Lawrence "The Dreamer" Chen's Blog

Link: http://www.nohasslegroceries.com

Well, this weekend was the big Zimbra migration for K-State. And, figuring that I would be home nursing it along all weekend, I shot for this weekend as the next time I would give No Hassle Groceries a shot.

Even though I had time to go play radio guy for the Cycle CASA 2009 event. The Zimbra migration went quickly and was all done much sooner than planned.

I found that I had more time today than I had intended. Though it was kind of warm out, I decided to go do groceries at Dillons ... more or less as normal. But, when I got home, I decided that I was till going to give No Hassle Groceries a shot.

I had started a shopping cart, which I found the site still remembered. I refined it....removing stuff that I could get by with and focusing on ordering more of the things that I don't get because...they are a hassle, or impractical given my constraints.

And, then I fired the order off. There was no confirmation....and it said delivery time was 40 to 60 minutes...after 40 minutes nothing, after 60 minutes nothing. It was kind of annoying in that I was now putting other stuff off waiting for the delivery. But, it did eventually show up.

Now there were quite a few things that weren't available. Some got substitutions, and they were good. Others just weren't there (even though there was indication that there were alternatives available, just that different flavor wasn't an automatic substitution).

Which was kind of disappointing, because one of the main items that were out...was a couple tubs of ice cream. Something that is a hassle to buy, especially as it gets warmer and warmer...and not just because of space or weight.

I wondered how the items that weren't available would be adjusted on my payment. I paid with PayPal (the only option) and eventually a refund for the missing items was sent back to PayPal.

It is better than NetGrocer for getting the things that are a hassle to buy, in that it offers fresh, refrigerated and frozen items that I can't get this way. It has been a long time since I don't a stock up order from NetGrocer, and it will probably be an even longer time as hopefully this service grows.

It however isn't quite to the level that would replace doing regular groceries, and of course....I haven't done NetGrocer in a long time since I now have access to a grocery store. Though I still supplement some of the food purchases through other online channels. And, this one may be one of my new regular options.

Now to work up another shopping cart and see about trying again to get ice cream for home....