HomeGrocer2

[INeedAVacation]

So, as I said before, I'm fascinated with the business model of ordering groceries at home and having them delivered. It would be difficult to pinpoint exactly what about the service which has held my interest for so long.

Anyway, I'm pretty certain I know who owns the rights to HomeGrocer. A quick look at the two websites is pretty telling, I think. If anyone lives in their delivery area (yes, the business which I think owns HomeGrocer is currently in operation and has been since 2002) I would be interested in hearing about your experience with their service. (The prices seem a little high than my local Stater Brothers).

www.yummy.com
www.homegrocer.com

[kimchicowboy]

i used to work for a company that developed websites for mom&pop grocery stores where their customers could order online. needless to say, the company went down. down. doooown.

[BrewMaster]

when homegrocer was in business in the LA area we used to order from them all the time in the dorms. their problem (which was a great thing for us) was that they gave away too much in the form of coupons. we would order online and have coupons for $25 or $35 off a $50 order or better with free delivery. their prices were normal so they were giving away their margins. i think through all of our orders between me and my roommate we paid around $100 or $150 for over $250 worth of groceries. i know they were trying to get recognized but we got those orders of the course of 2 months. promotions are one thing, but they gave their company away. the delivery service was great and one time the driver even let us keep the big green plastic bin which I still have since it is great for storage. it's a good idea, but I don't know if it will ever really take off. i don't people are that lazy or that busy that they can't buy food for themselves. sometimes it is nice, but they wouldn't have regular customers as my local Vons does.

[INeedAVacation]

Yeah, I know what you're saying about the promos they offered; I took full advantage of them too (I never got a free green bin though :neartears ).
I'm there are a wide variety of reasons why people would use this service, and some may use it because they are lazy. But, one could really say that about just about anything; Why do people drive to the video store when they could just walk? Is it because they are lazy? Why do people write emails instead of a hand-written paper letter? Is this also because they are lazy? Why do people turn up the heat in their houses when they could just run around in circles until they warm up? Is this because they are lazy? Why do some people take their cars to the car wash instead of washing their cars themselves? Is this because they are lazy?
See, I think that, although there are some who do those things because they are 'lazy' there are a lot more who do them because those things are more convenient and the take advantage of the services available.
Yummy apparently delivers grocery items (alcohol too) in about 30 minutes. That's pretty darn convenient and a service which, to me, seems like it could come in pretty handy. I'm not too impressed with their prices however, but, they do need to make money.

[donnar]

I would love to do this I hate taking 3 kiddo;s to the grocery store, but their prices can not compete with my commissary

[INeedAVacation]

Yeah, I know what your saying; I have a 4 year old and an 8 month old. When we go together, it is quite an experience. It seems manageable until they seem to reach their "max". HomeGrocer really had decent prices which turned into outstanding deals when they had the $15, $20, etc. off offers and free delivery. I think they could compete with regular grocery stores prices but I'm pretty sure they couldn't compete with the commissary, not many regular grocery stores could either I'd bet.