I have been using Home Depot's ship-to-store for a few years to get things that no one stocks locally.   Not sure how they make money selling me a $3.50 item and package and ship it UPS to the store for me.   But they've always had a staffed register right inside the door (and special parking spots for sts).

 

Even though I try to avoid it, Wal*mart has a similar program.   I used to hate wasting time for someone to get my package.   Last order, there was a giant machine in the front of the store.   You enter your order number and a robot picks it up from inside the machine and brings it to the front, or for larger item, unlocks a locker just to one side.

 

Had a trip to Lowe's today and saw some new signs on the entry door.  Lo and behold, right inside the door was a staffed booth for online order pickup.   The blue vest guy said if it's in the store, they'll pull it and have it sitting there in a little as 20-30 minutes.  (about as long as it takes me to get there).  If not, they'll ship it to you.

 

Was in Kroger a couple of times recently.   They have a huge area, maybe the size of three car garage, for order pick up (I think there's either a charge or a subscription for this.)   On a recent trip, I ran across about three pickers going through the store with these orders.

 

And a friend of my wife's does shop and deliver for Meijer (a MI-based grocery and department store) that will pull your order and drive it to your home for $5 or so.

 

I put in an Amazon order yesterday and one of the options is an Amazon "locker" at the local Whole Foods (now a subsidiary) or several other public places.

 

No wonder the malls are going out of business?

I've been using Advance Auto's, order on-line/pick up at the store far too often it seems lately...All in-store parts are picked and waiting in 30 minutes or less; it takes me 20+ minutes to drive there. Plus I always get a 15-25% discount over walk-in, counter prices doing so.

 

Last order, I clicked on the wrong part (left rear instead of left front brake caliper); wife/daughter picked it up so I had to go back to exchange; figured I'd screwed myself out of the 20% discount...turned out even better than expected; after talking with one of the store managers, he gave me commercial account price less 10% plus no core charge...trusted me to bring core parts back in. He said he really wanted to keep me from going to Autozone...I told him I had a long list of parts I've been pricing from Rock Auto (daughter's van/grand-daughters Jeep); he told me to bring the list in; they would price match Rock Auto at minimum. He said he really, really wanted my business...I told him it's a done deal if you're willing to treat me in this manner. I far prefer Advance Auto/Carquest over Autozone anyway...NAPA is good too, except their hours don't match my needs most times.

27 minutes ago, Grandpadave52 said:

 

No wonder the malls are going out of business?

 

In Castle Rock CO they are building the largest shopping area in the US. It has all the Major Stores and factory outlets. It also has an exit right off I-25, which is one of the busiest interstates in the US. Why? It was started years ago and now is near completion. I do not think it will survive long. Maybe Christmas. I can get more for less on Amazon and Alexia tells me where it is and when it will be delivered.

People now got to a major store, try things on for  size and order from Amazon