[Wilfrid1]

Other than this price comparison by Lippy, we don't seem to have a thread on Fresh Direct. I am sure some of you must be using it.

It arrived in our neighborhood more or less recently, along with attractive discounts on first and second orders, so I had to try it. First impressions: good web-site, impressive stock, efficient service, nice packages. The prices are reasonable; I could probably beat some of them by a hair at local supermarkets, but with an attendant quality risk.

I can at least see using this service for the weekly, predictable groceries. Anyone has bad experiences?

[Steven Dilley]

They often forget an item or two, and I've had a couple of items delivered post expiration date, but it's a pretty convenient service. Esp for heavy stuff.

Unfortunately, if they leave out an item you need for that night's dinner, you're SOL. They'll credit your account but don't expect a replacement.

[Liza]

Out here in the burbs, with four or five supermarkets within a ten mile radius, I would love to have Fresh Direct. The A&P's dairy section is almost always near or past the sell-by date. The Shop Rite has tragic produce, as does Pathmark. I won't buy the mass-produced chicken or meat at any of them. I try to cross the GWB once a week and hit the uptown Fairway, but that has to be timed correctly to avoid traffic jams. If I didn't have a insider at the farmers' market, I'd be SOL, too!

[Wilfrid1]

I can't imagine using it for a dinner party. But yes, like you say, the heavy stuff: liquids especially.

[SFJoe]

Wilfrid, on Jan 14 2007, 01:28 PM, said:

I can't imagine using it for a dinner party. But yes, like you say, the heavy stuff: liquids especially.

Very handy for that case of Pellegrino.

I don't buy produce from them, nor cheese. But very convenient for staples.

[Wilfrid1]

They are sourcing cheese from Artisanal. I wonder...

[Steven Dilley]

I've ordered the occasional Constant Bliss or Cheddar for sandwiches, but that's about it. For produce, I don't stray much beyond onions, lemons, limes, and the like. I do like their frozen, sliced Pullman loaf.

[Maurice Naughton]

Liza, on Jan 14 2007, 01:23 PM, said:

Out here in the burbs, with four or five supermarkets within a ten mile radius, I would love to have Fresh Direct. The A&P's dairy section is almost always near or past the sell-by date. The Shop Rite has tragic produce, as does Pathmark. I won't buy the mass-produced chicken or meat at any of them. I try to cross the GWB once a week and hit the uptown Fairway, but that has to be timed correctly to avoid traffic jams. If I didn't have a insider at the farmers' market, I'd be SOL, too!

So we'll try again. GWB: George Washington Bridge! Yay! SOL?

Board still full of lazies and exclusivistes.

[Wilfrid1]

You are SOL if you are expecting no abbreviations in an internet forum.

[Lex]

Wilfrid, on Jan 16 2007, 11:20 AM, said:

You are SOL if you are expecting no abbreviations in an internet forum.

FWIW I agree with you.

OK Maurice, here's a guide.

[GG Mora]

Maurice Naughton, on Jan 16 2007, 11:17 AM, said:

Liza, on Jan 14 2007, 01:23 PM, said:

Out here in the burbs, with four or five supermarkets within a ten mile radius, I would love to have Fresh Direct. The A&P's dairy section is almost always near or past the sell-by date. The Shop Rite has tragic produce, as does Pathmark. I won't buy the mass-produced chicken or meat at any of them. I try to cross the GWB once a week and hit the uptown Fairway, but that has to be timed correctly to avoid traffic jams. If I didn't have a insider at the farmers' market, I'd be SOL, too!

So we'll try again. GWB: George Washington Bridge! Yay! SOL?

Board still full of lazies and exclusivistes.

To say nothing of the neologists. Dude.

[Rose]

Exclusively Shit Outta Luck

[Marty L.]

Quote

I don't buy produce from them, nor cheese.

I too have had some bad experiences with produce from Freshdirect, but anything they carry from Satur Farms or Red Jacket Orchards has always been a safe and worthwhile bet.

In terms of cheese, I know I've posted this before, but it bears repeating that Freshdirect carries the reliably excellent Comte from Essex Street Cheese Co., which they properly wrap in paper and charge a few dollars less than most other places in town.

They also carry Pamplie butter.

And I am addicted to their chocolate-flecked bannana bread.

For those of you with munchkins at home, they are very handy for ordering baby food and they carry the Earth's Best brand, among others.

[Rose]

I think Fresh Direct is great. The only critical thing for me would be that they bring my order in nice, clean, well organized boxes but sometimes there's only bananas in a great big box and at the end of unpacking, I always feel guilty about all the terrific usable cardboard that's going to waste. I'm sure that since the inception of FD, there's been a lot more cardboard sitting on the street waiting for pickup by the sanitation department. Some cardboard company is making out like thieves. Hmmm, I wonder if they're publicly traded.

[Wilfrid1]

You can fill the empty boxes with books.