and this is like jumping into the 21st Century by comparison.

[AnnieBrooke]

We got a cart called the Wonder Cart.  It's like the kind of folding cart my grandma used to roll home from the grocery store when I was a tot, but in modern idiom -- bigger tires, better folding, and the frame is strong but the body (that holds the contents) is not metal wire but soft nylon.  It even has a foldover top.  It's great.  We have used it at the beach (on the sand) and to drag a tent and sleeping bag over bumpy trails in the trees.  I got mine at Walgreen's, but if they don't carry them any longer, you might be able to find one by googling.  

[Tuckamore]

Hi Peek,

You are not bringing up a trivial issue. It is very important not only for chronic pain or acutely ill patients but for our elderly who often have problems obtaining needed supplies.

I am happy to say that in my rural area we are able pay a delivery service for groceries or other needed items. The fee depends on the distance from the participating businesses.

I am so sorry that you are struggling with your pain. I'm hoping as you heal your pain will improve. My heart goes out to you.

Take Care our Friend,
~Tuck

[runitskat]

I would so be someone personal shopper. But I couldn't handle all the driving and walking. As far as the monitoring goes you could install a GPS tracker in their car. You'd have to get their consent and you could only use it during work hours but a lot of companies that have employees that drive all day use them.

[peekawho]

Love the idea of the cart!  I'll go get one today.   THANKS!   I could use this for all sorts of other things, too.

[sandee1818]

I forgot to say that the lady who comes in to clean for me a few times a week also goes on errands for me. She does not mind as I usually fill her gas tank and give her a bonus. When she runs errands I pay her 25.00 more than usual and also fill her gas tank which is around 35.00.
It is worth it when I have alot to be done such as the dry cleaners grocery store, and target. If you have someone who comes in to help you clean ask her if she would mind doing errands. She will not mind most likely as she will be getting paid to just run errands.
I have thought about starting a personal shopper business many times. I have held back though because frankly it is so hard to find honest hard working people to hire!
With this kind of business it would be almost impossible to check on them and the mileage and so forth.
If anyone has any ideas on how to monitor someone working in a business like this I would be grateful.

[optimus22mac]

You should not feel stupid posting this great information peekawho!!! This is a wonderful idea that I'm sure has many people thinking..."wow that would make life easier!".  

Thanks so much for sharing! It is definitely a service that should be offered everywhere---I'm sure there would be no shortage of people lining up to take advantage of it!

[sandee1818]

I have looked into this in my area but they do not offer it yet either. It would be so helpful!
I am so glad that you have found some help peekahoo.
Wishing you a speedy recovery:)

[Jaybay]

My mother hired a personal shopper since the stores here no longer offer delivery.  There are several people that have set themselves up in business as personal errand runners.  The two that Mom used were true Godsends.  Mom would email her grocery list and anything else she needed, set up the delivery date and it was all quickly and efficiently done for about $30.  Pricing varied depending on time needed and mileage, and both of them used PayPal for secure payment.  

One of the ladies also included transportation for doctor visits if necessary, but that ran into some money since those trips could take quite a lot of time.  I also didn't feel right not being with Mom during appointments.  There was too much information and orders that she got messed up in her head.

There are lots of personal services available at decent prices.  Just Google "personal shopper" and your town and see what pops up.  Great topic Peek!

[JadedSweetheart]

Great ideas!  I may look into that.  Both the grocery delivery and the personal cart.  Anything helps.  
I was just telling someone in a PM about my agonizing trip to Wal-Mart last night.  I was with my husband, and he wanted me to stay in the car, but it's just so hard with him for him to get the exact thing I want.  He does try, though and he's wonderful.  When we got home he told me I had to sit down while he brought in all the groceries and put them away.  It was like being at a spa, lol.  
He told me I was almost painful to watch in Wal-Mart, so he didn't want me doing anything else.  That was really great.
I'm sorry you're feeling so awful, peekawho.  Pain is so draining on us and our lives.  Muscle spasms are particularly awful.  Do you take a muscle relaxer to help?  I really hope that you start to feel better soon!

[geminigirl1963]

I'm glad that you have a at least one way to simplify your life and make things a little less painful.  I'm sure can attest as to how every little bit helps.

I've checked into the home grocery delivery before with one of the chain stores in my area, however, at this time, the store right near me does not offer it.  They do, however, offer it in other parts of my state, so I'm hoping they will begin to do it closer to me soon.  I think it's a great idea and well worth that nominal delivery charge.  There are many days when just the thought of having to go to the store is more than I can handle, so being able to have what I need delivered to me would be great.

I have made other changes/adjustments that have helped to some degree also.  I purchased a small cart (usually they're called shopping/laundry carts) that folds up and I can put in my trunk to take to the store with me.  That way, when I come home, I simply load up the cart and wheel it into my place, which has greatly reduced those numerous trips out to the car.  Of course, these carts are not HUGE, so if you have a really large shopping tripl, you still may have to make more than one trip, but it's still definitely better than having to carry just one bag in at a time.  Depending on what is in the bags, I've found I can usually get between 6-10 bags into the cart at a time - and the edges/sides are great for slipping a 6-pack of soda over so you're not taking up room inside the cart for those.  If I remember correctly, my cart cost me apprxomately $30 and it has definitely paid for itself numerous times over already in theyear that I've had it.

I hope your pain gets better!

[peekawho]

*I forgot to add, the delivery person brings the groceries inside the house, so there are no trips to bring stuff in.  I can't tell you how much this has helped me.  I'll continue with this for as long as I need to*