Super Walmart

By Janet White - December, 2020

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Once upon a time in the year of two thousand and twenty, there lurked a monster, a behemoth in all the cracks and crevices of our lives. This “thing” was in every corner of the world. Let’s zoom into one of those corners, mine.

I live in Coconut Creek, Florida. My life has changed very little. As lockdowns became the norm and trips to the empty groceries were the big outings of the day; people started to get a little stir crazy. Me not so much. The only thing that ended for me was no more trips to San Francisco or Austin.

When Nancy sent us our yearly story reminder I was blank. Nothing had happened all year, nothing was new and there was nothing of interest to talk about. Days went by, and I had nothing to share. I kept asking myself, “What are you doing that is new? What are you passionate about? What is new in your life?” And then, BOOM, it hit me. I do have something new that I am passionate about. And guess what, it’s about another behemoth but a good one.

Are you ready.........WALMART!

Specifically it is Walmart pick up. I hated the grocery. Their prices were soaring and their shelves were bare. So I got the Walmart grocery app and got started. It is absolutely the greatest thing since sliced bread which by the way they sell for 88 cents! Since my phone is always within reach I added items every time something I needed popped into my head. Then once a week I would place my order. You get to pick the day and the time. I usually do Fridays at 3:00 pm. They also let you check "yes" or "no" whether you want substitutions. If you only want one brand you would check no substitutes for that item. If they don’t have the size you ordered they substitute a larger size but don’t charge the higher price. I now have enough soy sauce for the rest of my life!

Size is something I have to be more careful with. The pictures are deceiving. I ordered Quaker Oats in the canister. I was shocked when the container was almost the size of a kitchen stool!!! Same thing with the Corn Flakes - huge. But I’m learning to be more careful. The prices are so cheap you wouldn’t think the container was that big.

The first time I picked up my order it was amazing. The service is free. Around 2:45 they texted me that my order was ready and to check in when I was on my way. They also told me a few items they substituted and asked if they were ok. They were. So I got in my car and tapped the check in . Immediately I got a text that said, great we’ll see you in 7 minutes. How did they know I lived 7 minutes away. I arrived to their special parking area where the pick up was. Before I had completely gotten into my parking space they texted me, great, you’re here. We will be right out. You also tap on the color of your car. So I popped my trunk and this happy super nice guy comes out with a rolling pallet with all my groceries. He confirms my name, loads the groceries into the trunk of my car and tells me to have a great day. All this took less than 5 minutes. I was amazed.

Each week there is usually a little surprise like a substitute that was a new product. It is fun to unpack everything since I didn’t shop. They do an A+ job and get it right every time. The prices are so much cheaper and the selection is huge. I was never much of an in store Walmart shopper. Too big and too hard to find things. But this service is the best and their technology is so advanced.

The Walmart.com is just as good. I did in store pick up there and was just as impressed. There is a giant floor to ceiling tower.

You walk up to it press a code, hear strange noises and then like magic the doors open and there is your item. You grab it and go. No human contact at all.

So now you know how I’m handling these trying times. I love this service. It makes me happy. I’m in my car playing music while a week’s worth of groceries gets loaded. Fantastic. What a company. I LOVE WALMART.

Merry Christmas to all.

Love,

Janet

PS: I leave you with eight interesting facts about Walmart: