This is something I’ve mentioned before but with Vince here and his love of shopping, I’m reminded again how much I love curbside grocery pickup. While I’m not saying anything good came out of COVID, I would never have done curbside pickup had it not been for all this.
We did curbside pickup twice at a local grocery store in Texas and it was good but Walmart . . as much as I’ll never sing the praises of Walmart for so many reasons, though Chad worked for them for 11 years and they were fair to him, they have curbside pickup down to an art and I love it for so many reasons. Also, about the only other grocery store near me is Harps, which is probably close to 10 miles away and their prices are pretty steep unless it’s something on sale. I’d never by everything we use from them. I’ll always go to Aldi for Dr. Dazzle . . except they can’t seem to get it in stock these days. I even wrote them and they responded quickly – just can’t get it right now.
Also, there will always be things that are substantially less at Aldi. With Vince around, we’ll be at Aldi at least once a week. Great Value Butter at WM is $2.98 a pound. I don’t mind paying that but Aldi had it for $1.79. Saving $1.20 per pound on five or six pounds is a savings I can be happy about. But, if I’m here by myself, I’m probably just going to get everything from Walmart and not go walking up and down the aisles at Aldi looking to see what I might see.
Convenience in Ordering:
As soon as I get home from picking up an order, I almost always start another order. I just leave in on the app – add everything I think of that I may need. Then, before ‘checking out’, I go back through and take out anything I’ve decided I won’t need.
Substitutions:
I almost always will order the Walmart brand, usually Great Value, but if they’re out of that, they sub usually the name brand for the same price.
I had already bought whipped topping for the pumpkin pies but found out we may have more company coming so I wanted to add a second can. Since they’re out of the GV brand I ordered, they’re subbing Reddi-Whip for the same price as the Great Value.
Convenience in Picking Up:
I check in on their app before I leave the house. That tells them how long it’s going to take for me to get there. When I get there, I check in through the app (thanks to a blog reader for telling me that – I thought I had to call and tell them I was there). For the early (7 – 8 a.m. slot), they are usually out with my groceries before I put the phone back in it’s spot.
I’ve never gotten anything that wasn’t good – like bad lettuce or cucumbers. I think the shoppers do a great job but maybe that’s opinion is a bit biased based on my dislike of shopping. I can’t imagine how nice this would be for moms who have to drag their children through the store . . wanting everything they see, wanting to go to the bathroom, wanting to go home!
I don’t believe I’ll ever go back to doing the majority of my shopping in person.
Becky Rhodes says
I too love using this app to get my groceries and only started using it since the pandemic. I havent used that first time slot for just that reason. When you checkin they know exactly how long it takes for you to drive there. It’s great!
Mary says
I have a niece who has 4 children ranging in age from 1 1/2 to 6. She started ordering her groceries when the twins (#2 & 3) were born and hasn’t stopped!
Judy Laquidara says
That is exactly the situation where I think the curbside pickup would be perfect. I think back to when Chad was little or even when I’m shopping with Addie. She wants everything – applesauce, candy, cute straws, cookie decorating kits . . it all adds up or I feel like I’m saying no to her 1,000 times.
PattiLynn says
I order from Walmart on my PC. They email me my order is ready. I click I’m on my way…and phone when I get there since I don’t have the app on my phone. They’re right out that way too. I love that they load my frozen and chilled items together on one seat…so when I get home I can take those in first. The cans etc. I don’t have to hurry to get in. Altho I do try to get them in the same day. Very convenient and I love it!
Judy Laquidara says
I ordered on my tablet before I added the app but I love having the app because my phone is almost always in my pocket and anything I realize I’m low on, I just pull out the phone and add it to my list.
Sara Fridley says
I haven’t done curbside pickup from our Walmart because it’s clear across town and the store I shop at most is 3 blocks away. That local store has done a great job with my grocery orders so far. If they have to substitute a different size product they call and ask. Last week they even called me about substituting a lower fat/lower sodium version of something. I did end up with a couple of extra items sometimes – but never anything I was charged for. I need to do a curbside order this afternoon so I can make some food for a friend whose husband died Monday of Covid.
Judy Laquidara says
Sorry about your friend’s husband. I’m sure she will appreciate your kindness!
Sounds like you have the perfect setup with your local grocery. I so miss having a great local grocery store.
Helen says
Oh my gosh! I, too, absolutely love the Walmart app and the curbside pick up. One time I ordered regular pop instead of diet – – my error. I called and told them what I had done they made it right! I was totally amazed at how wonderful they are and the kids —normally college or high school kids are at my car in a jiffy and always so sweet.
My daughter has four children and one is autistic. She hated going to the grocery store cause the one with autism had such a difficult time. She’s been doing curbside pick up for a long time and have encouraged me to do it. But like you, until the pandemic kind of forced me to do it I just pooh-poohed her idea.
I’m not sure that I will ever go back to shopping the same way again, either. I do enjoy running into grab some things that I need to touch or maybe I need socks or a new pair of leggings. Other than that I love the app and I love the convenience.
Sarah F. says
I do like the Walmart app but today it was not my friend. I ordered yesterday for 11-12 and did not get notice until 11:15 that my order was ready. Then when I got there it was at least a 40 minute wait to get a spot and get it loaded. The gal next to me had waited well over an hour and another guy never did get his so he just canceled. And then they were out of milk so I went in to get some sort of milk and only 3 checkers were open with 5-6 people in each line. Things were looking bare again also-toilet paper, Paper towels, milk, deli meat and some canned vegetables are just a few of the bare shelves I noticed. Looks like people are back to hoarding!
Judy Laquidara says
I try to always get the 7 – 8 a.m. slot and have never had anyone else there at that time but yesterday, there were two other cars. One was being loaded, then one person came to bring groceries for #2 and a third person came out with mine. No wait.
As far as hoarding, I think it’s more of a supply issue with WM/Sam’s. Aldi had so much toilet paper yesterday that it was way over the top of the shelves and when we were in WM Sunday, they were almost out. Aldi also had tons of veggies. I didn’t see any empty shelves there.
People probably are going to hoard. There’s a lot of scary news out there, depending on where they get their news.
Karen Hartley says
I was using Walmart curbside before the pandemic. I love the convenience. At first I was concerned about the quality of the produce I would receive, but it has been great. I use the app and they are usually bringing my groceries out when I arrive . The only thing is right now they won’t do disinfecting wipes or spray with curbside. Since I won’t go in (immuno compromised). I’m having others shop those items for me.
Linda in NE says
I’ve never done curbside pickup. It’s just not a thing here in my small town, though I could call my order in, they deliver on Monday & Friday & put it on my tab to pay later. My daughter-in-law & daughter have both used the curbside pickup & love it. My daughter was actually one of the shoppers at HyVee for a year or so.
Nelle Coursey says
The stores have figured out that they are losing money on the curbside pick up because of people not buying impulse items!