Originally Posted by MCOisHOME2ME
WOW! I didn't know anyone actually
used this service! I guess I've just got a "thing" about buying my own food (I'm also a once- or twice-a-week housekeeping kinda guy, you know, "don't be a touchin' my stuff a"). Do you:
- Just have them buy "easy" stuff: Cheerios, Quaker Oatmeal, Tombstone Original Pepperoni Pizza
- Give them a more "generic" list and just take whatever you get (Cereal, Pizza, Rolled Oats)
- Give a *very* specific list and let them buy almost everything (La Creme strawberry yogurt in the 4 pack of 4 oz. containers, 1/2 gallon of 2% milk with an expiration date at least 10 days from today, etc)
I never really considered using this because I always figured I wouldn't get what I wanted. Do they usually do a pretty decent job (I'd imagine it may vary from property to property) or do you just have to kind of understand that you are necessarily going to get the same products / brands / quality that you would've gotten if you did it yourself?
Also, do you give the shopper a tip?
I have personally had very good luck and service with it. From your list, I'd say #1 with a very occasional, specific exception. That is, 1 lb. hamburger, hamburger buns, can of HEINZ sloppy joe sauce...Manwich if Heinz not avail, PEPSI, Coke if not available.
And yes, I tip. I usually put $5 in an envelope and leave it at the front desk. This is because I don't know how many hands the shopping ist passes thru before the shopper gets it, and of course, the groceries are delivered before I get in from the work site, so I've never actually seen the person who does the shopping.
DB: Thank you for a very interesting bit of history. I really enjoyed reading it!