My Own Experience Using a Delivery App and How ChoreVoyant Differs
Recently, a respiratory virus has kept me sidelined at home. It is one of my pet peeves to be low on anything, but I noticed that the toothpaste was nearly out. Because Larry wasn't feeling well either, I decided to order what I needed from my favorite 'big box' store--where you can order groceries, personal care items, and just about anything else you can think of. Larry's symptoms weren't matching up to mine, so I assumed that he did not have the same virus I did. Of course, I then start to overthink things. This is where that delivery order starts to come unglued.
Oh, The Things We'll Need!
So, if Larry doesn't have what I have--he'll need his own thermometer. Into the cart it goes! If we're both not feeling well, we'll need easy-to-prepare things to eat. At that point, soup was about all I could imagine being able to eat; Larry, however, has some dietary restrictions that his doctor has asked him to follow, so I'm trying to bear this in mind as well. I order a few cans of soup that I knew I would be able to eat, and a few that were okay for Larry as well (more about those cans of soup later). My order is growing, with things that Larry will be able to eat while I'm too sick to cook anything and other items that I feel like we will need. Have you noticed that I have not yet included toothpaste in this list?
Processes and Procedures
I completed my order and was about to hit "Submit," when a prompt comes up regarding altering your substitution settings. Well, from the way this popped up on the screen, it appeared as if I could only alter for one product. Upon a second look--and a scroll further down the page, I was able to set substitutions for everything. Success! However, when I made one substitution, I realized the substitute was significantly cheaper than what I initially sought to purchase. I wanted to go back and change my order--but what pops up but a message telling me that if I navigate away, I will lose my preferences. Bear in mind, I'm still not feeling well at this point. Rather than re-type everything, I just figure I'll purchase the higher-priced item; if I was lucky, they'd be out of it and I'd get the cheaper substitution. Finally, I hit submit and receive the email that my order is underway.
The next morning, I see an email saying that I still have time to change my order. Well, I was hoping that I could make the cheaper-item-swap that I just described. No such luck! I could only add to the order. Now, because during the previous day I had made myself eggs to eat; it appeared we were low on eggs, so I added a dozen eggs. I send off the adjusted order, with a few minutes from their deadline for changes to spare. What do I realize after their deadline passed? I never ordered toothpaste!!! The item that started this order in the first place, I forgot about completely.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered--Sort of...
My delivery arrived later in the day, with the eggs on the bottom of the bag. Yikes! Thankfully, they weren't broken. The cans of soup, which were on top of the eggs (who packed this??), were short one variety. No substitution, just as if I had ordered 2 of this variety instead of 3. I was super-annoyed because this was supposed to be a dinner option for my husband who also wasn't feeling well. The store's policy was to offer a refund for the item--which was nice--but what would have been worth more to me in the moment, the two dollars or the extra can of soup? Not being able to get out and about, the extra can of soup was more helpful in the moment.
How ChoreVoyant Does All of This Differently
- We'll be in touch, in real time. The only time you need to give me your substitutions in advance is if you won't be available while I'm out shopping. If you're available, I am not shy about texting you pictures of items, ingredient lists, or anything else on which there could be a question.
- Add to your order, any time. Even if I have checked out, I can always go back in a get whatever it was you forgot about. If I need to turn around and return to the store while I'm en route to your house--so be it!
- No substitute? No problem! What if you want what you want--not a substitution? Bergen County has a variety of grocery stores, in addition to all of the big-box stores that usually have multiple locations as well. Have car, will travel--to one of those other locations to get you what you want!
- I've got my own bags. Are you drowning in re-useable bags? ChoreVoyant takes advantage of the 're-usable' aspect and does not saddle the client with a brand new bag to add to their collection. If you're okay with a bag that has held groceries previously, and are glad to see it leave with me--we've got you covered.
- We know how to bag groceries. This is part of our commitment to attention to detail. I will try to keep like items together. Because I don't want bags that will topple over at the first corner I turn, they will be packed in a way that will keep them upright. I know better than to pack the organic vegetables next to the can of Raid. Meats are always separate from other items.
Some Closing Thoughts
Hiring a personal concierge to handle your shopping is a totally different experience than using the delivery option from a store. Delivery options can be convenient, but not especially satisfying. There's always a concession to be made somewhere--whether it is a substitution, yet another re-useable bag, a mistake, or the delivery fee. If you're looking to get exactly what you would if you were doing the shopping yourself, then a personal concierge is the way to go. They will stay in touch with you during the shopping excursion, if you're available--asking questions, and getting clarification. If you were able to do your own shopping--you would! That's why there's ChoreVoyant. We're not delivering groceries; we're delivering satisfaction.
