Amazon Will Deliver Groceries to Your Car in 15 Minutes

Megalith

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I am kind of torn over this service: while grocery shopping sucks, I don’t like the idea of someone bringing stuff to my car and making me feel lazy and useless, either. Currently being tested in Seattle, these AmazonFresh locations will let Prime members order groceries via app and have them available in as little as 15 minutes for pickup. This is just one way that Amazon is infiltrating brick-and-mortar businesses—it’s going to be surreal driving past all of these branded pop-ups in the future.

Amazon on Tuesday showed off a quick video and landing page for its newest store concept: grocery pickup locations. The stores are still in beta, with only Amazon employees able to use them. The company didn't say when the two stores in Seattle will open to the public, but the locations will only be available for Prime members. Customers will be able to order online or on mobile from thousands of items, including produce, meats, dairy and everyday essentials. Amazon workers will select and bag orders for them, then bring them to customers' cars at reserved times. The company said orders can be picked up in as little as 15 minutes after an order is placed.
 
i want this lol. Damn grocery stores changing their layouts and having support beams in the middle of the aisle. Also, people. Also, 1 register opened with 13 closed and a line all the way into the bakery. Self checkout is really only a half step better than delivery, except you cant buy alcohol with it and god forbid you put something you scanned into your cart instead of on the table first so it can make sure you scanned the correct item, now wait for assistance.
 
i want this lol. Damn grocery stores changing their layouts and having support beams in the middle of the aisle. Also, people. Also, 1 register opened with 13 closed and a line all the way into the bakery. Self checkout is really only a half step better than delivery, except you cant buy alcohol with it and god forbid you put something you scanned into your cart instead of on the table first so it can make sure you scanned the correct item, now wait for assistance.

Or you could just schedule your time to go to the grocery when its less busy. Also self checkout is pretty seamless for me and I have never had the issue you described.

Alcohol is not for sale in groceries here so I cant talk to that, nor would I buy it anyway as the stuff is disgusting.
 
This will kill more jobs than illegal immigrants. Lol! In all seriousness, capitalism as an economic system is by its very nature designed to eliminate inefficiencies. Amazon has the platform and the resources so small businesses and large retailers better be worried.
 
I prefer to pick my own produce, thanks. But I know for certain, Moms love this kind of shit..
 
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When do they start offering escort services? Just academic curiosity.
 
Or you could just schedule your time to go to the grocery when its less busy. Also self checkout is pretty seamless for me and I have never had the issue you described.

Alcohol is not for sale in groceries here so I cant talk to that, nor would I buy it anyway as the stuff is disgusting.

Or I could have it delivered, also my choice.

I work 8-5, so either I have to go late at night (the closest one to me closes at 9pm) or early morning. Basically what I am saying is I am part of the target market for this concept and would enjoy it.
 
I probably spend about 2 hours a week shopping for groceries. As others have pointed out, it's frustrating dealing with store lay out changes, annoying people at the stores (is it just me - or is there always at least one person blocking the aisle...). If I were to pick my groceries and could just drive to pick them up, I'd probably save at least an hour a week (still have to pick from the list and drive to the store). Not bad. Kroger's in my area already has this at a few locations. I haven't used it yet.
I would still want to pick the meat and produce out myself. What's to stop the stock person from just grabbing anything and adding it to your cart?
I also wonder how much Amazon loses from me not "aisle shopping". I know there is a lot of thought placed into the layout of a grocery store. The longer I am in, the more likely I am to add something else to my cart. Maybe I see Oreo's and make a spontaneous decision...or they have a special sale on whatever. Seems like these types of purchases would fall.
I also like the "free samples" - I've discovered certain products and recipes I likely wouldn't have tried otherwise. These likely disappear as well. (I guess Amazon could add samples to your bag - but not sure how efficient this would be for them.)
Summary - I don't mind seeing this and might use it sometimes.
 
I'm always paranoid about them giving you the picked-through veggies and meats that they're trying to get rid of before the date passes.
 
I would be able to support this if this was part of the "Prime Now" ecosystem, as well as "Prime Fresh". That is to say Prime Now is a neat setup IF you live someplace where it is supported, pretty much you can get someone to go to any local business nearby and pick up things for you, including groceries, or carry out etc... for basically no, to very little charge (though its nice to tip the guy) within 2 hours. PrimeFresh seems worthwhile but it comes from Amazon Corporate as it were so you're basically buying exclusively from the Amazon ecosystem.

I personally am extremely particular about where I shop and what items I buy. Now, if this let me PrimeNow style (which sadly, doesn't currently support my location at the moment. Even if you're slightly outside of a a major metro area you're probably SOL) get a delivery from the exact store of my choosing, I'd be all over it. For instance, I shop in order of preference, at an organic/healthful co-op of which I am a member, a smaller organic/healthful market, and Whole Foods. Now, I'd love to shop more at the co-op but its kind of a drive/out of the way, so if I could get Amazon to deliver me a load of groceries from there, that would certainly be worthwhile. I specifically want to support that particular store for a number of reasons. Now, buying directly through Amazon is only useful to me if they carry the products I wish and they are getting better at adding more healthful items, but naturally its the items sold by larger brands and whatnot at first, so its not quite the same as a co-op which it is nice to support in and of itself, plus their ability to buy from smaller, local products that don't have nationwide distribution.

A "pick up location" in and of itself is less useful to me then a full on delivery, unless the "pick up venue" is located in my small town. Otherwise, I'm pretty much still driving a half an hour or more and I'm pretty close to those other grocery stores I mentioned above one way or another, so the only thing I'd be saving was the time actually walking up and down the isles - sometimes it could be a benefit, sometimes less so as that is for me how I find new things to try, checking out what's available, comparing labels etc... on the days I feel like it. So these "pick up" locations are another way to go about it, but I wonder if they're worthwhile compared to expanding AmazonFresh and especially AmazonPrimeNow delivery areas. The latter especially would be useful to me as it would let me support the store of my choosing and get the items I want from that store in a more convenient fashion.
 
"I want you to put it in my trunk" -Driver

"OH, That's where you want me to put it?" - Grocery Boy
 
I wish I lived in a city or at least close enough to one to get all the nifty amazon same day, same hour, 5 minutes from now services.
 
I am kind of torn over this service: while grocery shopping sucks, I don’t like the idea of someone bringing stuff to my car and making me feel lazy and useless, either.
Exactly, just because I am lazy and useless doesn't mean I want to FEEL that way too!

Personally, I like grocery shopping, for some reason the hottest girls are at my store and feel compelled to wear tiny skin tight booty shorts while heavily leaned over their carts and cross-stepping as they walk to get maximum hipsway effect. Plus, half the time I don't even know I want something until I see its on sale and am reminded that would be tasty to prepare.

I was going to praise this as an option for the elderly, but frankly most doctors recommend that no matter how old you are you get a little physical exercise, and walking up and down an isle with the security of supporting yourself on a shopping cart is actually a good thing.
"I want you to put it in my trunk" -Driver

"OH, That's where you want me to put it?" - Grocery Boy
Hah!
 
i want this lol. Damn grocery stores changing their layouts and having support beams in the middle of the aisle. Also, people. Also, 1 register opened with 13 closed and a line all the way into the bakery. Self checkout is really only a half step better than delivery, except you cant buy alcohol with it and god forbid you put something you scanned into your cart instead of on the table first so it can make sure you scanned the correct item, now wait for assistance.

Hmm, that's an interesting way to look at it, was wondering about pros and cons of using such a service, I can see some of the draw now that you put it that way.

The only thing I'm not sure about is how competitive Amazon's prices are for such goods, I sometimes see pretty good deals when there's a special, but generally speaking many of the household products they list on their site has a fair amount of markup.
 
I think this could be a good idea for some people.

In a rush? Order at home, pick up when you get there.
Prevents impulse buys.
Handicapped or otherwise have issues? Perfect. We'll bring it to you.

Some people just don't want to go into the store. They want to get in, get their stuff, and get out. Without the crowd, without people. Just in and out. This saves them a step. Just get there, open trunk, get shit, done.

I wouldn't use it. But, I do know some that would. I really think Walmart and others should come up with something like this. Old grandma needs something? Boom, here's your Depends and Yogurt.
 
I was going to praise this as an option for the elderly, but frankly most doctors recommend that no matter how old you are you get a little physical exercise, and walking up and down an isle with the security of supporting yourself on a shopping cart is actually a good thing.

Gets one practice with walker type devices? haha

Ill save the extra hour I would use at the store outside shooting and walking over to reset targets :D
 
Hmm, that's an interesting way to look at it, was wondering about pros and cons of using such a service, I can see some of the draw now that you put it that way.

The only thing I'm not sure about is how competitive Amazon's prices are for such goods, I sometimes see pretty good deals when there's a special, but generally speaking many of the household products they list on their site has a fair amount of markup.

Agreed, this will really come down to pricing. While avoiding all the hassle is important to me plus time saved, there are limits to how much I am willing to pay for that. Not sure what that limit is right now thought. Might come down to when I look at prices and either decide it is worth it or not.
 
No thanks, I'll pick out my own groceries.

I see this as a way for stores to get rid of picked over produce and meats, along with dented cans and almost out of date milk.
 
I'm always paranoid about them giving you the picked-through veggies and meats that they're trying to get rid of before the date passes.
You are almost guaranteed to get the oldest milk/bread/expiring product first. Years ago, I worked at a store and stocked shelves. The new stuff went in the back - old stuff up front. Most people are lazy and grab the first item in front of them. This should help Amazon (or any other store doing this) decrease product loss from products spoiling.
 
Been using this since they offered it in Miami about a month ago. It's actually pretty nice. For my area they deliver to your home so no pick up needed. My family is lazy as fuck so anything we can do to prevent having to leave the house is a plus.
 
I understand the US is very different but this makes no sense to me. You can't go the grocery store in a fucking city? What am I missing here?
 
I understand the US is very different but this makes no sense to me. You can't go the grocery store in a fucking city? What am I missing here?

Because we tend to think our time is tighter and more valuable than it is :p
 
Fred Meyer (the Kroger grocery store in the Pacific Northwest) has started rolling out something like this called ClickList, you write an order online and select a pickup time, and the store coordinates your purchase (including refrigerated and frozen items), you park in a designated spot, swipe your card, pop your trunk, and never even have to leave your car. It's not "as short as 15 minutes" but you can order in the morning and pick up on your way back from work.
 
Fred Meyer (the Kroger grocery store in the Pacific Northwest) has started rolling out something like this called ClickList, you write an order online and select a pickup time, and the store coordinates your purchase (including refrigerated and frozen items), you park in a designated spot, swipe your card, pop your trunk, and never even have to leave your car. It's not "as short as 15 minutes" but you can order in the morning and pick up on your way back from work.

All of the big groceries here already do it as well.
 
H.E.B. already has curbside pickup....you place your order with them online or via phone call, then you drive to the store and send a text to let them know you're there, and they bring your stuff out to your car. my brother and his wife use this all the time.

i can see this as a time-saver for items your purchase regularly, and also as a way to stop spending as much because you're not being constantly bombarded by product placement & all, but i still prefer going into the store and handling all the stuff myself (especially fresh produce)....except on game days (i'm in a college town), and on holidays.
 
I understand the US is very different but this makes no sense to me. You can't go the grocery store in a fucking city? What am I missing here?

It's just a terrible experience where I live. The lines are long and the aisles are cramped. A simple grocery trip for the week is easily 2-3 hours because of how busy it becomes. Also I am lazy so why not just pay someone to do it for me? My time IS actually more valuable than doing it myself.
 
Minus the 15 minutes pickup our local Krogers have been doing this for a while and we love it. They call it "Click-List". Order online pick a time to pick it up. In and out in five minutes, it's pretty awesome. If they don't have something in stock they will fill the order with another brand and you have the option wether you want it or not.
 
Local HEB has this here. It's hit or miss. Sometimes you end up waiting 20 minutes for them to bring the stuff out and others it's real quick. If you're doing a big shop it's worthwhile but if you just need a few things I think it's still quicker to do it the "old school" way. More options are always better though.

The one service I miss though is grocery delivery. Place an order online and for 5% extra it shows up at your door the next day. They don't deliver to our new neighborhood yet though, waiting patiently.
 
I go shopping with my old man every other week, and we tend to have a good time. I don't mind shopping at all, as long as the ladies aren't involved. Just becomes a hassle at that point.
 
It's a decent idea, but honestly I've found the only way to get some fresh produce, such as Jicama, in a state worth using is to hand select it myself. Unless they find some spectacular suppliers to insure they always deliver a suitable product I don't see me changing my grocery shopping habits. I mean, spoiled Jicama is spoiled no matter how cheap or easy it is to obtain.
 
as others have said, we have local grocery stores have online shopping and you pay $10-15.00 for them to grab them, and bring them to your car. Great for older people or if you are alone and have a kiddo or two.
 
I've often used online delivery services to deliver groceries to my house on the way home after work.

I typically work between 10-13 hours a day, 6 days a week... And commute another 90 minutes... So knowing I'll have a few groceries delivered in the hour I'm home, and awake, is quite nice. I choose to spend my day a week off with the girlfriend, not the grocery clerk.

I cook for a living... I'm not the norm, but chefs typically work 65+ hours a week, so for me, Amazon offering another service I pay a premium for, is quite nice. The thought of buying groceries, when running a kitchen is my fucking job, is pretty meh.
 
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