On MSNBC and other cable news channels, they call what I'm about to do 'walking it back.'
Which means, I'm about to write that what I wrote --- in my last post about FreshDirect™ --- does not reflect my current thinking. [FreshDirect is an online ordering and delivery service for groceries and other household items that I patronized during the month of March, 2014.]
When I wrote that post on April 19, I had just checked the statement from the bank card I used to pay for FreshDirect deliveries. I wasn't just shocked by the total amount I spent with FreshDirect; I felt like an idiot for paying what I could see were plainly higher, sometimes considerably higher, prices. If you're choosing between two heads of garlic, I reasoned, how could choosing the higher-priced one possibly be worth it?
Here's my walk-back: I was wrong. It's worth it.
My resolve to go back to the much lower prices of my neighborhood supermarket, Western Beef™, began to crumble almost immediately. It started with my wife recalling how much better FreshDirect produce tasted, how much fresher and more flavorful. Wasn't it worth paying the price for something you really enjoy?, she asked, completely reasonably.
But what made me return to online ordering was a weekful of ancient, tasteless carrots and rotten turnips, following a bagful of Long Island potatoes we had to throw out --- all from our local supermarket. Suddenly paying less didn't seem so important or so smart.
Our first order since our return to FreshDirect arrived this morning. Every item was big, beautiful and healthy, and beautifully packed. What's more, I know everything will taste terrific --- and if it doesn't, I'll get a refund. Paying more in this case seems very wise indeed.
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