My Experience with Kroger Delivery vs. Instacart: What I Learned

Last week, I decided to try something new and get my groceries delivered. It didn’t go as planned, but I definitely learned a few things along the way.

As a member of Kroger Boost (which I snagged for a great deal at $39), I usually get my groceries delivered to my door for free by the Kroger delivery truck. However, since I ordered late on Thursday for a Friday delivery, all the Kroger delivery slots were full. My only option was to have my groceries delivered via Instacart.

Here’s what I found out: depending on your area, you may have the option for fulfillment by Kroger Delivery, Instacart, or both. If your order is fulfilled by Kroger delivery, you won’t have to tip and you’ll get access to exclusive flash sales. On the other hand, if your order is fulfilled by Instacart, you’ll still get free delivery but you’ll need to leave a tip and won’t have access to flash sales.

Despite missing out on the flash sales, I decided to go with Instacart and paid the suggested $10 tip to have my order in hand by Friday. However, I was disappointed when many of the items I ordered were marked as “out of stock” and didn’t arrive. This was a stark contrast to my usual experience with the Kroger delivery truck.

So, my advice is to use the Kroger delivery service whenever possible and make sure to order early in the week to secure a delivery slot for Friday. And if you have a Kroger Boost membership and clip the 4x Fuel Points coupon, you can even earn 5x fuel points on your Friday delivery!

What We Ate for Dinner This Past Week:

Scrambled Eggs, Strawberries: Jesse and Silas were out, but Kaitlynn and I enjoyed a simple dinner.

Sausage/Potatoes/Sweet Potatoes: I experimented with a stove-top version that didn’t turn out as well as the slow cooker or oven method.

Fend For Yourself Night: With most of us out, it was a snacky dinner kind of night.

Chicken, Steamed Veggies, Tater Tots

Leftovers Marinated Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Homemade French Bread, Steamed Veggies: The homemade French bread recipe recommended by my sister was a hit!

Despite some hiccups with my Instacart order, I did snag some good deals on Tyson Chicken and cereal. Chicken breasts were on Buy One, Get One Free and deli meats were a steal at $3.49 per package. In the end, including tax and tip, my order totaled $118.27.

Overall, my delivery experience taught me the importance of planning ahead and sticking with the reliable Kroger delivery service for future orders.