New Markets

I just finished reading Why We Buy and The Call of the Mall, by Paco Underhill. Very interesting, and they should be mandatory reading for all twenty year olds. The books confirm that husbands HATE shopping, because that's how they're wired. (It's a relief to know it's not just my DH.) Unless it's some techy wonder, they just aren't going to have any fun.

Underhill also pointed out that men like technology for its "gee whiz" effect; women like technology applications. (This goes a long way to explain why men buy all those damned kitchen gadgets, and I, for one, silently roll my eyes at more clutter on the counter.) I think it should be interesting to see how well companies develop websites for e-commerce. Men writing programs for women shoppers. (Not to say all techies are men, or all shoppers are women, but you know....)

I had a chance to test a shopping website last night. During a phone call with my dad, who no longer drives, he mentioned he hoped Georgie would offer to take him to the store. (Georgie got my pretty blue messed-up Swallowtail for Christmas.) Which really means the man has no damned food in the house. I thought about that a little. My brother got home from a ski trip the night before, and carted my dad (his petsitter) all the way across greater Phoenix in the middle of the night and didn't check to see if he needed any freakin' bread. What an ass.

I'd used Albertson's grocery website before, but they discontinued the service. Off to Safeway's website I went....after a short consult with Dad, I found he needed bread, six oranges, soup, milk, waffles...so I ordered

1 Lucerne Supreme Fatfree Skim Milk - Half Gallon $1.69
2 Safeway Lucerne Light Mixed Berry Yogurt - 8 Oz $1.20
1 Tyson Beef Pot Roast - 17 Oz $6.99
1 Gortons Fish Portions Valu Pack - 24.5 Oz $3.99
2 Gortons Fillet Lemon Butter - 7.6 Oz $5.00
2 Miltons Healthy Whole Grain With Honey Bread - 24 Oz $5.00
1 Smucker Simply Fruit Strawberry Seedless - 10 Oz $2.50
1 Smuckers Simply Fruit Apricot - 10 Oz $2.50
1 Angel Soft White 2 Ply Bath Tissue - 4 Roll $1.49
4 Bananas - Bulk $1.00
1 California Clementine Prepacked - 5 Lb $3.99
2 Sweet Potatoes - Bulk $3.38
1 Fresh Express Spinach And Carrots Prepacked - 9 Oz $1.00
1 Nabisco Premium Multigrain Crackers - 16.5 Oz $2.00
4 Progresso Ready To Serve Split Pea Soup - 19 Oz $6.00
4 Progresso Reduced Sodium Garden Vegetable Soup - 18.5 Oz $6.00
4 Progresso Rich And Hearty Beef Pot Roast With Country Vegetables Soup - 18.5 Oz $6.00
2 General Mills Cheerios Cereal - 15 Oz $4.00
1 Kelloggs Eggo Blueberry Waffles - 12.3 Oz $2.00
1 Kelloggs Eggo Nutri-Grain Whole Wheat Waffles - 12.3 Oz $2.89

Notice the absence of junk-blueberry waffles and yogurt don't really count as junk food to me, but they serve as a treat for Dad, because he's diabetic. I added the sweet potatoes because they are good for any meal, and help satisfy a sweet tooth. The way I see it, it's about a week's worth of groceries for a senior, with leftovers. A little heavy on salt, a little low on fruits and veggies, but he really feels like shit when he doesn't eat regularly. And then he doesn't eat because he feels like shit. It's a scary spiral.

Dad also needed a prescription refilled. That was a bit of a pain in the ass-the site doesn't actually offer Rx delivery until after the order is finalized. Which sucks for first time users, but I have it down now. He'll get his order tomorrow evening, with his 'script. I don't actually LIKE grocery shopping on-line, but when faced with a choice of on-line groceries or a malnourished parent, I'll take the shopping.

I'm anxious to see how they'll improve this process.