Google Express Bringing Delivery Service to Upstate (Greenville: home, purchase)

[USNRET04]

The service aims to challenge Amazon, and in particular Amazon Prime Now, the online retailer’s same-day delivery service that’s live in major cities around the U.S. for Amazon Prime customers.

What makes Google Express different is its retailer lineup. In most cases, it’s partnering with national retailers who either haven’t yet figured out e-commerce, or only offer delivery through more traditional means – not one-day delivery.

While the retailers will vary by region, some of the brands working with Google include Costco, Whole Foods, Kohl’s, PetSmart, Sur La Table, Fry’s, Road Runner Sports, Walgreens, L’Occitane, Payless ShoeSource, and Guitar Center.

Customers can either pay for a $10 monthly membership and receive free delivery when the order meets the per-store minimum ($15 in most cases, but some require an order of at least $35), or pay each time you shop starting at $4.99 per store. New members can try the service for 6 months free.

I've checked and it is working in most Greenville area zip codes. I'm sure the area is larger than that, I just didn't want to keep typing in zip codes! Check to see if you are in the delivery area:

https://www.google.com/express/u/0/

[russwd]

That's interesting... thanks for posting this as I had not heard of it.

A couple observations...

No matter what zip i put in, including a zip for the NC mountains, it tells me Terrific! Deliveries come to my zip. Digging deeper it seems that your location and the store you are shopping at determines shipping speed. So I guess you have to build an order before you will know if you can get it same day or not. Shipping varies between same day, next day, or 2 day. Shipper could be local carrier, Fedex, or UPS.

When I went to Costco there was a message at the top that said Items price may be higher than in store. This strategy has been used by restaurant delivery for a while... so not only are you paying a delivery fee or subscription but you are paying higher item prices as well. This obscures the true price for delivery. This may not be true for all the stores on Google Express as I have not had time to price match anything yet.

Did I miss anything?

[USNRET04]

You seem to be right russwd.

As for Costco, I checked their prices of a few things that I always purchase and they were the same as B&M. As you fill your cart from Costco, it says they will verify Costco membership at checkout.

[imkrystai]

I haven't heard of Google Express yet - very interesting! I use Amazon Prime for streaming video & music and take advantage of their free 2 day shipping all of the time - but generally that's on items I don't need right away (don't even get me started on their buttons, BEST THING EVER).

Have you also heard of Shipt? When they first came to Greenville I signed up for them for a discounted year membership. I think usually they run about $14/month (similar to Google) & they also have same day delivery, usually within a couple hours. The only store I think Greenville has available through Shipt is Publix. Some prices are a bit higher but I actually found that I was always spending way more in store than via Shipt - probably because on Shipt I only order what I need. Similar to Google delivery is free if it is over $35 and the shopper will bring the groceries in & unload them for you - for that I do tip. I don't use it often but it has helped me in a pinch when I have zero time to hit the store or am coming home from travelling and want to just have things there when I get back.