Unsure about buying beef online? Here are some things to consider, some pros and cons of buying beef online, to help you make up your mind.

First we’ll look into some of the pros. When considering buying beef online, the first thing that comes to mind is that you don’t have to drive to the supermarket or butcher shop. Additionally, you don’t have to stand in line at a checkout counter, nor do you have haul everything back home.

Another advantage to buying beef online lies in finding the best-grade meats. Supermarkets typically carry only Select-grade beef, and butchers may be sold out of the grade for which you’re looking.

A much wider selection of cuts can be found looking for beef online than in a supermarket or butcher shop. Filets, tenderloins, ribeyes, t-bones – whatever cut you desire – can be located quickly and with little effort on the Internet.

Many Internet meat sellers offer free recipes along with preparation instructions when you buy your beef online from them.

And now the cons: You can’t actually see what you’re buying when you buy beef online. Most sites offer representative images of the beef they’re selling, but you must develop a level of trust many people never succeed at doing.

And oh, those shipping charges! Ouch! With the price of fuel rising exponentially, both ground and air carriers must pass the charges on to the consumer – us! – which, in turn, makes everything – including buying beef online – expensive.

Customer service, another important issue when purchasing beef online, varies from company to company. What happens when you order a case of steaks, but receive a case of ground round instead? Who’s responsible at XYZ Meat Company when the filets arrive a day late – after your 20-guest dinner party? Consider these potential problems before they happen so steps can be taken to avert them. Know your online meat company’s customer service policies – by heart!

And what about the wait? It takes some forethought to order beef online when you’re planning a family’s meals or ordering for a future get-together. Most companies offer overnight shipping, but then there are those shipping costs again. …

Well, there you have it in a nutshell. At least now you can clearly think about whether or not to buy beef online. But, as always, deciding is up to you.