Are Online Grocery Services Really Cheaper Than the Real Thing?

It seems like everyone is turning to the Internet for just about everything these days. There's a reason for that! When you have this huge global network of resources at your fingertips that can point you toward just about anything and save you money on absolutely everything it's very, very hard to remember why going to the library or your local hobby shop to pick something up sounded like a good idea in the first place. Ordering online isn't always the answer to your budgeting prayers, hwoev er. Sometimes you're going to pay more for convenience, which is what people are finding over and over again when they go grocery shopping online.

Surprised? Why would you be? Online grocery services have been around for centuries! All right, so maybe they didn't have the Internet to help them place their orders, but people could and did contact their local grocer to have their groceries delivered straight to their door! Now businesses like NetGrocer.com are taking that idea and running with it

Shopping online for groceries is certainly appealing. Who really wants to go to the grocery store when it's five o'clock and you've still got to cook dinner? How much easier would it be to place an order once a week and let the grocery store van deliver it right to your front stoop? Hey, restaurants have been doing it for years. Why not you?

Here's the catch: You're going to pay for that convenience. Yes, you might be able to get your groceries a little cheaper, and you'll be able to buy in bulk without having to pay for a Costco membership, but I have 2 words for you-shipping and handling. You have to pay to have those groceries delivered to your front doorstep, and that's probably going to eat into any savings you may have enjoyed otherwise.

Don't get me wrong. Online grocery services are a great idea, and there will probably come a day when they are more cost effective than the average supermarket courtesy of their supply chain. Until then, however, you're going to get what you pay for. If your budget is already stretched to the limit you might find that extra bit of tug is just a bit more than your budget can bear.