Click and Collect

In preparation for the new job going to 5 days a week from February, I decided I needed to find ways to make more time in my schedule.  Since I haven't been able to convince The Hermit of the need to contract out the cooking and cleaning, I started looking for other ways.  I started with online shopping.

Now we've all done online shopping at one time or another.  OK maybe your great-aunt Mabel hasn't but that's only because she still has an AOL email address that she uses to send you chain letters about how Bill Gates will make you rich by forwarding emails to everyone you know and can't work out why great-uncle Abner visits all those website that start with 'xxx' but you have.  Shopped online that is, as well as keeping your uncle's secret (hello - have you seen Auntie Mabel?).  We've shopped for shoes, or books, or jewellery, or a last minute gift for someone or for ourselves.  I bought our new robotic pool cleaner online, saving several hundred dollars.  Online shopping is old hat.

But I took it a step further.  I decided to do my grocery shopping online.  I used to care for a patient who, at one point, was coming in daily for treatment and during her 3-4 hour stays would use some of that time to grocery shop.  It peaked my curiosity, and she raved about it.  I read that many people saved not only time but money by not impulse buying.  But would it really be as good as it promised?  Would they give me the dodgy bananas or the milk that's only a few days away from its use by date?  Would they check the eggs?  And I really didn't like the idea of a 2-3 hour delivery window; I hate waiting for that sort of thing.  However how could I write it off if I didn't try it.

I logged on to Coles Online and I discovered I could pick up my groceries at one of the stores that, while not my local Coles, is on my way home from work.  Squee!  Seriously, I got excited about that.  One, I didn't have to wait for the delivery truck and two, there was no charge for collection (unlike delivery which ranged from $5 to $13).  I decided to give it a go.

I had been warned ordering the first time could be a bit arduous.  Everything - from the milk to the bread to the ice cream - needed to be found either by searching the virtual aisles (all text, no photos) or typing your item.  The warning was not exaggerated - it took me over an hour to find my modest order of ~ 35 items.  I could either pay online with my credit card or via EFTPOS (debit card) when I collected it.  Another win since I don't like using my credit card unless I have to.  I could allow for substitutions of my items; for example if they were out of my brand of apple juice they would use another brand but charge me the lower price.  Score!  And collecting my order was easy as.  Pull up to the collection door, ring the buzzer and gave my name and a couple of minutes later they were loading my groceries into my car.

My second go was much easier.  I simply pulled up my "master list" and with a few clicks had ordered the majority what I needed inside of 15 minutes.  Oh yeah - I'm hooked.  I am spending less money by not only avoiding impulse buys but by being able to get up and look in the pantry to see if I really need another bottle of tomato sauce.  I'm still able to use my rewards card and I still get the fuel discount vouchers.

I have only one real complaint, having done this a few times now.  The sheer number of plastic bags used is beyond ridiculous.  Last week I bought dental floss - just one roll of floss - and it was the only item in its bag.  It was not the first time it occurred but so far it does win the award for Stupid Bag Packaging.  I would be willing to pay a deposit for 'x' number of totes that I could swap each week in order to save on plastic bag use.  However this is my only real complaint and I recycle the bags anyway so it's certainly not enough to put me off the experience.

Reclaim your time and save your money!  I strongly recommend giving online grocery shopping a go.