Monday, September 28, 2020

PICK UP

Finally something has come out of this "new normal" that is not frightening, burdensome or worrisome. Grocery pick up.

I put it off for a while being content with going the one day a week at 6 AM when seniors were allowed to shop.  It was the only time that everyone wore masks and the stores were not crowded.  I was OK with setting my alarm to grocery shop. 

Then my brother kept raving about the Walmart pick up program so when we finally got it here in tiny town, I gave it a shot. 

At first there was a learning curve on how to order on the computer and pick a time slot but it really isn't rocket science.  Hey, I figured it out. There was a bit of trial and error but I finally pushed the check out button and waited.

I had chosen a time for the next day and oddly 20 minutes before my time slot the following day, I got the email saying my order was ready.  They must have seen my address and calculated how long it would take me to get there. Yep, 20 minutes.

I pulled into the designated area and called the number on the sign. If you have a smart phone and use their app, they can track you but I only have a flip phone and had to let them know I was there.  I was told they would be right out and it only took a few minutes. I asked him to put the order in the back of my vehicle which he did, even bringing the bread to me personally so it could ride safely with me. 

The polite young man said there were no substitutions and that they had given me a free sample of some grapes. Wow, how nice, I love grapes.

When I unpacked, every thing I had ordered was there and all I had to do was unload at home. Nice. Besides the two bag samples of golden grapes which were delicious, I saw they had also given me a unique measuring spoon gadget. I was feeling quite spoiled.

Now besides being high risk for Covid and wanting to stay out of crowds, I have been having a bit of trouble breathing when I shopped. I could walk around the store fine but checking out and loading my vehicle were a bit taxing.  Now I don't have to do any of that. 

I will still go in for a few things that I would like to pick out myself but the heavy things are no longer a problem. I truly hope this service stays when Covid finally goes away. 

It really is a smooth, well run operation and their workers are extremely nice. 

Have you tried it yet? I highly recommend it. 

49 comments :

  1. My sister uses this excellent Walmart service, Patti. Some grocery chains even offer home delivery. Now that's what I call progress!

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    1. Florence,
      I think they have home delivery but not sure it would work for me as I live quite a way out in the country. Still, for now the pick up is perfect. It gets me out of the house for the drive to the store.

      Delete
  2. Patti, GOOD FOR YOU. Since I’ve known you I’ve gotten the impression you’re a pretty independent lady, so I’m glad to read you’re taking advantage of this service. And I’m glad you shared this story too, I like reading positive reviews like this from people I know. My sister uses this pickup too and likes it a lot, boy Wal-Mart doesn’t mess around do they?

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    1. Doug,
      Thanks. I was surprised and enjoyed a positive story in these times. I am really impressed with there service. It was flawless.

      Delete
  3. Our grocery store chains---two in my city---offer the pick up and delivery service. I haven't used them but my time might come this winter. I'm boycotting Walmart because of their strong support of Trump and organizations I strongly oppose so even though they offer the service, too. I won't be using them.

    I suspect these services will outlast the pandemic because everyone seems to love them.

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    1. Jean,
      Hum, that is news to me. I did a little checking just now and couldn't find anything about them being pro trump.
      I really hope the service continues though.

      Delete
  4. I am so happy you tried this. I did it once a couple years ago when I had surgery. I think due to Covid they are advertising it more often that is for certain. I am glad this worked so well for you! Yeah something good from covid who'd have thought?

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    1. Margaret,
      It really is a blessing. The social aspect of shopping is gone now with the masks and scruffy hair. I no longer recognize anyone so the hugs and chit chat are gone. Might as well enjoy being pampered.

      Delete
  5. I have done the grocery store pickup a lot. I think it is fantastic. Every time I think of something I need, I add to my cart and when done schedule and go grab.

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    1. Sue,
      I know,it really is great. I can't believe how flawlessly it works. It also stops impulse buying while in the store--something I was guilty of:)

      Delete
  6. I really don't mind shopping in our local co-op, but I see they also offer curbside pickup. I too have never liked supporting Walmart because of their politics, but maybe they've changed. It's always lovely to see a post from you in any event. :-)

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    1. Djan,
      You are the second to mention their politics. I really have not heard anything one way or the other. Maybe since Arkansas is the home of Walmart that we don't hear.

      Delete
  7. My son does it and says he'll never go back to regular shopping! For me, I want to pick out my OWN produce & meats. But, the rest would be okay. I can still go myself, physically, and don't have to pay the surcharge our stores add to the bill for this service. If it comes down to the need for me/Bid to do it, I'd have no qualms...even delivery if need be.

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    1. Anni,
      Me too on some items. I do have problems with some to the heavy stuff as it affects my breathing. But bananas, veggies or meats I still want to pick out myself. As far as I can tell Walmart has no surcharge. There is a $35.00 minimum purchase but that is no problem.

      Delete
  8. I'm glad you tried the pick-up and that it worked out so well. We do have pick-up here at a few of the local markets, but we don't mind going inside to shop. They limit the number of customers allowed in at one time and everyone always wears masks here. No mask, no entry.

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    1. robin,
      If shopping didn't make me winded, I would still be shopping in person for everything. However, I am letting Walmart do the heavy lifting for me. I can still handle the less heavy items like veggies and meat. We also have mask restrictions but there is always someone who refuses to comply for some reason or another.

      Delete
  9. I tried it once, with a grocery chain (not Walmart) and it was awful. It took nearly a half hour for the groceries to be brought out and had I not been paying attention I would have been given someone else's order. That was enough to turn me off. But perhaps things have improved. It would be lovely not to have to go into a busy store and with the cold weather coming I may have to try it again.
    Take care and stay well!

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    1. Eileen,
      Well that sounds totally not doable. Hope they have improved for when it gets colder. Somehow, Walmart has perfected the process. It is amazingly smooth.

      Delete
  10. That's the way I shop these days. I wasn't sure about getting a Walmart superstore in your little town, but now I'm so happy about it. I'm glad you tried it.

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    1. Inger,
      So glad you have had a good experience also. Since Arkansas is the home of Walmart, not many towns don't have a superstore. I am delighted with their service.

      Delete
  11. I am happy that the option was a good one. I go with Buddy and hubby as we all need to get out. We have been lucky yo some extent as mostly there are no crowds. Sadly we have met an occasional dude Whois unmasked and sputtering into his phone. We move quickly to a safer spot.
    That is at the bigger shop. We can opt for out local smaller grocer where hygiene is very high. Noon gets in without temp check mask and gloves and they also do pick up orders. We prefer Togo in. We need the movement for at home we are sitting too much.

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    1. Heidrun,
      I know, I use to enjoy the trips to the store shopping for it was often when I ran into friends. Now, it is just too hard on me as my COPD makes lifting heavy things difficult. I still go in for the things I want to pick out.

      Delete
  12. That is just wonderful. We tried the curbside pick up at Foodland a few months ago and it was a disaster. David had to wait 2 hours for them to find our groceries and put them in the trunk. So, he shops at 2 stores in person and hasn't had a problem. Maria brings us groceries from Costco, so that is a blessing.

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    1. gigi,
      Guess that store hadn't worked through the problems. Walmart has it down to a science, the employees are delightful and the service quick. I never wait more than a few minutes and the order is exact.

      Delete
  13. Kind of weird, but, hey, if you like it, so what if it's weird.

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    1. gigi,
      I really find it wonderful and do like it a lot.

      Delete
  14. Yes ... I have a new way of shopping now too, but I don't go out. I have home delivery (use Food Lion for perishables and Walmart for all the rest) It works really well and especially with Walmart. I order from their web address and they have a 2 day delivery and $35 or over are free. Hard to beat it and, like you, I will probably keep it up after the pandemic.

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    1. Ginnie,
      Haven't tried the home delivery yet as I am not sure they would go this far. However I do enjoy the ride into town and for a few minutes while driving, everything is normal again. I really hope they keep this up for it is delightful.

      Delete
  15. I think it is a marvelous service! My DIL shops for me and has been using the pick up service at the local grocery chain for a couple of months now. Here they charge for delivery but don't for pickup--but have a minimum total of $50, I think it is. Even our Bed, Bath & Beyond has started drive up service, I saw! The more businesses that do it will probably be able to stay afloat! I hope they keep it after, too.

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    1. Rita,
      Isn't it wonderful? I am glad to see other businesses jumping on board. It works and I plan to keep it up as long as they do.

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  16. We don't use it --but both Walmart and Kroger's have gotten good reviews here. I don't think the service will go away after Covid is over... Too many people love it.

    So far, we are still able to get up early on Fridays and go shopping before the crowds are there... I am still not ready to have someone else pick out my produce (since I'm so picky)... Maybe someday, we'll NEED that service --but until that day, we need the extra exercise!!!!!! ha

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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    1. Betsy,
      Me too on produce and meats. That I like to get myself. I use to enjoy walking around the store but lately it has gotten a bit harder to do. especially with the heavy stuff. But then you have George for that:))

      Delete
  17. When all is said and doe, Covid will be responsible for many similar improvements in the way we do things.

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    1. joeh,
      You are right big guy. Some creative minds got to work and made some better ways to serve the public. Me?? I am really happy about it.

      Delete
  18. A couple of years before Covid I started using Wal-Mart's on-line ordering with free home delivery via UPS or Fed-EX on orders of $35 or more. It's great for heavy and or bulky items such as toilet paper, laundry/cleaning products, dog & cat food or litter etc. Although not everything I need is available for delivery but not having to load my purchases into and out of my vehicle is a big help plus going this route cuts down on the amount of time I have to actually spend shopping inside the store..a win win for sure.

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    1. Betty Mc,
      Me too on using delivery before this even. Mostly for things my store no longer carried but they sold on the Internet.
      Then with this pick up addition, it has, like you said, made my shopping time in the store much quicker. Definitely a win.

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  19. I'm glad it is working so well for you. We don't shop at Walmart. Our local Safeway is just three blocks away and they don't offer these services so we just go and do live in person shopping. Everyone wears a mask and it is not very crowded in the mornings.

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    1. Linda,
      Early morning is the best time. So glad that is working for you. You do have a live in heavy lifter in Tom:)

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    2. Glad pickup worked well for you. I tried home delivery with a free trial from Walmart and worked really well. I, too, hope the pick up and home delivery continues after virus but supposed it depends on demand.

      I’m not too keen on new Blogger either as doesn't allow me to copy and paste from Word where I prefer to write my blog posts over many days— much better for me than composing directly on Blogger.

      Delete
    3. Joared,
      Haven't tried the home delivery yet as I am not sure they would deliver this far away and for now, I enjoy the trip out of the house for a while.
      Blogger really, as far as I can tell, made no improvements but just added time and grief to our days.

      Delete
  20. I don't drive so this wouldn't work for me and since my two local supermarkets are less than ten minutes walk away from my home, I can just wander to them whenever I need something. I remember times past when I lived far from shops and had things home delivered.

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    1. River,
      Well you sure have a convenient store but I guess you don't buy a bunch of stuff at a time since you have to carry them. Home delivery does sound good for the large purchases.

      Delete
  21. My husband does the food shopping. He used to be gone forever before Corvid and masks because he loves to chat, especially in the pet food aisle. That has changed. We live a fair distance from Wal-Mart but would use their curb side pick up if we needed to. I'm so glad you found their service just what you needed!💖

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    1. Susan,
      So sorry that your husband doesn't get to enjoy shopping as before. I guess people are not eager to talk to strangers like they use to. No one can see our friendly smiles. I kind of miss that part too.

      Delete
  22. Yep, we've been doing it since March. I get all the packaged stuff for pickup, but we still stop by Whole Foods for produce. Wow - 6AM is early for Senior hours. Ours is at 7. We used to tip the person who brought the order to the car, but about a month ago, they told us they could no longer accept tips. Unfortunately, some of the items on my order don't get filled, so then I have to get them somewhere else.Even so, it's a timesaver, and we don't have to be exposed in the store where there are always a lot of tourists, sometime from states that have outbreaks. Stay well, Patti!

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    1. Barb,
      Me too on produce and meats. Somethings you don't want just anyone picking out for you. I use the substitution option. If they don't have what I want, they will upgrade my order at no extra price. Love that. Also our helpers won't take tips either but love getting a good write up on the "how did we do?" email they send out.
      Thanks and you two stay well also. This service will help us stay that way.

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  23. We don't live any where near them, but we do have a Ralphs that puts the food in your car. I'm trying to get G to try this.

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  24. Here in the UK we are now having home delivery of all our food. I must say I'm enjoying it. :D

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  25. I haven’t tried that yet, but it sure does sound convenient, especially since I discovered on the news last night that the town next to us has a very high number of COVID infections. I’m glad to see people really take mask wearing seriously in our town.

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