Peapod, the closest thing to a national online grocery service, has moved into Long Island, N.Y., its eighth metropolitan area. First, figure out why you would want to do your shopping over the Net. That will help you determine which sites to skip and which ones you'll visit regularly. If you want to save money, forget about buying food online. Peapod, a more traditional grocer, delivers goods by van.
Online pharmacies offer better deals and more choices.
But for medication you buy regularly, setting up an online account can make sense. The convenience may have you thinking about online food shopping, too, even if it does cost more. For now, online grocers are mostly limited to metropolitan areas. It's particularly helpful for bulky items, such as bottled water or paper towels, and prices are comparable with those of nearby stores. But Peapod might not save you much time.