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Instant vs Scheduled Delivery: When Each One Makes Sense
Instant delivery brings food in about 35–55 minutes for a fee of KES 150–350. Scheduled delivery means you order one to seven days ahead into a fixed 40-minute window, and delivery is free within 1 km of the partner kitchen. Choose instant for emergencies and scheduled for routine.
This is not a case of one being right and the other wrong. They solve different problems. Here is how to pick.
Side by side
When instant makes sense
- A meeting overran and you have not eaten.
- You are hosting someone unexpectedly.
- You forgot to order ahead.
In these cases, paying KES 150–350 for speed is a fair trade.
When scheduled makes sense
- You eat prepared meals several times a week.
- You want to know your food cost before the week begins.
- You can plan a day ahead and fit your day around a 40-minute window.
The case against using only one
If you use only instant orders, your costs and timing are unpredictable. If you use only scheduled orders, you will sometimes be stuck on a day your plan did not cover. Many people do best with a plan for the routine days and an instant order as the backup.
You can switch
If you start an instant order and realise you could wait, you can switch from Deliver Now to an upcoming lunch pool before checkout. If you are within 1 km of the kitchen, the delivery fee is waived. The trade-off is the wait.
Not ideal for either
Instant orders are not ideal if you want free delivery. Scheduled orders are not ideal if you cannot work with a 40-minute window or order only once in a while.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between instant and scheduled food delivery? Instant delivery brings food in about 35–55 minutes for a fee of KES 150–350. Scheduled delivery is ordered ahead into a fixed 40-minute window.
Which is cheaper? Scheduled delivery is free within 1 km of the partner kitchen. Instant orders always carry a delivery fee.
Can I use both on Qavaeat? Yes. Plan your routine days with a weekly schedule and use instant orders when you need a meal right away.
Can I change a scheduled order? Yes, until 10:00 PM the evening before delivery.
Related reading:
- What is a delivery pool?
- Delivery fees, explained
- How to schedule food delivery
Written by
Keith Koki
An experienced content writer
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