Bargain Quest

(Found out about this through BradsDeals) —- Amazon.com has opened a grocery section. Currently, you can take $10 off your grocery order of $49 or more with code GROCERY2, as well as the usual free shipping on over $25.

I can’t help thinking of the multiple grocery websites that started in the dot com boom and subsequently bit the dust, but one has to assume an established site like Amazon has done the research and decided this is a feasible concept. I’m sure one aspect which helps the bottom line is that Amazon is only selling groceries in bulk, much like a Costco. Some big names like Kraft and General Mills are on board, but a large number of the brands are names I don’t recognize and many appear to be “organic” or some other form of “healthy” food. If you’re a big consumer of less-common natural foods, especially packaged in individual servings, this could be a goldmine for you.

I’m reserving judgment as to whether this is a service I’ll use. Within a brand or type of food, there are definitely more choices than at Costco. However, I’m faced with the same quantity dilemma: Will the 2 of us be able to adequately store and use 6 boxes of cereal at a time? Some of the non-perishable household items might be an option. Also, a quick scan of some of the prices leaves me uncertain whether the cost per unit is significantly less than at Kroger. I’ll have to compare and report back after my next trip to the store. Including the $10 off, a first order may be in order.