Want to know if Walmart Grocery Pickup is worth it? Then read my review and why it’s great for busy moms!
Taking four kids grocery shopping isn’t my favorite pastime.
While I don’t think my kids are usually terrors, sometimes, well, they kind of are.
Because, here’s the thing: my kids love to play, run, explore, and imagine. Which sometimes means that they get carried away in the grocery store. They don’t even realize that they are in fact in a grocery store because they are so far gone into their pretend world. Thus, they are oblivious to people around them and to my pleads for them to stop running and climbing and swinging or whatever they are doing.
Most of the time we get through without anything major happening, and without them causing anyone to trip. They really are good kids (just active).
But, there are some trips where someone has to go potty half-way through our shopping trip. Where I backtrack over and over again within the store because I did not take the time to organize my shopping list by department ahead of time. And sometimes I’m distracted looking for good deals and using coupons that I ignore what my kids are doing…
And sometimes my kids think they need their own little shopping baskets which (every single time) turn into “cars” that they race along the floor, crashing them into each other, shelving, or other people or their carts. Needless to say, I nip the basket idea quickly anymore!
And often, without fail, the baby or toddler that is sitting in the shopping cart, who has been mostly content to get a free ride, is crying at the checkout line, simply because we are at the checkout line. So, I have to shush her, make sure my older kids are being helpful and not just touching everything or begging for a treat or donuts (for “being good”).
When our town got Walmart Grocery Pickup service over a year and a half ago, I tried it out, using my friend’s referral code, and I haven’t looked back since!
The Walmart Grocery Pickup service has spoiled me so much, that now it seems far more overwhelming to drag all the kids grocery shopping (which I often have to do as we homeschool).
Add in the fact that I now have FIVE kids to take grocery shopping, with no local grocery stores that offer double seated carts, and I am completely sold on Walmart Grocery Pickup and am pretty much never going back (well, other than quick trips in to pick up this or that).
Walmart Grocery Pickup Service
Starting in June 2016 I began using Walmart Grocery Pickup at our local Walmart store. I’ve since used it at least monthly if not weekly, most of the last year and a half.
It has completely changed how I go grocery shopping and schedule out my week.
If you aren’t familiar with what Walmart Grocery is, it is a way for you to order groceries online, from Walmart, and schedule a time to pick them up curbside, without ever having to leave your car.
No unbuckling children. No getting out of your car. No need to stand in line or debate on which products to purchase.
Any mother knows that this is an amazing service!
Okay, so I’ve been using this service for quite a while. So here are some things you need to know about Walmart Grocery Pickup.
11 Things to Know About Walmart Grocery Pickup
1. Walmart Grocery is Not Available in All Areas
Even though we’ve had the service here now in Central Texas since the middle of 2016, there are still many Walmart stores that do not offer the Pickup service. You need to check here to see where the closest Walmart is that offers the service. Just enter your zip code! Some stores even offer grocery delivery, where you can have groceries delivered right to your home!
2. There is a minimum order amount required.
In order to take advantage of Walmart Grocery Pickup, your order has to total at least $30.
3. You can pick up groceries as soon as the same day.
In most areas, you can place an order early in the morning and pick it up later that same day. It used to always be the next day, so it’s pretty amazing to get same-day service! Just check what time slots are available on the same day. But, you can also schedule pickups for several days later too.
4. You can only pay with a credit card or debit card.
Unfortunately, you cannot pay with Walmart Gift cards or eGift cards. And most stores do not allow EBT as a payment. And you can’t pay with cash, check or other forms of payment.
5. You cannot use manufacturer coupons.
I love using coupons whenever I can to save extra money, but unfortunately, you cannot currently use coupons with Walmart Grocery Pickup. However, you CAN use the Walmart Savings Catcher app with Walmart Grocery Pickup!
6. The service is FREE and the prices are not marked up.
There is no service charge nor any monthly or annual subscription fees for Grocery Pickup. Nor do they allow for their personal shoppers to be tipped. They only ask that you fill out the survey after you pick up to let them know about your experience.
Walmart Grocery is committed to Everyday Low Prices and they do not charge any markups on their items. The prices online should be the same or better than they offer in-store. If you ever do see a markup on items online versus in-store (it’s happened before), be sure to let your local store manager know as well as on your customer feedback survey.
7. You can make changes to your order.
Did you forget something? Realize you added too many of a specific product? No worries! Walmart Grocery lets you edit your order. You can add or remove items or even change the pickup time or date of your order. You usually have until the day before to make any changes but can see your edit cutoff time when you select “My Orders”.
8. If an item isn’t in stock, they offer substitutions.
Despite being available online for you to add to your order, they don’t always have exactly what you want in-stock.
When you go to pick-up your order, your personal shopper will begin with your substitutions (if there are any), going over what you ordered and what they are offering in exchange. You also have the option ahead of time to select if you will allow for substitutions for various items you order. If you are fine with the substitutions, you’ll keep them and the price will be adjusted in your favor (kept the same if not), and if you reject the items, it will be deducted from your bill and they will restock it for you (free of charge).
You can also ask to see any fresh produce before they put it in your trunk if you are particular about the quality of your produce.
Also, if an item you want is not available online, you can contact customer care and request that it be added.
9. First-time users can use promo code WOWFRESH for $10 off.
If you have never tried out Walmart Grocery Pickup, you can score $10 off your first order with promo code WOWFRESH.
Then you can grab your own personal referral code and encourage your friends to try it. If they do, they’ll receive $10 off their first order with your unique referral code and you’ll receive a code for $10 off your next order of $50 or more too!
10. Placing orders is fast and convenient.
Walmart online grocery is fast and convenient. You can mark various items as favorites for easier shopping next time, look for rollback, shop by departments, or do custom searches. You can easily change the quantity of items and continue to add items to your cart all week before clicking “order” so you don’t forget anything!
Sometimes they even give you special gift bags!
11. Someone else can pick up your order for you.
As I recently had a baby, but was out of some basic groceries, I placed a Walmart Grocery order. My friend offered to pick it up for me and bring it to my house! It was so nice to not worry about strapping five kids into the car and driving across town to get our groceries!
You can also place an order for someone else and have them pick it up. For example, I could order groceries for my mom who lives in Wisconsin, and she could go pick it up. This is a great way to serve people!
There are lots of things to love about Walmart Grocery Pickup, especially from a mom standpoint, but it really fits so great into many people’s lives.
I highly suggest at least trying it. I have a feeling it may just change your life.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Walmart. The opinions and text are all mine.
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Chelsea @ Life With My Littles says
I LOVE using Walmart grocery pickup! I’ve been using it for over a year (ever since I was in the end of my third pregnancy) and it has been a lifesaver!
Wendy says
What if you need household items like cleaning products or shampoo? Do you have to get groceries only?
Katelyn Fagan says
You can order many many non-food items on your Walmart grocery order!!
Cindy C. says
I recently transferred to a Wal-Mart that offers this service and have had the chance to learn how to be a personal shopper. It’s a lot of fun to be able to get customers’ groceries. What I do know and would like to say here is that if we substitute an item, it will be at the same cost or higher, and the customer never pays the difference. For example, if you ordered Great Value oatmeal and we were all out that day, you’d get the next brand up, probably Quaker, from that at no extra charge. Cool, huh?
I love this service! We shop for fresh items as if we were shopping for ourselves. Especially produce.
Rina says
This kinda has me hyped for my first pickup- too bad I didn’t know about the $10 off promo code!
Oh well, maybe I’ll refer my friend- she hates grocery shopping. I don’t mind it, but I live in a big city and am always on a time crunch. Traffic is so bad here I just want to be able to run in and get out- I spend 3-4 hours a week grocery shopping (including the travel time), so if this works out I’m sure it’ll be my new life hack for good. I hope they continue this service- and if more people catch on to it, it’ll improve more and more over time. I’m just imagining how great it will be to pick up groceries before a big storm, or before a party, or just whenever- without stepping into the store at all. Ahh~ bliss! I can’t wait to see how it ends up.
CG says
I have yet to use Walmart Grocery Pickup, but I am filling up my cart now. I know there is a limit you are required to purchase in order to use the service….I am just wondering if there is a limit to how many items you can order? It is difficult for me to make it to the store with my busy schedule so I usually don’t make a trip until I really need a lot of items. Has anyone purchased a whole lot of items at once?
Katelyn Fagan says
That is a good question. I have never read anything about an upper limit, but I would imagine if there is one, it would let you know before you checked out, and that it would be VERY large.
Teresa says
How do you grab your own personal referral code? I just placed and order but didn’t see that option.
Thanks!
Teresa
Katelyn Fagan says
On the desktop on the main page there, there is a navy blue box at the top right of the page that says “Refer & Get $10”. On Android mobile, go to “Account” on the bottom right of the screen, then you will see “Refer & get $10 off” there.
Suji says
There is no Limit – We had someone order 220 items in ONE ORDER….It was maybe 57 Blue Totes xD!
Delta says
I have and needed baby bottles for a shower I was hosting…could only get up to 6 of a single item.
Mmarie Houston says
Then you have to go in other people would like to have things also
A Mill says
I purchased $500 worth of groceries during the 2018 Christmas holiday. I just could not get to the store with everything that I had to do. I had no problem with the exception of an item or two missing it was a great service. I do take issue that in my area same day pick up is often filled; and I have to place my order a day ahead of time in order to get a pick up slot. Other than that Walmart grocery curbside pick up is a Awesome!
Cat says
I haven’t used Walmart’s service yet (Have an order in now) but have used another store that has a fee – I found that skipping the impulse buys more than made up for not being able to use coupons or that store’s service fee.
Plazzy says
Quit having babies, my goodness I hope 5 is enough.
Katelyn Fagan says
I dunno… I make some really cute and awesome little people… I’m not sure five is enough. :p
Emily B says
Babies are a great blessing! From a mom of five, I can completely relate and say that online ordering for groceries has completely changed my life! I only go grocery shopping twice a month and that used to entail at least 3 kids with me, over 2 hrs shopping, and 2 completely full grocery carts! I save time and money shopping online and picking up.
sue says
Love that answer!
Yvette Zamora says
Keep having those babies! Children are a blessing! 😊
Katelyn Fagan says
Thank you Yvette! <3
Alicia says
WOW….
Cait says
LOL!!!! I’ve seen people with one child have a more difficult time in the store than our family with four young kiddos so I think this service is great whether you have zero or a hundred children. For what its worth, is there such a thing as enough babies?! Especially now that I don’t have to drag them into the store, might as well just fill every carseat in our vehicle!
People who make comments like these at least can rest assured our big families are sitting our in our cars relaxing and leaving them and their small families at peace to shop inside 😉
Sue says
MYOB
allan e. says
Overpopulation affects everything and everybody.
Debbie Ann says
Stop being a troll and get a life!
Reney says
Some thing’s to keep in mind and kind of an update here.
Some stores are now accepting the EBT form of payment, idk for sure I guess a card would be used in those supplemental nutrition programs. And top clarify I’m referring to online grocery pickup.
Nothing has changed with coupon policy, obviously coupons can’t be used in online ordering. I am going to try to combine a couple apps on my device see about some extra savings that way. I’ll update y’all if it works out. I think for the most part it’s worth it to try the online pick up for the convenience in particular. Also, awhile back (short version) I was injured and literally could not walk without horrible pain. I tried 1 TIME to grocery shop and it took me hours OMG it was terrible. So. from the perspective of being temporarily physically disabled, I totally understood the significance of the online shopping option. Many people that are handicapped can still drive and now they have the option of enjoying that independence doing theirown grocery shopping. For our oldest population also, I know now how bad your old bones can hurt and hopefully this method of grocery shopping will help those who again, have limited mobility. People I’m not kidding, enjoy your health while you can and please PLEASE try to maintain yourgood health for as long you can. If I could offer a piece of advice on life..to anyone- it would be that. I can guarantee anyone wow, I got a small sample of the crazy challenges that handicapped people face every day of their lives and ya, I have a newfound HUGE respect for oor disabled population. Omg, I will NEVER look at someone and think “they don’t look handicapped I can’t stand people that use the system” etc etc. There are a million things that could be going wrong deep in bones and tissue, a person doesn’t always LOOK injured even though they ARE.
Ok lastly, something I did encounter several times- expiration dates. Make sure you check all of them, I’d advise on all products , just to be safe. If something is amiss call the online grocery dept, btw I wastold they’re completely separate from the store. Hopefully this will help y’all out. And i’ll follow up if I canfind a worthy couponing process!
From Reney
Katelyn Fagan says
Yes! Thank you for your comments! It can be a total life saver for so many! And yes, they accept EBT in only a handful of stores.
Ronda says
I’m wondering why we can’t just present our coupons when we pick up our groceries? If they can return things that have been substituted if we decline them at the pick up, why can’t they scan our coupons at the pick up? Hopefully that will change soon.
Mmarie Houston says
Way too long. No one read. Might be better if you just book this
Bonny Hernamdez says
I live in upstate New York and I have been paralyzed for nearly 2 years now from a rare disease (transverse myelitis). I feel months ago our local Walmart begin offering Online shopping with curbside pick up and let me tell you it has been a life saver! All I have to do is shop online and send one of my hauber’s to pick it up. I usually check the pick up time before I even begin shopping to ensure that I get the time slot that I would like and BTW they DO except snap benefits at this store. You swipe/pay when you pick up. I LOVE this service ♡
Reney says
Excuse any errors. Typing on a phone, and doesn’t everyone need glasses these days? I tend to forget to proof-read before I tap POST. Smh.
Sheesh.
Mike says
Watch the prices closely. I just noticed that prices OFTEN increase after putting item in cart when online shopping. For example, “On the Border” tortilla chips were $2.68 when I bought them in store 3 days ago. Online, I found same bag for same price, until I added them to my cart. Price went up to $2.98
Judy H. says
I’ve been using Walmart grocery pickup for over a year now in NC. I recently moved to SC and the nearest Walmart that offers grocery pickup is 50 miles away. I still drive the 50 miles to use it.
My problem is that I have a favorite item that no local stores sell. Only Walmart. It’s popsicles. I go to the website and it tells me there are 12 boxes available. Because of the distance, I select AND PAY for all 12. But on almost every occasion after I get there, I’m told that they were sold out or there were only 2 boxes available. I drove 50 miles!!
So I’m wondering if the website says there’s 12 boxes available and I actually PAID for 12 boxes up front, shouldn’t they be earmarked as mine and not sold to anyone else in between the time it takes me to get there?? After a 100 mile round trip I feel cheated!
I think the policy should definitely be changed. If someone purchases and pays for an item online, then legally, it should belong to that purchaser so there’s no confusion when someone like me drives 50 miles only to be told that their PAID item has been sold to someone else.
Whitney says
While I TOTALLY understand where you are coming from, they don’t pull your order immediately. They pull them multiple orders at a time (sometimes) and its usually only the day of and even only an hour or few hours before your pick-up time. The number available can drastically change between when you place your order and when they pull your items off the shelf.
Miranda says
I have ordered items and been told when arriving at grocery pick up that they were sold out. I was offered substitutes that I declined. I then went into the store and found the exact items I was just told they were sold out of. I called Walmart grocery and was told they commonly do this so there are always items on the shelf for customers that shop inside the store.
Kynthia Johnston says
I would love to be able to do this for my grandparents, or even have them do it and pick it up, but my grandma still uses checks. She refuses to put her debit card info on the internet as well. It’s a shame Cash, check, or using a card when you get to the store aren’t an option. Maybe they should take a hint from Pizza Hut. Lol! My hubby doesn’t like his card on the internet either, so I choose to pay at the store when we order pizza.
TJ says
I have one credit card that we use for everything internet and always pay the balance before the due date.
Janet says
I just discovered Walmart grocery pick up and I so love it! I have severe arthritis and terrible pain in my feet I can barely stand . Such a blessing to order online, and I too do not like to use debit online, so I did the same as you. I use 1 credit card for online shopping and pay the bill in full every month. Thanks Walmart for offering this service for people like me that have a difficult time shopping, otherwise I’d have to do without most things.
Mike says
You might be able to use a prepaid credit card you get at the store. I believe you can add money to them. That might be an option.
Megan Whitmer says
I’m looking forward to doing this. I also have to drive 53 min away, but luckily I work in that same town so I can pick it up after work. It’s going to be so nice…. I was wondering do they only do food? Could I also order toilet paper, tin foil etc. Do they do toothpaste, deodorant etc.
Janet says
You can order most anything from the store, as far as I could tell. I ordered charcoal today along with my grocery items.
Jeff Biddle says
Any mother knows that this is an amazing service? Do us dads not want to save time and not lug kids through a Walmart? There are a few awesome single dads out here, too. And, yes, WMGP is an awesome service.
Katelyn Fagan says
No offense intended. My husband often does grocery shopping for our family and has done the Grocery pickup a few times too. Dads, moms, old people who’ve never had kids. Anyone can benefit. 🙂
Janet says
yep it is wonderful for everyone!
Juanita Patke says
My husband has been a saint about shopping for me as grocery shopping or really any shopping is not my favorite chore. So I just placed my second order with Walmart and we select the time to pick up. At his convenience. With baking time approaching, got out the recipes and put them on my list. Mother with small children should definitely do this. I remember taking four children shopping and they were good but they were children getting into the car out of the car shopping and then back in the car out of the car and carry groceries in the house. Wow I am tired thinking about that job. Make life easy for yourselves.
Gregg Sanders says
I used the Walmart Grocery app today for the first time. It was very easy to use, and the pick up experience was excellent. This saved me at least an hour of shopping and check out time. If you are used to keeping your grocery shopping list on your phone, and you shop at Wal-Mart then you will love this app. I plan to make this my standard way to do my grocery shopping. I had one small problem with my order, and I called Customer Service, and they quickly resolved my problem, and they exceeded my expectations.
Heather says
I absolutely love it! I hate dragging my kids into the store and I spend less because they dont get to beg for stuff and I dont get tempted by impulse items. Just wish I could use gift cards as my employer constantly gives them out as bonuses. They forgot two items one time and after I got home and realized it they told me to come back and grab it. My store is about 15 minutes away and I was already home and tired and didnt NEED it right away so I told them that and asked if I could come in the morning. They agreed and when I got there they apologized about 10 times and gave me a $20 gift card! Wonderful customer service!
Robert says
I just used grocery pickup for the first time last week, combined with a few walmart.com things (why 2 different apps?) and I loved it. I hope to never have to actually enter a walmart store again.
That said, I was following up on my Savings Catcher today and it reported that they found no savings even though half of the things I bought were on sale at local stores. Anyhow, while talking to the customer service rep I mentioned the note on the walmart.com app stating that savings catcher will be available only through walmart pay, he went on to tell me that after October 29th items ordered and picked up through walmart grocery will no longer be eligible for savings catcher/price matching. This was really disappointing to hear. I hope that I somehow heard it wrong or that his information was incorrect.
Katelyn Fagan says
Yes. I got an email about the upcoming changes for Savings Catcher. I believe you can still use it for price comparison, etc, BUT you have to scan all your items in the app, while shopping in the store, which I am not sure what that means for Walmart Grocery orders.
Here is what my email said about it:
Walmart Pay will be the exclusive way to submit your receipt to Savings Catcher. This will allow you to both submit and spend your Savings Catcher rewards within the same Walmart Pay experience. Due to this change, the ability to scan paper receipts within the app or submit via desktop will be discontinued. Rather than scanning paper receipts using the Savings Catcher scanner after paying, you’ll simply create an eReceipt using the Walmart Pay scanner when paying. Here’s how:
Enroll in Walmart Pay
Use Walmart Pay at checkout to create an eReceipt for submission. This can be done by:
Opening Walmart Pay and selecting which credit, debit, or gift card you’d like to use.
Using Walmart Pay to scan the QR code at the register to generate your eReceipt.
Tap “Submit Receipt” directly from your Walmart Pay confirmation page or from your Savings Catcher dashboard on the Walmart app”
I will see if I can get a definite answer on the Walmart Grocery TC codes no longer working.
Emily says
So, this is separate than in store pickup, right? I am just trying to add a package of socks to my order but I’m thinking I can’t. I can only do the grocery side (which does have a good amount of non-grocery stuff) but it appears no clothing. For the socks I can do the free in-store pickup. Is this your experience? Or is there some way to add anything that is physically in the store to a grocery pickup? Thanks for your help!
Katelyn Fagan says
Store Pickup and Grocery are different. While many items that are in the store are available also through Grocery, not everything is. I am not sure I ever looked for clothing in the Grocery app. It also may vary on location and current stock as to what you can order. In-Store Pickup is done through Walmart.com and may require a few days for it to arrive at your local Walmart for pickup.
Jessica Bishop says
The thing that upsets me with this service is the over usage of unnecessary plastic bags. They have put a single item in a bag multiple times when I order my groceries and I wish there was a way to request the minimum usage of bags or none if possible since whenever I go to the store, I make sure to take my reusable bags. Do you have any insight in regards to this?
Katelyn Fagan says
I agree with you!! I prefer the reusable bags too. I asked about this once and they said they could rebag everything for you into your own reusable bags once you get there… but that takes extra time. They already have things bagged. But, YES. I hate this too. Because you can’t buy reusable bags every week either because then they aren’t so “reusable” and that will get expensive, because I thought of that idea too.
A says
LOVE Walmart Pickup! I’m a full-time grad student working full time and interning, so this has been a lifesaver for me. I can order my groceries at 2am and pick them up after work the next day if I need to!
I understand about the plastic bags, but I believe they bag by aisle/department, so you can save on bags if you stock up on multiple items from the same area of the store. I don’t know about all Walmarts, but mine has a plastic bag recycling bin right by the front door. If you are willing to park and run in for a minute, you can drop them off there!
Penny Cable says
1. It’s nobody’s business how many children she has.
If she and her hubs can afford them and she has the stamina and
mental health to home school 4 and take care of a newborn I
say have at it.
2. A lot of the issues seem to revolve around different ways of runn
running this service. Maybe a little continuity would help.
3. My only “complaints” were my fault because I didn’t have all the
facts…like the substitution works.
4. I love this service! As a person with mobility issues I am so
Walmart has made an effort to address this need.
5. And it has been my experience that the employees have been very
pleasant.
MShield says
I’ve learned that our local Walmart is getting the online grocery service soon. Pretty excited, as I think this will really help us be more efficient at home.
I was checking out the ordering process, and one thing I wish they had was the ability to save your own custom lists. For example, it would be great to make a list called “Pizza Night”. This would include all the ingredients we choose for making pizza. Then when we’re putting together our order, we could just add all items from “Pizza Night”, “Taco Night”, etc. We’d probably have to go through the final list to remove items that we already have (for example, we probably wouldnt need to buy parmessan cheese EVERY time we make pizza.
I know that the FAVORITES feature is kind of like what I’m talking about, but I think customized lists would be a very nice addition.
Katelyn Fagan says
OH! That would be an awesome addition to the app!!
Rhett says
You better look again if you think they aren’t marking up. A 12 pack of Mt. Dews was $3.50 if I went inside it was over two dollars more if I picked it up outside. The store swore they didn’t do this until is I showed them on my phone what I paid. SO NO YOU DO NOT GET THE SAME LOW PRICE ON ALL ITEMS IF YOU ORDER ONLINE PLEASE BEWARE.
Katelyn Fagan says
yes! If you see this, BE SURE TO REPORT IT!! I have found that if you do see this and report it, it will usually change in the system soon thereafter. But, yes. Be watchful! Great catch.
Leslie says
I would love to know how you add items to your completed ord3r. I can change quantities of what I have ordered, hit cannot find anywhere that I can add new items.
Kenneth says
Walmart needs a way to print you shopping list but I do not see one.