[alleyshack]

You don't specify why Instacart "became less usable", though if your experience is like mine I'd guess it's a combination of delivery windows being a full week out and the results being somewhat unreliable between replacements/out of stock. What's been working for my household is to make the Instacart order knowing it won't be delivered for at least a week, and use that time to fill out the order as needed. We're not to this point yet but I've also thought about doing a rolling window (i.e., make one order with a delivery window of next Saturday, then start another one in two days with a delivery for next Monday, etc) so there's always something coming in.

Another suggestion, which I have not tested yet personally, would be to look up small grocers in your area. If you're willing to drive to pick up your shopping, a small grocer may be willing to prepick your order and have it ready for you in the parking lot without an intermediary.

A third option would be to check for local milkman deliveries, since many of them deliver more than just milk. A quick search for the Bay Area brings up "Bay Area Milkman" and "Milkman SF". Again, haven't tried them so can't vouch for them, but I'm keeping similar options in my own back pocket if/when we need them.

[vonmoltke]

> You don't specify why Instacart "became less usable", though if your experience is like mine I'd guess it's a combination of delivery windows being a full week out

I can't get a delivery window at all in Instacart right now. I can't get pickup of delivery from any grocery store in northern New Jersey right now.

[MBlume]

Check out immediately after midnight, this is what's worked for us.

[thewebcount]

Likewise. Same with Shipt who are doing Target orders.

[alleyshack]

Oh yikes. Mine's been iffy, but looking a full week out I've usually been able to find something. I suppose I should consider my area fortunate for that.

I don't know if either of my other suggestions are of any use to you, but I genuinely wish you luck in your search.

[andrewblossom]

I've experienced the same in northern NJ. No available delivery/pick-up slots from any providers.

[impendia]

> a small grocer may be willing to prepick your order and have it ready for you in the parking lot without an intermediary.

This is what I did. A small, upscale grocery near me started offering curbside pickup: you send in an order in the morning, get called to arrange payment in the afternoon, drive there the same day, and they drop off your groceries at your car. Worked perfectly. Yum.

Indeed, prominently advertised on their website: https://www.rosewoodmarket.com/grocery-curbside-pickup/

Unfortunately this is in a different state. But maybe Mountain View/Palo Alto/Sunnyvale/etc. has something similar? Where do all the vegans and serious foodies shop? I'd try there.

[pkaye]

Some major stores (Target, Safeway, Raleys, etc) are doing it but the wait times are long. Might find some smaller stores with less of a wait.

[Diederich]

Ok, this is all very useful, thank you kindly.