Grocery store subscriptions for "free" shipping. Do you guys use them?
Grocery store subscriptions for "free" shipping. Do you guys use them?
Walmart (Canada) has started offering subscriptions for "free" shipping for under $10 a month. The cost of gas to go there a few times a month would be more than the subscription fee.
Since I normally bike to get groceries, this isn't really a factor, but the idea of getting groceries shipped over the winter seems like a nice idea.
Does anyone here use these grocery store shipping subscriptions? Is it worth strategically getting it for a few months out of the year?
Do a back of napkin math on how much would shipping cost with your last few trips. If it is more then $10 then it seems good on the surface.
Over the winter, I kind of dread going to stores. It's just not a pleasant experience. $9 divided by at least 4 grocery deliveries in a month seems like it would work to my advantage.
The only real issue is whether they'll pick out poor quality produce, or not. I tend to shop in-store only to ensure that I'm getting fresh fruits and veg. 😂
Here in the States, Walmart+ gives me free delivery on everything, not just groceries. So I use it to have things like toilet paper, soap, deodorant, cat food and treats shipped. If I get delivery from the store, I still have to spend $35 or they charge a fee. There is also a tip for the driver here. You don't have to tip but I like my eggs still in the shell. Produce is hit or miss but meats seem to be okay. It works for me.
Compare the prices online and in store. Some places jack up the prices of products for these services to hide the true cost.
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I usually make a shopping list through their website, then use it while I'm in the store. Prices seem on par, although, availability (in the store) is often hit and miss.
I can't comment on Walmart's version, but it's been a good deal for me on other services.
A possibly hidden cost to keep in mind is there may be a person doing the delivery who survives on tips (if same day delivery is part of the service).
If it's just shipping, it tends to be a good deal because they're just shipping directly to you instead of first to a store, then to you. So they save a lot on the supply end, and cash pass some of that to you.
As someone already mentioned, it's luck if the draw if you order something like fresh fruit, of course.
A possibly hidden cost to keep in mind is there may be a person doing the delivery who survives on tips (if same day delivery is part of the service).
Walmart clearly states no tips, so that's one cost out of the equation.
As someone already mentioned, it’s luck if the draw if you order something like fresh fruit, of course.
Yes, this is my biggest concern. This applies to pick-up orders, too, unfortunately.
Is that also for fresh produce like... apples, tomatoes, meat p.e.? These I'd really like to select myself. Otherwise they'd have to have a good refund policy.
That's my biggest concern, even with pick-up orders. But, they do have a good return policy and will refund you for stuff that isn't to your satisfaction. Is it worth the hassle if it happens with each deliver? That's another story!
I don't typically use grocery store delivery if I can help it. The prices are always high no matter how you cut it. I also suspect that despite the prices being high, the drivers aren't paid enough, so I feel lazy/guilty too.
The one exception has been if I've legitimately been sick, or haven't had a vehicle and I need heavy items I can't manage to carry home in a backpack.
Walmart uses Uber or something, and they auto add a driver tip. You can delete it, I mean you are paying $100 a year for shipping but it's automatically added. Safeway, while their prices if you don't coupon shop are horrible, do have good deals on the sales usually and charge $3.95 to deliver. No sub required.
I tried the Walmart+ after canceling Prime and honestly wasn't super impressed.