As a busy professional and parent, I‘m always looking for ways to save time on everyday errands. That‘s why I‘ve become a huge fan of Walmart‘s store pickup service. It allows me to shop online and get my groceries and household essentials without having to browse the aisles or wait in a checkout line. Plus, I can avoid shipping fees and order at my convenience from anywhere.
One of the best features of Walmart pickup is the ability to designate someone else to get your order. We all know life can throw curveballs at the last minute. Maybe you get stuck in a meeting that runs long or your child wakes up with a fever. The last thing you want is to miss your pickup window and have to reschedule. Walmart solves this by letting you add an alternate pickup person to your order. It‘s a simple process that provides even more flexibility.
The Popularity of Curbside Pickup Is Skyrocketing
The demand for curbside pickup had already been growing steadily in recent years. But the COVID-19 pandemic kicked it into high gear as shoppers sought out contactless ways to get necessities. Walmart reported that use of pickup services quadrupled in 2020 and remained elevated even as restrictions eased.
According to a 2021 survey by Insider Intelligence, nearly 68% of US consumers had tried curbside pickup. Adoption was highest among millennials at 78%, followed closely by Gen X at 75%. Even baby boomers increasingly turned to store pickup, with half saying they used it in the past year.
Walmart quickly adapted to this surge in popularity by expanding availability of pickup slots and adding more locations. Prior to 2020, pickup was limited to a 4-hour window between 8 am and 8 pm. Walmart now offers 12 hours of pickup time slots from 7 am to 7 pm. The number of stores with pickup also grew from around 3,000 to over 4,700 locations.
Other major retailers have taken notice of this demand and invested heavily in their own curbside offerings. Target, for example, offers store pickup at nearly all of its 1,900 US locations. Kroger provides free pickup within 4 hours on orders over $35 at over 2,200 stores.
While each retailer has its own policies and procedures, the overall process is similar. Customers shop online, select an available pickup time, and get an email when their order is ready. At the store, customers park in a designated spot and an associate brings out their items and loads them into the vehicle.
Why You Might Need to Change Your Walmart Pickup Person
Even with the best planning, stuff happens that can derail your day. Some of the most common reasons you might need someone else to pick up your Walmart order include:
- Work conflicts: An urgent task or meeting comes up that you can‘t miss or reschedule
- Illness: You or your child are not feeling well and don‘t want to leave the house
- Family emergency: A relative needs help and you have to change your plans
- Transportation issues: Your car won‘t start or you get a flat tire on the way to the store
- Bad weather: A storm or heavy traffic would make it difficult to get to Walmart safely
Whatever the reason, Walmart‘s alternate pickup person option means you don‘t have to cancel your order entirely. You can simply have a friend, neighbor, or family member get it instead. It‘s a win-win because you still get your items and Walmart doesn‘t lose the sale.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Walmart Pickup Person
Now that you know how convenient it is to have a backup person for pickup, here are the details on adding them to your Walmart order:
During Checkout
- Shop on Walmart.com or the mobile app and add items to your cart
- Choose the Pickup option and select an available day and time slot
- Enter your contact and payment information on the Checkout page
- Look for the "Pickup person" section and click "Add alternate pickup person"
- Enter their name and mobile phone number, then click Save
After Placing an Order
- Sign in to your Walmart account and go to Purchase History
- Find the order you want to change and click "View Details"
- Under Pickup person, click "Edit"
- Click "Add alternate pickup person"
- Enter their name and number, then click Save
It‘s important to note that it can take up to 4 hours for the new pickup person to be added to the system. If you make the change close to your pickup time, it‘s a good idea to call the store directly to let them know.
Also be aware that Walmart requires the pickup person to show a valid photo ID that matches the name on the order. So double check that you enter their name correctly to avoid any issues. Some customers have reported that the system can be picky about formatting, so it‘s best to enter the name exactly as it appears on their ID.
Tips for a Smooth Walmart Pickup Experience
To make the most of your Walmart pickup, keep these expert tips in mind:
- Order early: Pickup time slots can fill up fast, especially on weekends and holidays. Try to place your order at least a day in advance for the most options.
- Check in on the app: Walmart‘s mobile app allows you to "check in" when you are on your way to the store. This notifies associates so they can have your order ready when you arrive.
- Double-check your pickup location: Walmart allows you to select which store you want to pick up from. Make sure you choose the right one, because you cannot change the store once the order is placed.
- Ask for EBT-eligible items to be bagged separately: If you are using EBT SNAP benefits to pay for part of your order, ask the associate to bag those items separately. This makes it easier to swipe your EBT card first, then use another payment method for the rest.
- Give feedback: After you pick up your order, you‘ll receive an email asking you to rate your experience. Letting Walmart know what went well and what could be improved helps them continue to refine the process.
Is Walmart Pickup Worth It?
As an avid Walmart shopper and working mom, I can confidently say that pickup is a game-changer. The ability to shop at any hour and schedule a pickup when it‘s convenient has saved me countless hours. I also appreciate being able to stick to my list and budget without the temptation of in-store displays and promotions.
But you don‘t have to take my word for it. Thousands of customer reviews echo the same sentiment. On Consumer Affairs, Walmart Pickup has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Many reviewers praise the ease of ordering, friendliness of associates, and overall efficiency.
Of course, like any service, there is always room for improvement. Some common complaints include out-of-stock items, longer-than-expected wait times, and occasional order mix-ups. However, Walmart is investing heavily in technology and associate training to address these issues.
Recent upgrades include the acquisition of Alert Innovation‘s Alphabot system, which uses autonomous carts to retrieve items in the back room and bring them to associates for pickup. Walmart is also piloting automated pickup kiosks and express lanes to speed up order handoff in high-volume locations.
It‘s clear that store pickup will only continue to grow in popularity as shoppers prioritize speed and convenience. With the ability to designate an alternate person, Walmart stays one step ahead in making the process as flexible as possible. Whether you‘re a busy professional, a caregiver, or just someone who wants to simplify their errands, Walmart pickup is definitely worth considering.
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