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cbayer

(146,218 posts)
Sun Aug 12, 2012, 07:08 PM Aug 2012

Does anyone buy food or household products from Amazon?

Or another website?

A friend out here buys a lot of bulk food from Amazon, as it is difficult to get supplies where we are. He loves it.

I went to the site and the variety is amazing, but I would love to hear about other people's experience with doing this.

I already buy cheese from another site, as it is almost impossible to get here and I can't live without it.

Thanks in advance.

31 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Does anyone buy food or household products from Amazon? (Original Post) cbayer Aug 2012 OP
Good experience teach1st Aug 2012 #1
I do it all the time Mojorabbit Aug 2012 #2
What kinds of things do you buy? cbayer Aug 2012 #3
I buy Mojorabbit Aug 2012 #4
Broth - excellent. cbayer Aug 2012 #5
Have fun shopping! Mojorabbit Aug 2012 #7
I am having a terrible time with this because I have a really, really slow connection. cbayer Aug 2012 #8
Oh no! I hope it speeds up a bit. Mojorabbit Aug 2012 #9
Hehehe, just ordered a *boatload* of stuff! cbayer Aug 2012 #10
Just starting getting my shipment and got the Rubbermaid containers. cbayer Aug 2012 #21
Great! I love shopping online Mojorabbit Aug 2012 #22
It's great. cbayer Aug 2012 #23
I have prime Mojorabbit Aug 2012 #30
I can't do the subscribe and save because we move around throughout the year. cbayer Aug 2012 #31
dupe cbayer Aug 2012 #6
I do it all the time.. dixiegrrrrl Aug 2012 #11
igourmet.com and I highly recommend it. cbayer Aug 2012 #12
Ty, CB.....will check them out. dixiegrrrrl Aug 2012 #13
Yes, I would love that. cbayer Aug 2012 #14
No, but I've been looking at Wal-Mart online shopping Kaleva Aug 2012 #15
Amazon has pretty much the same deal - free shipping on orders over a certain amount. cbayer Aug 2012 #16
Shopping on line at Amazon or Wal-Mart will be the way I go from now on. Kaleva Aug 2012 #17
I've got similar issues about getting to the market. cbayer Aug 2012 #18
I want to thank you for starting this thread. Kaleva Aug 2012 #19
Most welcome, kaleva cbayer Aug 2012 #20
I too live in the middle of nowhere and it's BlueToTheBone Aug 2012 #24
I will check out soap.com. cbayer Aug 2012 #25
An elderly Friend (and DU Member) said he had a good experience there. Turbineguy Aug 2012 #26
You can save a lot on those items that allow you to subscribe for periodic shipments.. hlthe2b Aug 2012 #27
I get my favorite chewing gum there in bulk KeepItReal Aug 2012 #28
Lactose-free products. Graybeard Aug 2012 #29

teach1st

(5,966 posts)
1. Good experience
Sun Aug 12, 2012, 07:24 PM
Aug 2012

I'm not sure how energy efficient it is, but I've taken advantage of good deals on Triscuits in bulk (Amazon's price is way too high right now), coffee, nutritional yeast, and other dry food. The shipping is fast and free (if you have a PRIME account). I've never received anything I was dissatisfied with. That said, I've pretty much stopped because of the excessive packaging.

Mojorabbit

(16,020 posts)
2. I do it all the time
Mon Aug 13, 2012, 12:40 AM
Aug 2012

I belong to the prime program so get free shipping on a ton of things. I also do the subscribe and save on many items. Sometimes cans come dinged but on the whole I really like it.

Mojorabbit

(16,020 posts)
4. I buy
Tue Aug 14, 2012, 03:13 PM
Aug 2012

cases of chicken and beef broth, rye crackers I can't get nearby, wild caught tuna in cans, dried cherries 5lb box, whole grains in bulk, some nut oils eg pastichio, and more. I don't drive so hunting for a lot of things not easily available just does not happen when hubby takes me grocery shopping.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
5. Broth - excellent.
Tue Aug 14, 2012, 03:19 PM
Aug 2012

We also use a lot of cereal, rice milk, nuts, tea, sugar, rice, juice.

I'm going to take a closer look, as I think this may solve some problems for me.

Thanks for the info.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
8. I am having a terrible time with this because I have a really, really slow connection.
Wed Aug 15, 2012, 12:47 AM
Aug 2012

Each little page takes minutes because the site has so much stuff on it.

It is ruining my shopping experience, and I can't find an HTML option for just getting what I want.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
10. Hehehe, just ordered a *boatload* of stuff!
Sat Aug 18, 2012, 01:09 PM
Aug 2012

Ordered lots of bulky household supplies (paper towels, toilet tissue, cleaners), as well as foods we use frequently (cereal, rice milk, juice, sugar) and, of course, the produce containers.

Excited to see how this works out.

Thanks so much for all your help!

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
21. Just starting getting my shipment and got the Rubbermaid containers.
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 07:54 PM
Aug 2012

Put all my fresh produce in them and am going to be interested in how this goes.

They are really sturdy and I am very, very hopeful!

Thanks again.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
23. It's great.
Sun Aug 26, 2012, 02:52 PM
Aug 2012

So far we have gotten a case of juice, a case of rice milk, paper towels - all bulky or heavy items that it is such a relief to not have to tote from the town.

I think I am going to join prime to get the 2 day shipping for free, because much of my order is still waiting for shipment.

Mojorabbit

(16,020 posts)
30. I have prime
Mon Aug 27, 2012, 05:12 PM
Aug 2012

and it is worth it. Check the subscribe and save grocery section. You can save a lot doing it that way.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
31. I can't do the subscribe and save because we move around throughout the year.
Mon Aug 27, 2012, 05:59 PM
Aug 2012

So I have multiple shipping addresses that I use.

dixiegrrrrl

(60,011 posts)
11. I do it all the time..
Sun Aug 19, 2012, 11:47 AM
Aug 2012

We live 90 miles from a decent shopping area, plus our grocery tax is 9.5%.
Add the gas and the time to drive to the nearest city and back, it can get expensive.
So I shop online for a lot of things.
From Amazon I get my rice pastas ( allergic to wheat) and bulk coffee. Prompt delivery, good prices.
I also buy some clothes from Amazon, nothing expensive, just lightweight summer dresses.

Where do you buy cheese in bulk??????

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
12. igourmet.com and I highly recommend it.
Sun Aug 19, 2012, 12:09 PM
Aug 2012

For fairly low delivery prices, they will ship your order with ice packs and even though my mail delivery is typically at least one (and often two) days behind what most people would get, I have never had a problem.

Their cheeses have never disappointed me. I usually go to their sale page and just order whatever appeals to me. I recently got an amazing assortment including some really interesting US made cheeses, a camembert, a *fresh* cheese from Italy and an incredible herbed goat cheese.

Cheese is expensive, but I find their prices in line with stores on the mainland.

One last thing - I usually get together with my friends and put in an order for all of us. Saves on shipping and reduces any potential problem of someone's package getting waylaid.

I haven't bought anything else from them, but the site is full of interesting foods.

dixiegrrrrl

(60,011 posts)
13. Ty, CB.....will check them out.
Sun Aug 19, 2012, 12:24 PM
Aug 2012

Would you like for me to holler at ya if I find any other good foodie sites?
I always check sites out for compliants and problems before I order..

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
14. Yes, I would love that.
Sun Aug 19, 2012, 12:26 PM
Aug 2012

We have a lot of trouble getting to the little town that actually has a store, and I am looking for ways to get much of what I need through the mail.

That way, when we do get a ride, we can concentrate on meats and produce.

Thanks, dixiegrrrrl!

Kaleva

(37,988 posts)
15. No, but I've been looking at Wal-Mart online shopping
Mon Aug 20, 2012, 09:04 AM
Aug 2012

I know a number of DUers won't have anything to do with Wal-Mart but I can't afford to be noble.

There's a chain grocery store about a 1 1/2 mile from where I live and I've going there for getting a small number of items I needed on occasion. I can only carry so much with me on my scooter and one time did a bigger shopping trip but walked there and back. A task that laid me out for a couple of days. The prices there are also high and many people around here will make 90, 120, and even 160 mile round trips to do their main grocery shopping in other nearby towns (I live in the boonies where a store that's 45 miles away is considered "nearby&quot .

Much of what one can buy at a Wal-Mart store can be purchased on line from them and with orders of $45.00 or more on qualifying items, there's free shipping. Everything I looked at which I need or could use was qualified for free shipping.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
16. Amazon has pretty much the same deal - free shipping on orders over a certain amount.
Mon Aug 20, 2012, 09:13 AM
Aug 2012

I checked out the Target site and found it hard to navigate, plus it didn't seem to offer food at all.

I did not look a Wal-mart, as it would be my last choice.

But amazon was easy to navigate and the whole process went pretty smoothly. They listed, then subtracted a $125 shipping fee, which was over 50% of the entire order price (I ordered some really heavy stuff, like cases of fruit juice).

Now we shall see when and how it arrives.

Kaleva

(37,988 posts)
17. Shopping on line at Amazon or Wal-Mart will be the way I go from now on.
Mon Aug 20, 2012, 09:21 AM
Aug 2012

The perishables I'll continue to get at the local store but as I don't have a car, getting to the next town for cheaper prices on anything else isn't an option for me. Even when I did have a vehicle, which my ex has now, it cost about $16.00 in gas for the trip.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
18. I've got similar issues about getting to the market.
Mon Aug 20, 2012, 09:55 AM
Aug 2012

We have to wait until someone with a vehicle is going to make the trip, and that can be infrequent and very serendipitous.

It's a very rough ride over poorly maintained dirt roads and takes about 1 1/2 hours. It is also mountainous and the only vehicles around here are total junkers, so the fuel bill is generally high.

If I can get the bulk of what I need from Fed Ex, then just rely on getting fresh produce, meat and dairy from town, that would make a big difference.

Let me know how it works out for you.

Kaleva

(37,988 posts)
19. I want to thank you for starting this thread.
Mon Aug 20, 2012, 11:07 AM
Aug 2012

I knew a person could buy all kinds of things on line but didn't know that one could do their grocery shopping that way too. Not until I read your OP and later checked out the Amazon and Wal-Mart sites. Again, thanks!

BlueToTheBone

(3,747 posts)
24. I too live in the middle of nowhere and it's
Sun Aug 26, 2012, 08:36 PM
Aug 2012

a wonderful way to shop. You have to remember to check sizes and price but I'm happy. I also use Soap.com for lots of stuff too.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
25. I will check out soap.com.
Mon Aug 27, 2012, 09:51 AM
Aug 2012

I just bought the Amazon prime upgrade and magically the things they said were backordered are being shipped right away.

Couldn't be happier so far. Now I have to look into the movies and books that come with it.

Turbineguy

(38,285 posts)
26. An elderly Friend (and DU Member) said he had a good experience there.
Mon Aug 27, 2012, 09:54 AM
Aug 2012

and got all his food delivered (As well as pretty much everything else).

He started after calling me one day asking me to pick up some stuff from the drug store and delivering it to his apartment. It made me realize how difficult it might be. I found out there was a store near him and they probably would deliver. He took it from there and bought food from Amazon for several years.

hlthe2b

(106,042 posts)
27. You can save a lot on those items that allow you to subscribe for periodic shipments..
Mon Aug 27, 2012, 09:54 AM
Aug 2012

And though I live where one would think nearly all things would be available, I find some items impossible to find. Amazon frequently has them.

Paying the annual PREMIUM shipping service (that includes tons of free online video access as well), has paid for itself. I can get lots of these items within 48 hours.

I know Amazon has its pros and cons, but I admittedly love some of these options. (though I DO try to make sure to frequent local stores as much as possible, even when the cost is higher).

Graybeard

(6,996 posts)
29. Lactose-free products.
Mon Aug 27, 2012, 10:23 AM
Aug 2012

It's difficult to find lactose-free products in my local markets. Online at Amazon I have found Vegan Stores and other vendors that have a variety of lactose-free items. (Mac and Cheese, grated Parmesan and Romano, etc.)

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