I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (2024)

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Curbside pickup got a major boost because of the pandemic as customers avoided going into stores. Experts predict that the shift to online grocery delivery will continue even as the pandemic subsides, and COVID-19 advanced the industry several years. I've been doing curbside pickup at Walmart since the summer using Walmart's app. Here's what it's like. When you open the app, it prompts you to choose your nearest location for pickup, or add your address for delivery. The time slots come in hour-long blocks. At the beginning of the pandemic it was hard to find a spot, but now I rarely need to book more than a day or two in advance to get my choice of time. Once you've selected a time, create your list. The app is organized into sections that change seasonally, like spring produce, but you can also search for items or look through past orders. See what's available, and get suggestions for similar items to picks that are out of stock. Just add enough items to hit the $35 minimum and pickup is free. Once your order is created, you have until about midnight the night before to continue adding to your list. For me, this is one of the most useful features, because I almost always realize we need something else before it's actually time to pick up groceries. A few hours before pickup, Walmart will send a text notifying you about any substitutions or weight adjustments on produce. I've always had good experiences with substitutions that are nearly identical to what I ordered, at the same cost. Once you accept or reject any substitutions, the shoppers start preparing your order. You'll also get a text letting you know your order is ready for pickup. Check-in on the app when you leave home so Walmart has an estimate of when you'll arrive. A side area of the parking lot was marked for grocery pickup. When you pull into a spot the app knows you've arrived and prompts you to enter your spot number and color of your car. My Walmart has about ten pickup spots. I've occasionally had to wait, but the process usually moves quickly. Walmart shoppers use small carts to pull crates with grocery orders. Masked shoppers come up to the driver's window to double-check the name on the order with a handheld tablet that they carry. Then, groceries get loaded into the trunk. Shoppers will usually bag groceries in your reusable bags if you bring them, but I usually just ask them to load groceries into my trunk to save time and bag them myself at home. Sometimes they are more organized in my trunk, but as long as eggs and anything else with the potential to get crushed is supported, I'm happy. I've never had any issues with this. At first, I was unsure about using a grocery pickup service, but now I'm never going back. I love the convenience, especially because I can add things to my order over several days and have them all ready and waiting for me. I also find I avoid overspending on impulse purchases because I'm browsing aisles where I don't need anything, and I avoid purchasing too much of staples because I can look at my pantry as I shop. I see why online grocery orders have exploded over the last year, and I have no plans to go back to shopping in-store on a regular basis. FAQs

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Review by Mary Meisenzahl

2021-04-18T12:56:00Z

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (1)

I started using Walmart's grocery pickup service last summer.
I order through Walmart's app and pickup groceries at my nearest location.
It's my preferred way to shop now, and I have no plans to stop using it.

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Curbside pickup got a major boost because of the pandemic as customers avoided going into stores.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (2)

Experts predict that the shift to online grocery delivery will continue even as the pandemic subsides, and COVID-19 advanced the industry several years.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (3)

Source: Insider

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I've been doing curbside pickup at Walmart since the summer using Walmart's app. Here's what it's like.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (4)

When you open the app, it prompts you to choose your nearest location for pickup, or add your address for delivery.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (5)

Advertisem*nt

The time slots come in hour-long blocks. At the beginning of the pandemic it was hard to find a spot, but now I rarely need to book more than a day or two in advance to get my choice of time.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (6)

Once you've selected a time, create your list. The app is organized into sections that change seasonally, like spring produce, but you can also search for items or look through past orders.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (7)

Advertisem*nt

See what's available, and get suggestions for similar items to picks that are out of stock. Just add enough items to hit the $35 minimum and pickup is free.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (8)

Once your order is created, you have until about midnight the night before to continue adding to your list. For me, this is one of the most useful features, because I almost always realize we need something else before it's actually time to pick up groceries.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (9)

Advertisem*nt

A few hours before pickup, Walmart will send a text notifying you about any substitutions or weight adjustments on produce.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (10)

I've always had good experiences with substitutions that are nearly identical to what I ordered, at the same cost.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (11)

Advertisem*nt

Once you accept or reject any substitutions, the shoppers start preparing your order.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (12)

You'll also get a text letting you know your order is ready for pickup.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (13)

Advertisem*nt

Check-in on the app when you leave home so Walmart has an estimate of when you'll arrive.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (14)

A side area of the parking lot was marked for grocery pickup. When you pull into a spot the app knows you've arrived and prompts you to enter your spot number and color of your car.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (15)

Advertisem*nt

My Walmart has about ten pickup spots. I've occasionally had to wait, but the process usually moves quickly.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (16)

Walmart shoppers use small carts to pull crates with grocery orders.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (17)

Advertisem*nt

Masked shoppers come up to the driver's window to double-check the name on the order with a handheld tablet that they carry.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (18)

Then, groceries get loaded into the trunk.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (19)

Advertisem*nt

Shoppers will usually bag groceries in your reusable bags if you bring them, but I usually just ask them to load groceries into my trunk to save time and bag them myself at home.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (20)

Sometimes they are more organized in my trunk, but as long as eggs and anything else with the potential to get crushed is supported, I'm happy. I've never had any issues with this.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (21)

Advertisem*nt

At first, I was unsure about using a grocery pickup service, but now I'm never going back. I love the convenience, especially because I can add things to my order over several days and have them all ready and waiting for me.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (22)

I also find I avoid overspending on impulse purchases because I'm browsing aisles where I don't need anything, and I avoid purchasing too much of staples because I can look at my pantry as I shop.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (23)

Advertisem*nt

I see why online grocery orders have exploded over the last year, and I have no plans to go back to shopping in-store on a regular basis.

I tried Walmart's grocery pickup and now I'm never going back to shopping in store (24)

Do you have a story to share about a retail or restaurant chain? Email this reporter atmmeisenzahl@businessinsider.com.

FAQs

What happens if I don't pick up my Walmart grocery order? ›

Frozen and perishable items such as produce are stored at the correct temperature until you pick up your order. If you don't pick up the order by the end of the day, the store cancels your order the next day. This releases the authorization hold on your payment method. You can reschedule your timeslot, if needed.

Read The Full Story ›

Can you cancel a Walmart pickup order? ›

Absolutely yes, you can cancel a Walmart pickup order through their website.

View Details ›

Why would Walmart cancel my grocery order? ›

We may have canceled your order because:

it exceeded our rules for quantity limits and bulk purchases. an item is out of stock. our webpage had price and other listing errors. our Credit and Fraud Avoidance department needs more information.

See Details ›

How do Walmart curbside returns work? ›

Items that are curbside eligible will show curbside as a return method. Once curbside is selected, review the assigned store and select "Change" if you wish to return the item to a different location. Once you're ready, check in with the app to let us know you're on the way.

Learn More Now ›

Are you supposed to tip Walmart grocery pickup? ›

Are you supposed to tip a Walmart curbside pickup? No. They are paid employees delivering a service that the business has chosen to provide.

Get More Info Here ›

How long does Walmart cancellation take? ›

How much time does it take to cancel a Walmart order? Order cancellation takes a few minutes whether you do it through the Walmart app or website. The order will be canceled within immediate effect given that you could do it within the cancellation time window.

Learn More ›

How do I contact Walmart to cancel my online order? ›

If the “Request Cancellation” button isn't available, you still have options. If you've just missed the deadline, you might still try canceling through Walmart customer service. You can call them directly at 1-800-925-6278 (1-800-WALMART) to see if they can stop the order.

Tell Me More ›

How do I cancel an online order? ›

Make sure to include your name, email, phone number, confirmation number, order items, order number and a reason for the cancellation. Call the customer service number provided on the confirmation email or order page. This is faster than email if the website has a 24-7 customer service line.

Keep Reading ›

Do Walmart drivers see how much you tip? ›

Before drivers accept an order, the app shows both their base pay and the customer's offered tip. But that tip can change over the course of 24 hours.

Why did Walmart cancel my order due to location? ›

What does it mean when Walmart sends me this, "flagged due to location restrictions on placing and shipping orders"? It means they cannot sell that product in your location. Federal, state or local laws.

Get More Info Here ›

Why did Walmart flag my order? ›

If your order is flagged, it means some of the information on your order is suspicious, or that your profile matches that of a similar fraud order we've previously seen.

Learn More Now ›

How do I reorder a cancelled order on Walmart? ›

To Reorder All Items from a Past Order:

Select Account.
Select Purchase History.
Scroll to the order you want to duplicate.
Select View Details.
Select Reorder all.
Use the - or + quantity buttons to add or remove items from your order.

Find Out More ›

What cannot be returned to Walmart? ›

Items That Cannot Be Returned

Prescription medications.
Hazardous materials.
Firearms, ammo, fireworks, explosives.
Perishable goods.
Gasoline-powered equipment. Walmart has a specified list of gasoline-fueled products which are non-returnable, encompassing dirt bikes, go-karts, scooters, and ATVs.

Jul 31, 2023

Learn More Now ›

How do I reschedule a Walmart return pickup? ›

To reschedule an order:

Log into your Walmart.com account.
Select Account.
Select Purchase history.
Find the order and select View details.
Select Reschedule. You can only reschedule an order once.

Explore More ›

How to cancel return in Walmart app? ›

To cancel InHome return pickup:

Select Purchase History and locate the order with the item(s) that you set up the return for. Select Cancel return.

Learn More ›

What happens if I don't pick up my Walmart photo order? ›

WALMART IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PRINTS OR MERCHANDISE WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN PICKED UP MORE THAN 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF YOUR ORDER.

Know More ›

Why is Walmart charging a pickup fee? ›

Why Is Walmart Charging for Pick Up? Walmart charges a fee for pickup orders to help cover the costs associated with preparing and packaging the items.

What happens if Walmart loses your order? ›

If we charged you for the item but it's missing from your delivery, select the Chat with us button. If your entire order is missing, check the delivery confirmation photo. Do you recognize the doorway in the image? If it's the wrong house, check your address in Google Maps to see if the rooftop pin is correct.