We may be able to skip the movies, stop getting together for drinks, stop going to the gym, but we have to eat. We will always need grocery stores.
There are several different ways to get groceries without going into a store.
If you choose delivery, the delivery person should leave the bags at your front door, with no personal contact. If you tip, you can do it through the app or website.
In addition, some grocery stores are offering pick-up service, where you order online and pick up the groceries at the store. Make sure to open your own car door and trunk.
Please note: We got all the below information from the websites for each service or store. However, there is sometimes conflicting information even on one website. So, please understand if the terms aren’t exactly as we describe below!
You might also be interested in:
- Subscribing to Charlotte on the Cheap's email list
- 18 best day trips from Charlotte
- Best skyline views in Charlotte for photos
- Best food and drink deals in Charlotte
- 50+ walks and hikes in and near Charlotte
- Free and cheap things to do this week
- Charlotte art museums, galleries and events
- Charlotte on the Cheap events calendar
- Charlotte area farmers markets
InstaCart
How to order: Instacart website, or app
Membership Fee: $99/year for InstaCart Express (look for a 14-day free trial)
Delivery/shopper fee: No delivery fee for InstaCart Express members. Delivery fee varies for those who are not InstaCart Express members.
Should you tip: There’s a default tip of 5%, but you can adjust that up to 3 days after an order is delivered. Tips are not required. They go directly to your shopper.
Time Frame of delivery: a 1 to 2 hour window
Choices for stores: Publix, Aldi, Food Lion, Sprouts, Total Wine & More, Costco, CVS, Sam’s Club, Petco, BJ’s, Lowes Foods
Minimum purchase: $35
Product markup/Service Fee: Yes. There’s a service fee of 5% (or $2 minimum) that applies to non-alcohol items, for non-Express members. There’s a higher percentage fee for alcohol. InstaCart Express members also pay a service fee, but it’s lower.
Same day delivery: Yes
Notes: If you use more than one store, there’s a delivery fee per store.
Shipt
How to order: Shipt website, or app
Membership Fee: $99/year or $14/month
Delivery/shopper fee: No delivery fee for orders over $35. There’s a $7 delivery fee on smaller orders.
Should you tip: Optional.
Time Frame of delivery: a 1 hour window
Choices for stores: Bi-Lo, Costco, CVS, Harris Teeter, Harveys Supermarket, LIDL, Lowes Foods, The New York Butcher Shoppe, Office Depot/Office Max, Petco, Public, Sur la Table, Target
Minimum purchase: None, but there’s a charge for purchases under $35.
Product markup/Service Fee: Yes. You can expect to pay approximately 14% more than the prices in the store. The price you see in the Shipt app or website is what you pay.
Same day delivery: Yes
WalMart Grocery App
How to order: Walmart grocery website or app
Membership Fee: Membership available for $12.95/month or $98/year, with a free 15-day trial. Delivery is free with membership.
Delivery/shopper fee: Flat fee of $9.95, unless you’re a member.
Should you tip: WalMart store associates do not accept tips, but you can leave a tip through the website or app for third party delivery drivers.
Time Frame of delivery: Choose when you order
Choices for stores: WalMart
Minimum purchase: $30
Product markup/Service Fee: No.
Same day delivery: Yes, but might not be available.
Notes: Store pick-up is also available.
Harris Teeter Express
How to order: Harris Teeter website or app
Membership Fee: Membership is not required, but if you get a membership, the $4.95 shopping fee is waived. Membership costs $16.95/month or $99.95/year.
Delivery/shopper fee: Shopping fee: $4.95. Also, same day delivery is $9.95 on orders over $50 and $11.95 on orders under $50..
Should you tip: No
Time Frame of delivery: Choose when you order
Choices for stores: Harris Teeter
Minimum purchase: None
Product markup/Service Fee: No.
Same day delivery: Yes, but might not be available.
Notes: Store pick-up is also available.
Subscribe to Charlotte on the Cheap
Charlotte on the Cheap is a member of 
Shacarra Almon says
Food lion to go is an option not listed and food lion is a huge provider to the Carolinas .
Adrienne says
Food lion to go is provided through Instacart which is listed above.
JC says
Wrong, Adrienne. Food Lion To-Go is it’s own app interface separate from Instacart like Harris Teeters. Instacart just overlaps.
Tammy Turner says
After two ankle surgeries, I used Instacart for a very long time. I was satisfied until I started getting many fake pics of delivery drivers. Somebody else was clearly working for them who couldn’t pass a security clearance. While I believe in second chances, if you deliver to me under different pics and names and you have the teardrop face tattoos, I start becoming scared. Even after complaining to Instacart, it continued.
Carolyn Garner says
Yes I canceled Instacart is sending people who are not signed up with them to your door. I complained and have not heard from them in two weeks.