We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
Used Instacart a couple times in 2022 for my elderly mother in the Pittsburgh area when her grocery store quit home delivery. They messed up one order so badly I quit using them.
Ditto Rural Counsel, and if they did, they would have to bring my food 35-45 miles.
re Tip Well:
When we eat out, we always tip at least 20%. Discussions with food servers and management reveal that people in southwestern Nebraska are poor tippers. A lot of people feel 10% is okay with a few doing 15%, but a lot of people don't tip at all. One place even posted a notice that on all tabs over $150 a 15% gratuity would be assessed. Apparently It is not unusual for them to have parties of 8 or more sit down and eat and not tip.
But one of the best things you can do is be understanding with the help. On busy nights I have watched them run their tails off. When they come to bring us menus they apologize for being late and then when we tell them we can see how busy they are and we understand, they are visibly relieved. Apparently they take abuse from customers for things over which they have no control and that's uncalled for.
I would really love to use InstaCart but I live 35 minutes away from the supermarket. I don't know if they will deliver out here in the woods and I can't find anybody to ask.
Personally, I like to go to an actual market and pick the best vegetables and check out what is on sale, BOGOs and so on. These delivery services cannot and do not do that.
Walmart delivery, hands down. Cheerios are cheerios. And at 2 bucks a box less than publix. 5 items pays the monthly fee. Tipping not required. 40.00 more a year and they will put the groceries in your fridge and pick up returns at the door. Mutilple other perks included like Paramount plus. I paid 48.00 for the year. It's 99 after the first year introductory price but just hit the cancel button and you'll get the same offer. 10 cents off gas also.
Until they control the monopoly it's gonna stay awesome!
Instacart, WalMart pickup/delivery, and Shipt are worth it for me and I've been using them since 2018 because I cannot walk far enough to go into the stores to do my own shopping.
Doordash is seldom worth it though I use it occasionally for a few favorite restaurants when the delivery fee is less than a $1. There's still the tip and service fees added on.
I've never used either. I'm with Tallywhagger. Convenience is often over-valued.
My wife uses Walmart or Aldi pick-up; no fee for that. I prefer to go shopping rather than have someone else do it. These days it seems like more delivery shoppers than real ones in Walmart.