Deliver Me

The other day I heard a knock on the door. I opened it to a box on the mat and a UPS delivery person standing a decent distance away. This was my wine delivery! I asked if I had to sign something and she said no, she just had to see who answered the door, who picked up the package. I gratefully thanked her and took the box inside.

A few hours later there was another knock. This time it was an Amazon Fresh delivery of many foods as well as toothpaste. The delivery person had already left, as usual, but I called out "thank you!" in case he or she was still nearby. I scooped these bags up and put the food away.  I had a warm feeling inside. I love these deliveries. 

The delivery and pick-up options vary a lot. When I ordered a sheet set to pick up from Target I had to go inside the store. But there are ways to order it to be delivered to your car, and of course there are home deliveries. In Costco as well as many other stores, independent companies like InstaCart do the job. This is like Uber or Lyft: the InstaCart employee goes into the store to make the purchases and brings them to your home. I feel that the upcharges and the limitations on safety precautions make this option less desirable, but InstaCart also has a curbside delivery option. At Sprouts grocery store, Sprouts employees gather the groceries and bring them to your car. They use InstaCart software but not persons. 

Smiths grocery has two curbside pickup plans: one for prescriptions, the other for the rest of the store. When I order from them I do not know how many of the items I order I will actually receive until about an hour before the pickup time, which is often three or four days away. I have used this option three times so far because I can choose from the full store and prices are good, but not knowing what is available and having to wait several days has made me less excited about it.  For the most part, I now use Amazon Fresh. I know that Amazon is not in favor right now, but it looks like there have been improvements in employee safety and pay there - let's hope that continues. This option also has fewer options to choose from. And of course the prices are a bit high. But not seriously offputting, at least not to me. I am used to going to WinCo, where prices are amazing (and employees own the store) but that is not an option now. I am willing to pay the higher prices for the safety and convenience.

A few times I have indulged in delivery of restaurant food. It has been nice to have a meal fully prepared come to my house. I even ordered Starbucks once. These services tend to be very expensive, however, compared to a drive-through cost. Still, it's nice that once in a while, and, like now, when I am struggling with back pain and don't want to move. 

I'll be in the living room, eating my delivered dinner...