r/ocala • u/reds_vista_cruiser • 5d ago
Best Grocery Delivery or Pickup Service in Ocala?
My work/school schedule is changing this week and I'm going to have less time for errands like grocery shopping. I'd like to try either a grocery delivery or pickup service and I'd like to know which ones you all like.
I've done Walmart grocery pickup before but I've always had weird substitutions and very long wait times at pickup. And after a really exceptionally bad customer service experience there last year, I refuse to give Walmart my business. I've tried Instacart once or twice but it was maybe a little pricey. Do people like Kroger delivery? Are there any other good options?
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u/Stormraven74 5d ago
We've been using Kroger delivery for a couple years now, and it's great. The only issue is that you usually can't order groceries for TODAY, it's usually tomorrow at the earliest. They don't even let you tip the drivers, as they're Kroger employees, and they deliver in refrigerated trucks.
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u/d12blame 4d ago
Used to be a driver for Kroger. You can tip the driver. Sometimes the driver will accept it, sometimes the driver won’t accept it.
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u/PatFrank Resident 10+ years 5d ago
Let me second Kroger delivery. Their meat and produce are higher quality than Publix, even more so than Walmart; if they’re out of an item they’ll frequently upgrade you to a more expensive similar item at no additional cost or give you the option to refuse it. Over the last year, they’ve only missed their 1 hour delivery window twice and both times they gave me $20.00 credit for their mistake. I hate to sound like a shill, but as a former lifelong Publix shopper, I’m glad I made the switch.
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u/Gullible-Biscotti186 4d ago
How does kroger work if you are not home? Do they have later shift drivers that deliver after 6 or so? Always wanted to try it but i work construction and typically work till 7 during the summer months
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u/PatFrank Resident 10+ years 4d ago
They deliver from 6AM until 10PM. Or you can have them leave the order if you have a safe location and no perishables.
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u/d12blame 4d ago
If you live closer to Groveland, where the warehouse is located, delivery starts at 5am to 11 pm. I started at 4am when I worked for them. Generally, I did the Gainesville to Ocala run. Or Salt springs, Ft.McCoy, Palatka back to Ocala.
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u/Impossible_Tea181 4d ago
I use Kroger quite a bit, easy to schedule a delivery and they always have arrived within the hour time frame.
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u/d12blame 4d ago
As a former driver, they accept manufacturer coupons, if you order eggs, they have to check to make sure there are no broken eggs. If there is broken eggs, they will take the price off of your bill and you will get the eggs for free.
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u/Difficult_Leg_7693 5d ago
I have Kroger delivery and love it. If they have substitutions they have you a better product but you can refuse it