master-cooks | How To Bend The Rules To Get Trader Joe's Delivered To Your Home

While Trader Joe's does not offer direct delivery services, there are creative ways to have their products brought to your doorstep. One popular method is using third-party grocery delivery services like Instacart or Postmates. These platforms often have personal shoppers who can pick up items from Trader Joe's and deliver them to your home, even if Trader Joe's isn't officially listed on the service. Some customers have had success by placing an order for grocery delivery from a nearby store and then directly communicating with the shopper to request specific Trader Joe's items. Another approach is to hire a task-based service like TaskRabbit, where you can find someone willing to shop and deliver groceries for you. Additionally, consider networking with local community groups on social media platforms, as some members might offer delivery services for a fee or trade. Finally, if you have friends or family nearby, you can arrange a personal favor or a regular grocery swap arrangement. While these methods might not be as straightforward as traditional delivery services, they can effectively bring your favorite Trader Joe's products to your home without much hassle.

Ordering Trader Joe's via app

Any application that allows you to hire individuals for running errands can be utilized to have Trader Joe's groceries delivered, with TaskRabbit being the most recognized choice. However, a drawback is that since they lack an official partnership with the store, the shopper won't have access to the inventory of your local Trader Joe's. As a result, you may need to be ready to address inquiries about substitute items or accept that not everything on your list may be available. It’s advisable to request items that are generally in stock—avoid anything too specialized or seasonal. Your TaskRabbit assistant will purchase the groceries upfront and then submit the receipt for reimbursement through the app (of course, the grocery costs will be charged to the person who placed the order).

Similarly, while it doesn't have an official arrangement with the grocery store, the app Dumpling also allows you to order from Trader Joe's. Like TaskRabbit, your assistant will only have access to the list you provide and won't benefit from the app's time-saving features, such as store directory information. Therefore, it's crucial to keep in mind that you are essentially paying your personal assistant a fixed hourly rate, so be sure to consider the time spent searching for items and waiting in line at checkout. Payment works similarly to TaskRabbit, except that Dumpling (not the shopper) covers the cost of the groceries, which is then billed to you.

You can get Trader Joe's products online, too

If you truly have more money than time, consider purchasing Trader Joe's items from resellers on Amazon, which will deliver them right to your doorstep. However, don't depend on this approach for quickly obtaining everything on your shopping list: While there is a fair variety of Trader Joe's products available on Amazon, they may not all be from the same seller, and delivery times will be slower compared to services like TaskRabbit, as many sellers do not qualify for fast Amazon Prime shipping. If you have a limited selection of specific Trader Joe's products in mind, this can be a reasonable option. Just be aware that prices may be significantly marked up — for instance, you might find a shaker of chile lime seasoning blend for nearly $9.

Additionally, Amazon isn't the only site where you can find Trader Joe's products. Walmart and eBay also offer these items, but expect to pay similarly high prices for the convenience of shopping from home.

How To Bend The Rules To Get Trader Joe's Delivered To Your Home

Ordering Trader Joe's via app

You can get Trader Joe's products online, too

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