The process is fairly simple, you set up the application on your phone with your loyalty card and payment information. Next you select your items to purchase and select a pick-up time. When your pick-up time arrives you go to the Clicklist parking area and dial the number displayed in your parking space. When the attendant answers they will ask your name and the number of your parking spot. Within a few minutes, they are bringing the groceries out to your car. Since I consider grocery shopping a necessary evil, I loved the process!
It went so well, I wondered if Walmarts service worked the same. I was also curious how the prices would compare as I have often shopped at Walmart for groceries in the belief that the prices are lower than traditional grocery stores. I installed the Walmart Grocery app. Next, I selected the same items on both the King Sooper and Walmart apps. To my surprise the prices on food items between King Sooper and Walmart were pretty much the same.
If you are considering using one of these services, I've provided you a comparison of the two services and their phone app to help in your decision process:
- Searches-Shop by favorites, department, word search or scan. Both King Sooper and Walmart allow all of these ways to shop in their app. With the Walmart app you will need to mark your favorites the first time by clicking on a heart. King Sooper uses purchases through your loyalty card to determine your favorites.
- UPC Scans- You can scan the UPC code on the product through the app to find the item in both King Soopers and Walmart apps. This is helpful if you are having trouble finding the item through a word search.
- Store Preference- You can set your preferred store location in both apps.
- List or Cart- The King Sooper app allows you to add items to a list or a cart. The list of items is organized by the aisle location. This is helpful if you intend to physically go to the store instead of ordering through their app. Walmart only has a cart option.
- Pick up Times- Reserving a pick-up time is required in both applications. King Sooper requires a 4-hour advance notice to pick up. Walmart ran out of same day pick up times when I tested the service so orders would have to be picked up the next day. However, Walmart also has a delivery service in addition to their pick up that might work instead. I didn’t test the delivery services.
- Fee- King Sooper charges a fee of $4.95 per pick up. The first three times you use the app for pick up are free. Currently, Walmart doesn’t charge a fee. Walmart does have a $30 minimum purchase requirement which I haven’t seen in the King Sooper app.
- Coupons- King Sooper has digital coupons built into their app as well as the weekly ads. This will only work for King Sooper coupons, not coupons from the newspaper. Walmart doesn’t appear to have the ability to use coupons, nor does it show weekly ads.
- Price- The current price of each item is shown in both applications. King Sooper’s app contains a disclaimer that the price could change prior to pick up. Both apps also keep a running total so you know exactly how much you are spending. I really like this feature as I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked into a store planning to spend $100 and walked out with $200 of groceries. With the app, I have a very good idea of what I’m spending. It’s also more difficult to impulse buy with this services.
- Substitutions- The King Sooper app allows you to indicate if you will allow them to substitute a similar item if they don’t have your selection. One time I order zucchini squash and they substituted with organic zucchinis as they were out of regular zucchinis. This feature is not in the Walmart app.
- Special Instructions- King Sooper’s app has a place to indicate special instructions. I haven’t used it, but I assume you could indicate preferences like wanting a cantaloupe that is still green. Walmart doesn’t have this feature.
- Gas Points- Your gas points for your purchases are tracked in the King Sooper app. As Walmart doesn’t award gas points, this feature is not in their app.
- Pictures- Both apps show a picture of the item which helps to ensure you are buying the right item.
- Quantities- Both apps allow you to indicate the number of the product you want. The first time I used the King Sooper app, I wasn’t paying attention so I ordered one zucchini when I would have picked up four if I was physically shopping.
- Deli- Limited deli items are available through King Soopers app. For example, I can purchase mesquite turkey slices but the honey turkey slices are only available in the store. Walmart did not have any deli items available.
