The true cost of online grocery delivery; would-be vacationers want refunds: CBC's Marketplace Cheat Sheet

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Is there a cost to the convenience of online grocery delivery services like Instacart?  To find out, Marketplace did a spot check, comparing the costs of buying groceries at Walmart, Costco and Loblaws in-store and on the Instacart app. While the prices at Walmart were the same in-store as they were on the Instacart app, Marketplace producers discovered substantial hidden markups at Costco and Loblaws. Costco and Loblaws told Marketplace that customers get a better deal when ordering directly from their website, and that Instacart keeps the money made from the markups. Instacart told us retailers set the prices on their app and it's up to consumers to look up those pricing policies. Read more

It's a situation that's all too familiar by now for many would-be travellers: rapidly changing COVID-19 travel regulations leading to cancelled trips and postponed vacations. But the fight to get refunds from travel companies has been even more frustrating than mislaid plans for some Canadians. Many vacationers who'd planned to soak up the sun overseas this winter say heeding health and government officials' advice has led to an uphill battle with these companies for reimbursement. Read more

Despite announcing almost six weeks ago that all travellers entering Canada from outside the U.S. would soon be required to take a COVID-19 molecular test upon arrival, Ottawa is still not testing everyone. Marcela Hart says she was surprised when she and her husband — both fully vaccinated — weren't selected for an arrival test after flying to Toronto from Mexico on Dec. 26.  "We did have an unvaccinated child with us. We just kind of assumed we would be — almost — a target to get tested," she said. The Public Health Agency of Canada did not address questions about why it's taking so long to shift to testing all non-U.S. foreign arrivals. But spokesperson André Gagnon says the government has "significantly increased" arrival testing resources this month, to the point where it can now administer more than 20,000 tests daily at airports. Read more

The pandemic is changing how restaurants do business — and it might be for good Focus on takeout and delivery will mean smaller restaurants, with less face-to-face contact. 

Some Save on Foods combo meals recalled due to salmonella risk Lemon chicken, sweet and sour pork, ginger beef and honey garlic chicken meals affected.

Passengers on Sunwing party plane could face jail time, thousands in fines Group included Quebec influencers, reality show stars heading to Mexico.

Critics, industry call on Ottawa to reconsider trucker vaccine mandate to protect supply chains Conservatives, trucking industry say mandate will damage Canada's already fragile supply chains.

Do you get harassing phone calls demanding you owe the CRA money for unpaid taxes? Or callers claiming you've got a virus and need tech support? If so, we want to hear from you! We're hoping you can send us a selfie video detailing your experience so we may use it in our show! Email the video to us at  marketplace@cbc.ca. 

Watch this week's episode of Marketplace and catch up on past episodes anytime on CBC Gem.