Online supermarkets benefit from the corona virus. More and more people are buying their groceries from online delivery services.
- Online supermarkets are experiencing a real boom in times of the corona virus .
- The concept meets the spirit of the times , but contains some pitfalls .
- In order for online shopping to run smoothly, customers should be aware of their rights .
Dortmund - Shopping in the supermarket is really not a pleasure these days . In addition to long waiting times, the oppressive feeling of an increased risk of infection hits the mind. Many people order their groceries online and have them delivered to their home. However, caution is advised , reports RUHR24.de *.
Delivery services: Order groceries online - industry is experiencing a corona boom
According to the WDR, online food trade grew by a whopping 56 percent in March 2020 alone. After all , the concept literally fits into the coronavirus crisis like a "fist on the eye" (all service articles on RUHR24.de) *.
The much-cited aerosols - which can become a danger, especially in supermarkets, where many people move around in an enclosed space - play no role in the contactless delivery of food . According to the current state of research, it is unlikely that the packaging and the products it contains will be infected. In short: the supply is ensured and the risk of infection is low .
Buying groceries online: delivery services have one major disadvantage
However, like so much in life, the delivery services of food have a catch . Because in most cases the deliveries are only parked in the hallway, the customer has to rely on the fact that the ordered goods reach them in good condition and with a minimum shelf life.
If she doesn't, it quickly becomes angry. The consumer advice center emphasizes to the WDR that, of course, there is a right to flawless goods even in the stressful Corona period. Spoiled food should at best directly documented by a photo and immediately call the dealer or by e-mail be claimed .
The consumer advice center provides tips for shopping at grocery delivery services.
© Jan Woitas / dpa
If no replacement is delivered, the contract can be withdrawn or - if there is only one affected product - the invoice amount can be reduced accordingly. The consumer advice center also recommends that you do not pay in advance . Otherwise you might have to run after your money .
Buying groceries online: the consumer advice center recommends paying attention to quality seals
It is also important to choose the right delivery service . In addition to the delivery fee, the delivery times and the selection, according to the consumer advice center, customers should at best also check whether their provider can show one of the following seals :
- "Trusted Shops"
- "internet privacy standards"
- "EHI Certified Online Shop"
- "TÜV Süd s @ fer shopping"
These seals are not an indication of the quality of the food to be purchased online from the respective delivery service . But they guarantee that the same criteria are used for monitoring as in a conventional supermarket. In addition, it speaks for the seriousness of a provider if he discloses his contact details with address.
Video: Order groceries comfortably from the sofa: Online supermarkets put to the test
When looking for the right food delivery service during the coronavirus crisis, a new platform that shows all suppliers in the area * can help. There you can also see the shipping costs and delivery times in the overview.
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Criticism of the model continues to come mainly from environmentalists . Because the packaging of groceries purchased online varies from supplier to supplier - customers have no influence on this. Sensitive products such as eggs and glass must be protected with additional packaging material .
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* RUHR24.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
