Walmart Pickup: My Personal Experience - 8 Pros vs 3 Cons! (2024)

How does Walmart pickup work? This honest review has everything you need to know, with pros, cons, and tips for the best experience possible.

I’ve spent a lot of time in grocery stores, trying to find good deals on real food so my family and I can eat well on a budget.

I’ve been able to share my shopping experiences from all my favorite stores: ALDI, Trader Joe’s, Lidl, and Sprouts Farmers Market, as well as help my readers decide whether a Costco membership is worth it or not.

Recently, though, grocery shopping online has become popular, so I’m here to share with you my personal experience and honest review of Walmart pickup!

HOW DOES WALMART PICKUP WORK?

Walmart curbside pickup is a service that many, but not all, Walmart locations offer. To see if your local Walmart store offers grocery pickup, click here.

The process for Walmart grocery pickup is fairly straightforward:

Step 1: You place your order online, on Walmart’s website or the mobile app, and choose a date and pickup time slot. Make sure you have your preferred location selected. You should get a confirmation email once the order is accepted.

Step 2: Walmart will send notification by email or text message with any issues concerning your order, like substitutions or out of stock items.

Step 3: Walmart will email you and send you a text message when your Walmart pickup order is ready.

Step 4: You tell Walmart you’re on the way, via their mobile app.

Step 5: When you arrive, check-in on the mobile app to tell them which pickup spot you’re located in and the color of your car.

Step 6: An employee brings your groceries out to you and loads them in your trunk. If there were any substitutions or out-of-stock items, they discuss this with you before they load the groceries.

Step 7: You sign their device to acknowledge receiving the groceries and you’re done!

The prices for everything are online and you get an idea of how much your total will be, but if they’re adjusted for weight – as in the case of produce – you’re charged or refunded the difference when you sign your name.

WALMART PICKUP PROS

I confess – I’m a picky shopper. You don’t learn how to feed your family real food on a small budget by having a laid-back attitude when it comes to the food you buy and the money you spend!

However, I’ve had a really good experience with Walmart pickup so far! Here’s what they’ve done well:

• Most items are in stock (pandemic shortages excluded…because, let’s face it, NOBODY had toilet paper!).
• Acceptable substitutions. When an item is out of stock, I receive substitutions that are pretty close to the original.
• Correct orders. Not once has my order been wrong or an item been left out, which, honestly, is a little better than my own shopping track record!
• Free pickup on orders of $35 or more.
• No hidden fees or shopping charges. What you see is what you get. That means it doesn’t affect your grocery budget, and I can certify Walmart pickup as Grocery Budget Bootcamp-approved!
• They remember purchase history. This makes it easy to update and create new orders based on your standard shopping lists.
• You can order non-grocery items. Walmart now has a combined app for all of its products, so it’s easy to pick up extra household items or pet supplies along with your groceries. Just be sure to note them separately from your grocery budget as you track your spending!
• You don’t have to get out of the car. Whether you have toddlers strapped in the back or you haven’t made it out of your yoga pants today, this convenience makes Walmart pick up appealing.

WALMART PICK UP CONS

• Sometimes they’re out of stock of something I need. Prepare to make a quick stop at your local favorites, like Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, or Aldi mid-week to cover your bases if you can’t find a workable substitute.
• You can’t pick the specific produce you want. Sometimes I want wrinkly jalapenos or a perfectly ripened avocado for a spicy vegetarian chili or Tex-Mex Migas this week. Sometimes I want a smooth jalapeno for a pizza topping on Friday. With Walmart pick up, you don’t get to touch and feel the produce to ensure it’s exactly what you want.
• You can’t find markdowns or clearance items. This is a big deal, because this is largely how we were able to get our grocery budget as low as it is. Most markdowns are only available in the store.

HOW TO MAKE WALMART CURBSIDE PICKUP WORK FOR YOU

• Plan meals ahead and make your list. This way, you know exactly what you need, and you won’t buy extras or leave crucial ingredients out.
• Order the day or night before. It’s difficult to get same-day pickup, so plan ahead.
• Leave notes on your order if you want something specific produce-wise; slightly green bananas or ripe avocados, for instance. You’re more likely to be happy with your order.
• Download the app when you make your first order so you can easily check in for your pickup.
• Choose an early morning time, preferably later in the week when the store has been restocked following the busy weekend, for less store traffic and more in-stock items.
• Edit your orders before midnight. Forget something? No problem! Just edit your order before the clock strikes!
• Tell them you’re on your way via the app. That way, your order will be ready to go when you get there.
• Plan to go into the store now and then to search for good deals to stretch your budget.
• Stock up on pantry staples like coffee, canned goods, and pasta, and take advantage of the everyday low prices on these items.

Bottom line: I shop Walmart pickup at least twice a month, if not more often. I buy a lot of our pantry staples there, like dry beans, canned coconut milk, frozen corn, and decaf tea.

There are also a handful of things that we eat every single week – like bananas, oranges, spinach, and spring mix – that I buy from there as well. Knowing that Walmart supercenter has the best price in town for these types of things, using Walmart curbside pickup is super convenient.

WALMART PICKUP FAQS

MORE SHOPPING OPTIONS

Not a Walmart fan? Check out these other Shopping Guides!

• Which Is Cheaper, Costco or ALDI?
• Which Is Cheaper, Walmart or ALDI?
• Ultimate Guide to Shopping at Trader Joe’s
• Ultimate Guide to Shopping at ALDI
• 9 Practical Ways to Save Money at Whole Foods