KEEP YOUR CHIN UP

In these troubled times, I have an upbeat story to share.

Having been the mother of 4 children, I knew how to plan in advance. So when I knew I would be stuck in my apartment, alone, self-quarantined at my age (86) and reluctant to go out, I had stocked up on lots of food, drugs, wine and etc. way in advance.

But as the weeks went on, and a few items began to dwindle (especially cat litter, which comes in huge boxes I can’t easily carry ) I didn’t know what I was going to do. I figured I would have to call my local grocery, see if they were still delivering, bundle up with scarf over nose/mouth, hood up, etc, go off to the store, shop, and then have items delivered. But here in NY at this moment, that’s not the most optimum solution for an old lady trying to stay healthy.

Then my son in PA mentioned that he had heard about Instacart.com, which delivers groceries.

So I went to their website. At some point I had to give my zip code, log in (used my email addy) and create a password. They showed me a list of grocery stores and I chose the one I usually shop at, since I know what brands they carry.

It’s very easy to order. They have categories and, when you click on one, they will tell you what they have in that category. (Forget paper goods and Lysol sprays at this point---couldn’t be found.)

Their website added up my purchases, gave me an estimate of price (delivery charges and tip are very low), took my credit card info, and that was that.

Then came the remarkable part. Within 15 or 20 minutes, I got a text from the company, giving me the name of a young woman who would be my “shopper.” She was already at work, finding my grocery items.

Not long after, I got a text from her, telling me that the item I had ordered was unavailable, so could she substitute the same item in another brand? I said yes. She answered Thanks! Within the next half hour, she texted me 7 or 8 times to tell me she was either substituting another brand if I agreed (which I always did) or that the item was totally unavailable and she was refunding me for that item. We even exchanged numerous Thanks and OK’s. I was delighted at how competent she was. (Hats off to you, Rohanie!)

Then I got texts from the company giving me a time frame for my delivery, and in no time, telling me the delivery was on its way! I had already asked that the delivery be left outside my apartment door.

The woman who had been shopping for me also turned out to be the delivery person. She had to make 2 trips back to her car to bring up all that I had ordered. As per my instructions, she left them outside my door, but I did speak to her from a distance, as she got off the elevator and thanked her for all her efforts! Also left her a large cash tip on the floor outside my door. Thought that the tip the company arranges was far too little for the effort she had put in. (Turned out that there was a place on their updated email that allowed me to add a credit card tip.)

I sprayed everything, of course, and dumped the bags that had held the groceries, then sprayed the groceries and let them stand for a few hours before I put them away. But I am still amazed at the company’s competence and efficiency. From logging on to the site, then ordering, to the delivery probably took about 3 hours.

In this day and age, with so many sites and companies putting you on hold because of the overflow of desperate people, it’s wonderful to find a company that operates with efficiency, competence and warmth.

I know that the Instacart employees are currently asking the company for more pay and insurance in order for them to continue their dangerous jobs, and I hope the Instacart executives are smart enough to know what a wonderful team they have.

Life Lesson? The more we can focus on the extra-special good qualities in people, especially if it's unexpected, and in spite of our current troubles, the more we can mentally make it through these difficult times. I have not had such a personal shopping experience in ages!

Please, everybody, do go to Instacart.com and check them out.