There are few things that I dread worse than grocery shopping. Funerals, PAP smears, and paying bills are the only things I can think of at this moment. But my hatred of grocery shopping every week has finally come to an end, because my local Walmart finally moved up in the world and offers free grocery pickup. Yay! So I'm going to share my experience with those who are curious about the process.
The Ordering Experience
The first time I placed an order, it did take me about an hour to do so, but that's because my attention span is short, and I multi-tasked placing the order and chatting with my fellow Blockheads about NKOTB stuff. Typical. But it also took a little while because it was my first time placing an order, so I had to search for everything. On subsequent orders, I had the option to choose from a list of items that I previously ordered, so that sped along the process a little. It's still faster than shopping in the store.
It's super easy to find exactly what you want. And the total price is readily available and updates each time an item is added, so it's easy to keep up with if you're trying to stay under a certain dollar amount. I've found that I actually save money, because I'm not making any impulse purchases, and I don't buy more groceries than I actually plan on using. The only downfall I've realized so far is that you can't use coupons. For someone who uses a lot of coupons or money saving apps like Ibotta, that kind of sucks. However, I will occasionally go inside to shop specifically for the items I have coupons/money back deals for if it's a significant amount of savings. It's still quicker to grab those few items then pull around to pick up my online order than it is to shop for the entire list. However, you can still use the Walmart Savings Catcher, because they provide a TC# on the app that you can copy and paste.
Once you're finished adding everything to your cart (if you've forgotten something, you can still add it within so many hours before your pickup time), you choose your pickup location and time. Pay close attention while choosing your pickup location. My explanation is detailed in the pickup experience section below.
Then, you can check whether or not you want to allow substitutions. Usually, if a substitution is needed, you'll get the same item in a larger quantity for the same price as your original selection, or a variety of smaller sizes to equal the desired amount. But sometimes they'll substitute another brand. So make sure that you uncheck any items that you absolutely don't want substituted.
I picked up a $10 off first order code in store before ordering, so I added that when I checked out. You can share a personal referral link with friends, and if they use it, they will get $10 off their order, and you'll also receive a $10 code. So if you're interested, use my referral link to get $10 off your first order! (No shame.): http://r.wmt.co/gU6Bc
When your order is ready, you'll receive a notification by email, text, and/or app, depending on what all you've signed up for. I usually get one about 15 to 20 minutes before the pickup time I've chosen. You can go ahead and check in when you're on your way. You don't have to wait until you arrive.
The Pickup Experience
Okay, as with 92.8% of everything in my life, things didn't go as planned my first time. It went something like this...
I got the notification that my order was ready for pickup at 1:43 p.m. I had scheduled the pickup for 2-3:00 p.m., so that was perfect. I finished up what I was working on and was on my way soon enough. But first, as directed, I checked in using the mobile app.
My drive was a mere 6 minutes from work, and I had no trouble finding the pickup area, because there were plenty of signs and painted pavement to lead the way. So I pulled into one of the designated parking spots, and I checked the app, which shows your location on a map, to see if it recognized that I was there. It didn't. Well... it was in this moment - when it said that I was still 32 minutes away - that I realized I obviously entered the wrong pickup location when I placed the order.
To say that I was mad at myself would be an understatement. I cursed myself thoroughly, and proceeded to put my vehicle in reverse before someone approached me and I looked like the idiot that I really am, and headed to the correct/wrong location, 32 minutes away. I wanted to cry.
Y'all, I swear that I chose the right location before I even put the first item in my cart. I know I didn't dream that. As a matter of fact, it asked me to enter my zip code very first thing, and I'm pretty sure the only location that came up was the one that I intended to use. I don't know what happened. But either I or something in cyberspace went wrong, and the whole point in me using the pickup thing was moot, because I was going to have to drive over an hour out of my way, round trip.
But anywho... other than that goof up, the rest of the experience wasn't so bad. I did have to wait exactly 20 minutes before the nice lady loading groceries approached my car to ask my name. There were two other vehicles there before me. And the lady apologized and told me that she was the only one working. So I get it. But I've had no other problems with waiting on subsequent trips, but they've all been at a different location than the first one.
If any substitutions are made, or something isn't able to be fulfilled, they'll go over that with you before you sign for the order. And, of course, you don't have to accept the substituted items if you don't want them.
On my first trip, I was told that there were two items that were substituted: A 3-pack of spearmint Trident gum was substituted for the mint bliss flavor that I'd ordered. No biggie, except I dislike the spearmint kind. But I didn't fret about it because I knew my kids would gladly accept it, so no biggie. The second item that was substituted was a bag of frozen sweet potato fries. I was told that, "They substituted it for another brand, and it actually has more ounces, at no extra cost." Great, right? Nope. When I got home, I discovered that they actually substituted the fries with a package of diced butternut squash. I'm dead serious. I guess I could've taken it back, but that would've cost me another hour of my life, and I just didn't have the energy at that point. So that's why I suggest paying close attention to what you've checked to be substituted if needed, and also viewing the substitutions before you accept them.
You don't have to step out of the car at all. It kind of makes me feel weird sometimes. But that's what's supposed to happen. And at first I didn't know if I should tip or not. I didn't, and later found out that they're not allowed to accept tips, so that made me feel better.
Also, you should get a goodie bag on your first order. If they don't offer it, ask about it. The nice lady on my first trip didn't realize it was my first order until I mentioned it so, then she asked me to wait for a minute while she got my gift bag. It was a little reusable tote that contained a jar of Prego spaghetti sauce, a V8 energy drink, and some Monster 20 ounce energy drink. Oh, and a sample of these new little chewy candies. So that was nice.
A Little FYI
I definitely recommend the service. But I feel obligated to point out one more thing...
About about 3 orders later, I happened to notice multiple charges on my credit card that I didn't recognize, from a Walmart in Bentonville, Arkansas (which I later learned is where Walmart headquarters is located). I did as anyone would do and called my credit card company. Long story short, they cancelled the card and overnighted me a new one, and said they wouldn't hold me liable for the charges. Well... later on I thought I should look and see where the last place I used the card was before those charges occurred so that I might be able to pinpoint where my information was obtained by this thief. This is when I realized that my Walmart grocery pickup orders weren't on there. BUT when I added up the totals of those fraudulent charges.... Well, I probably don't have to tell you the rest. So it turns out that when you add items to a grocery order that you've already scheduled for pickup, each item you add is charged separately. To me, that would've been valuable information to know before I made a fool of myself and had to call back to say "my bad." It also would've kept my walmart.com account from being locked. I couldn't order anything at all on walmart.com for 6 months after that. I'd place an order, and it would automatically cancel, and I'd have to call. It took 11 separate orders and me being ugly for someone to finally transfer me to their corporate team (which I asked for them to do on multiple occasions but they wouldn't so much as transfer my call to a supervisor) to get my account straightened up. So I'm telling you all of this so that I can maybe save someone else from embarrassment and a ton of frustration.
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