ORLANDO, Fla. -- Even though they have not yet ordered their groceries on-line, a number of supermarket shoppers here, randomly polled by SN, appeared receptive to the idea. However, some also expressed concerns about using their credit cards for on-line orders and some stipulated that the service would have to provide packaged dry goods in bulk, similar to warehouse club offerings. Here are some of their responses to whether they would shop on-line for groceries:
Monique Long, 31,
homemaker, Apopka:
"It depends. If they had organic food and veggies, maybe. But I like to be able to look at and touch fruits and vegetables, and I'm not sure about the delivery time with four kids. I don't believe in paying extra for shipping, but if it [the on-line service] was economical and worth my while, I would. I don't doubt the quality. And I would buy things in bulk, like Costco has, such as frozen hot pockets for the kids, dried goods and Gatorade."
Debbie Schneider, 41, assistant nurse manager, Altamonte Springs
"I wouldn't, because I like to see the products I am purchasing. I eat fresh fruits, vegetables and meats and not a lot of processed foods. I also have difficulty with giving my credit card number on-line, for fraud reasons. However, it's just as easy for someone to write it down [off-line]. It just seems that on-line, the technology is not as secure.
However, I would be interested in a service that just started up here in Orlando. You e-mail your shopping list to this lady, she does all the shopping for you, and delivers it to your house for something like $10 or $15. That does save time in a busy day, and she gets to know what her customers do and do not like."
Jane Kinnan, 52, accounting professional, Apopka
"I've really never tried it, and I have a computer at home. I am a few miles away from the store, so maybe I would. I order my checks on-line. I wouldn't care if the items were perishable or not. I would pay something like a tip to have groceries delivered, not 50% or something like that.
However, I'm still iffy about giving people my Visa card number on-line. You never know if someone is going to do something with it."
Alisa Myrick, 32, homemaker, Apopka
(Doesn't currently have a computer, but is in the process of getting one.) "I haven't considered it. I stay at home with my son, so it's an outing for us to go to the grocery store. However, I would do bulk items, like those from Costco. It would be worth it to pay for delivery, because you don't have to lift all those packages."
Gary Williams, 44, health club consultant, Altamonte Springs
"I'm not on the Net now, but I might do grocery shopping on-line when I am. I'm sure they would take care of problems, if something was wrong. It depends on the charge [to deliver]. If it was $10, yes, but if it was $30 to $40, no. If it cost just a little extra for the convenience, I would do it. It's just food: It's simpler than shopping for clothes."
Bill Stankowitz, 45, water plant operator, Apopka
"I haven't done it, and I just read an article that only 2% to 4% of people would do on-line grocery shopping by something like 2002. It is better just to go to a store and compare. I don't know if on-line shopping would have the selection [as in the store]. I wouldn't buy on-line items like clothes, but I would consider, books, perfume and other products."
Rob Michelson, 32, technician for cable company, Apopka
"I have considered it, but didn't know where to go [on the Web]. When I go to the store, I compare everything, so I think it would be neat to go to an on-line store and [compare products]. And there are certain things I buy all the time. I would buy packaged and fresh foods, including chicken, beef and fish."
Sarah Keefer, 17, college student, Orlando
"We were talking the other day about doing on-line grocery shopping. It is quicker to do that and have someone deliver it to you at a certain time. It depends on the situation, but I would probably pay more for delivery and I would buy dried goods."
Jay Reubert, 49, law firm office manager, Apopka
"I have a computer at home, but I don't use credit cards on the Net. I don't trust...the security on the Internet. I guess I am old fashioned. Also, it is too easy to go grocery shopping. I live two minutes from the store."
