Savvy Shopper: How to score bargains with online grocery shopping

Home delivery grocery shopping can save you time and money. Here are some top tips for getting more bang for your buck.

Home delivery grocery shopping is the best invention since the internet. Personally, using this marvellous service gives me two more hours of time to myself and I don’t have to lug the kids – who always want a treat or, even worse, to help! – to the shops.

But some people are still hesitant about using supermarket home deliveries and think that going to the supermarket and looking around gets them the best deal – and, as our weekly Form Guide attests, there are certainly plenty of them. But let’s look at both the pros and cons of supermarket home delivery so you can judge it for yourself – and a few little tricks to get the best out of it.

THE PROS

Some supermarket deals are online only

There are grocery store deals that are only available to those ordering online. And they are typically better than the specials offered to everyone.

Many of the online-only deals are bulk deals (eg buy two get one free) but, if the item on special is something you use regularly, stock up!

You can check out all the specials in once place

When you go to the supermarket, most of the specials are on the end of the aisles so you have to be looking for them. But online all the specials are in one place.

Price comparison is easy when you have it all in front of you.

No impulse buying

You know exactly what you have to buy before you hit “pay now” so you won’t be tempted by those delicious Snickers bars that the kids “must have for being good” at the checkout.

Compare from your couch

Not sure which supermarket is the cheapest? Go online! Price comparison is easy when you have it all in front of you and is particularly good for items like laundry detergent, which can get very expensive.

Save your shopping lists

One of the best features of online shopping is that you can save your regular shopping list – those items you buy every single time. So you could literally do all of your online grocery shopping in under five minutes flat. Think of the time that saves you.

Groceries to your door

I’m kind of pleased I don’t have to play the game ‘Let’s try to carry every grocery bag in one trip’. Items like big bags of pet food or bulky items such as toilet paper can be hard to wrangle with kids in tow – but with home delivery, it’s not your problem!

THE CONS

Limited delivery slots

Once you have chosen your groceries, you have a window of time to have them delivered and if a shop is particularly busy, that window might not be for a day or two. That’s not convenient if you need milk right now. But to get over that problem all supermarkets have a “Click and Collect” option, where you choose your groceries and then they message you when your shopping will be ready. Sure, you still have to go in, but you don’t have to actually shop.

Delivery costs

If you are only purchasing a couple of items, home delivery may be an expensive option. And most supermarkets only offer free delivery when you spend over a certain amount. For example, Woolworths has a $15 delivery fee if you spend under $100, and Coles costs $12-$18 if you spend under $200. These are costs you need to take into account.

Websites can seem overwhelming

For older people who don’t use technology regularly, the supermarket websites can seem overwhelming. But, like anything techy, if you throw yourself into it, you learn it pretty quickly – and the supermarket websites are pretty user-friendly as far as websites go.

THE VERDICT

I think supermarket home delivery is the way of the future. With the time­saving and convenient options supermarkets are offering, why wouldn’t you take advantage of this service?

Jody Allen is the founder of mothers’ network Stay At Home Mum. Find her at @StayHomeMum on Facebook, @jodyallen.stayathomemum on Instagram, @JodyAllen_SAHM on Twitter