grocery pick up

 I 've been trying the free pick up service at Kroger.  Partly to avoid COVID exposure and partly because it seems to take forever for me to get through the store.  

A lot of that is just because I take so much time looking at stuff but also...sloooow check out process, things not ringing up as marked or had been placed by the wrong shelf tag.

The self checkouts are okay if you only have a few things but the more items you have, the more likely you will run into a glitch and have to stand there forever waiting for an overworked attendant to come and push the magic buttons to straighten it out.

Some of the good things about picking up groceries - It's easy to compare brands, sizes and prices when you are selecting things online.

  

For instance, this time, I was buying three different spices. At the store I would have to look at each brand name and find them alphabetically to compare.

 Online, I quickly search "oregano", see what they offer and click the one I want.

The price is clear so there is no squatting and squinting trying to read a bar code on a tiny shelf tag.

For pick up, you only have notify them you are there (in your pre-chosen time slot) ,pop open your trunk and they'll put your order in your car. (In my case I had to get out to open the back door of the Jeep although I'm sure the attendant would have opened it if I'd asked).

They check with you to be sure you are okay with any substitutions they have had to make for out of stock items.  You can even use coupons if you have them.

At that time they charge the credit card you provided online - you don't have to take it out.

Then you're all set to drive away with your goods.

I like the paper bags. Not so easy to carry but good for other uses around the house.

Most times, all items in my order have been well chosen. I've ordered fresh fruit and veggies with no problems. I haven't bought much from the meat department other than pre-packaged ground beef and my frozen Thanksgiving turkey.

But this time, I got this... just what I figured I'd get by letting someone else pick out my groceries.

A dented can...a really dented can.  This can should have never even been on the store shelf. 

And the order picker had to have noticed how bad this is.  Is this what they would have chosen for their personal use?  Don't think so.

So, I had to spend some time on an online chat with Kroger to get my $1.25 refunded.

I'll probably continue to use the order pick up occasionally, but if I need meats or produce I'll go inside.