8 Common Online Grocery Shopping Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
February 4, 2022
What are common online grocery shopping mistakes?
- Not making a grocery list
- Being afraid of imperfections
- Not allowing substitutions
- Not ordering the right size or weight
- Accidentally ordering in bulk
- Missing out on store deals
- Waiting until the last minute
- Forgetting to register an account
Online grocery stores are here to stay — they’ve grown exponentially in use ever since the start of the pandemic back in 2020. Though hundreds of people every day in Metro Manila rely on this service to keep their homes stocked, some are still making the same online grocery shopping mistakes.
Buying foods online is not the same as buying them in person. While there are many positives to buying online, there are some pitfalls you have to look out for before checking out.
Read on to discover the eight common online grocery shopping mistakes people make, and how to avoid them.
Not making a grocery list
Having a grocery list with you when you shop is always a best practice — whether you’re going in person, or buying your groceries online. The common misconception with online grocery shopping is that it’ll be easier to remember everything you need since you’re doing it right at home.
But, many people end up buying way more than they need, because we tend to scroll through all the pages and click “add to cart” to whatever catches our eye. Doing so is no different than going to the store with no list, and just buying what sounds good. Or, we end up buying too little, getting distracted by other things on the page.
So, plan out your meals for the week, check what house supplies you’re running low on, and make a list of what you need. Then, sit down at your desk and buy just like you would in person — following that list to a tee, no more and no less. To make things easier, you could use the online grocery store’s search function to source items from your list.
Being afraid of imperfections
One of the common issues people have with online grocery shopping is how food and produce would be picked. People think that the person who packs their order would pick the imperfect items. As a result, many shoppers will avoid buying many items online, such as produce or frozen fish.
But, the truth of the matter is that a good online grocery will never ship out imperfect, spoiled, or broken grocery items. Furthermore, their employees are trained to package and ship produce with extra care. So don’t be afraid to order fresh produce, frozen meat, canned goods, and other items from your online grocery.
Not allowing substitutions
Odds are that the online grocery store you decide to buy from won’t have the exact brands you normally buy from the store. Instead of forgoing these items entirely, consider making substitutions.
Certain brands and ingredients in our favorite foods and products are getting expensive, or are in short supply. So, when buying basics like bread, rice, dried pasta, or milk, consider opting for the store’s different brand versions. A majority of the time, they taste the same and contain the same ingredients, so the substitution will be easy.
Not ordering the right size or weight
When ordering groceries online, always double-check the size or weight of the items you’re ordering. It’s easy for beginners to fill up their cart without looking at the finer details, but it’s a surefire way to end up with the wrong size items all the time, which becomes a hassle.
You can avoid this by reading the description on the product page, and looking at the attached images. You can also send inquiries to your online grocery if you are still unsure of the size or weight of the item.
Accidentally ordering in bulk
Similar to the previous mistake, it’s common to overlook how many items are in your cart. Sometimes, you might accidentally click the “add to cart” button twice, or write “22” instead of “2” in the quantity field. It’s easy to make mistakes when it comes to quantity sizes, so make sure you review your cart thoroughly before proceeding to checkout. Luckily, it’ll take only a few moments to correct these mistakes with handy “delete,” “+,” and “-” widgets on your online ordering form.
Missing out on store deals
Just because you’re not shopping in person doesn’t mean you have to miss out on grocery deals and sales. There are plenty of similar offers online — you just have to check the website for any new deals they may be offering this week. You can also check if your favorite items have a “sale” or “discounted” tag on them. So if you’re planning on buying your groceries soon, make sure to check what’s on sale at your online grocery store.
Waiting until the last minute
Many people mistakenly think that because it’s done online, this service would be available 24/7. For most online grocery stores, this isn’t the case. Nowadays with online shopping becoming more popular, time slots for delivery become limited. This is especially true during certain times of the year, such as the days leading up to Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
If you want your groceries to arrive on time, then plan and make sure you can catch a slot. Always check when the first available pick-up or delivery time slot is, and if that works for your schedule. Ordering at least 2 to 3 days before you need your order is a good practice. This way, you get your food on time, and your order is still relatively fresh.
Forgetting to register an account
Most online grocery stores will offer the option of creating an account. While you can continue ordering from the same store without signing up, it’s one of the most common mistakes you can make.
With an account, you can store information such as your address, favorite items, payment details, and other relevant data. This makes the ordering and checkout process much quicker and easier for you.
In some cases, some online grocery stores will offer special loyalty rewards, discounts, and sales to their registered members. If you forgo signing up, you may just miss out on some great deals.
Key Takeaway
Buying home essentials and food online is a fairly new thing for many. While extremely beneficial, there are a few online grocery shopping mistakes that you can commit if you’re not used to them. So, use our guide while integrating this handy service into your life to avoid costly mistakes.
Don’t know where to do your groceries online? Try JustShop. We are a one-stop-shop for online grocery shopping in the Philippines that ensures high-quality products are delivered quickly and safely right to your doorstep. We carry everything from eco-friendly household products, to premium frozen seafood, to your favorite red wines. Click here to see our store!
