With today's technology it seems like we limit ourselves to everyday responsibilities by having someone or something complete the task for us as we take on other activities or responsibilities.  For example, we have the option of paying all of our bills online with just a few clicks on our mouse versus spending time writing and stamping an envelope, making a checking, and sending off the bill (whether it be from your home or post office).  If we have a research paper to write we spend less time gathering information from almanacs, biographies, and encyclopedias from a library.  We use a more convenient alternative, the Internet.  Which is a 24 hours 7 days service with options of quickly printing what we need.  Another way of "simplifying" our everyday responsibilities is shopping for groceries online.  No more having to find a parking spot, search aisle after aisle for a certain item, wait in long lines to pay, and unload your cart full of goods into your car.  Shopping for your groceries has never been easier, but is it hassle-free and cost effective?

A Wall Street Journal (WSJ) article, "Internet Grocers Can Help Avoid Supermarket, but Is It Worth the Price?" reviewed the cost associated with shopping online. Most grocery stores required a minimum order amount some start in the $40 range and shoppers usually had to order before a certain time to receive same day delivery. FreshDirect and Safeway specify a two-hour delivery window, and Peapod and others offer a discount if the shopper is willing to wait as much as four hours. 

Another side notes is making sure that the shopper is there when the delivery person is at the house if not there could be added charge for re-delivering. If the store cannot re-deliver there will be restocking fees of 100% of the value of perishable foods and 25% of the cost of packaged goods. 

If a shopper lives outside of the urban areas they must be prepared to incur high shipping fees.  For example a Colorado shopper who purchases $200 from NetGrocers will incur a $88.99 shipping fees. 

Another shopping option offered by Harris Teeter in the Southeast allows customers to shop online, but they pick up their groceries.  Amazon offers free shopping on non-perishables. 

So many options to choose from as there are pros and cons to each option. So, how will you shop next time?