A Note About Garden Grocer

[Mary2e]

I placed an order 1 month early with Garden Grocer because I wanted to make sure I would get my preferred delivery date, which is a Saturday in the late afternoon or evening.

I was charged immediately for the order.

Since placing it some of our plans changed and I revised the order removing about $30-$35 worth of items and adding a few considerably less expensive items.

I was expecting a refund of at least $20. After waiting 2 weeks I wrote them and was told I would get the refund after the order is complete. Basically, that means after delivery.

They also do not send an updated list of items purchased, which will make it difficult to tell if everything is there.

In the future I will simply place a small order to hold my date/time and then add to it, which must be done via email.

It's a great idea and a convenient service, but I really have to question why they need our money at order and will not refund when changes are made.

I'd like to give a heads up on other boards where people may be discussing GG - any ideas which others? The resort board? DVC boards?

 

[terri01p]

This would be a great heads up over on the resort board, I read all the time about folks ordering from them.

Also the disney tips board because they are always after the best way to do things. Thanks for letting us know.

 

[Mary2e]

Thanks. I did just that.

 

[fla4fun]

I have to play Devil's Advocate on this one for a minute. Consider how many times people change their resort reservations and ADR's. Odds are, people would be changing their grocery orders many times as well. Each time a company charges (or credits) your credit card, they have to pay a fee to the cc company, typically a percentage of the total. That doesn't include having to hire an extra person or two to take care of the volume of charging and crediting that could have to be done.

As far as why they take the money up front, how many people here on the DIS talk about wanting to get as much paid for as possible before the trip, so they don't have to worry about it? Also, since they leave the goods without having to see the guest, they would want to make sure the card was in good standing and would not be declined at the last minute. Also, there would be fewer problems with people placing huge orders, and then cancelling at the last minute. I don't know what their lead time is to fill orders, but with food as expensive as it is, they wouldn't want to fill an order only to have the guest cancel. That type of behavior is a lot more prevalent when you don't have to pay up front.

I think the idea of starting with a small order, and then adding items, would be better for both parties than starting large and trying to reduce. It could be worse - they could have a policy that there are no changes at all, and that would be a shame.

 

[Mary2e]

I have to play Devil's Advocate on this one for a minute. Consider how many times people change their resort reservations and ADR's. Odds are, people would be changing their grocery orders many times as well. Each time a company charges (or credits) your credit card, they have to pay a fee to the cc company, typically a percentage of the total. That doesn't include having to hire an extra person or two to take care of the volume of charging and crediting that could have to be done.

As far as why they take the money up front, how many people here on the DIS talk about wanting to get as much paid for as possible before the trip, so they don't have to worry about it? Also, since they leave the goods without having to see the guest, they would want to make sure the card was in good standing and would not be declined at the last minute. Also, there would be fewer problems with people placing huge orders, and then cancelling at the last minute. I don't know what their lead time is to fill orders, but with food as expensive as it is, they wouldn't want to fill an order only to have the guest cancel. That type of behavior is a lot more prevalent when you don't have to pay up front.

I can agree with this,but they could also do business like most other internet retailers - charge when the item is shipped. In this case, a few days before the delivery - even a week before. Or, take a deposit upon order and the balance a few days or a week, before delivery

Taking money when the order is placed, particularly when they keep saying "reserve now to get your preferred delivery time" just isn't right. They've had $250 of my money for a month and I'm still not there yet

I think the idea of starting with a small order, and then adding items, would be better for both parties than starting large and trying to reduce. It could be worse - they could have a policy that there are no changes at all, and that would be a shame.

In the end, this is really the point I was trying to make. Place a small order to hold your spot and then add to it a week or so before you actually go.

 

[terri01p]

Taking money when the order is placed, particularly when they keep saying "reserve now to get your preferred delivery time" just isn't right. They've had $250 of my money for a month and I'm still not there yet

250.00 Goodness grief sis what are ya eating, it better be good ?

 

[Mary2e]

Mostly fresh fruit, melons, veggies, meat, etc. For breakfast we have cottage cheese, cereal, fresh berries, english muffins & cream cheese.

The meat is mostly chicken with a few steaks thrown in. The idea is to cook up everything in one shot on the grill and have it for 3 or 4 lunches. We'll eat the steaks the night we grill up everything else.

When you add in all the side dishes, plus coffe, milk, etc. it really does add up.

I'm afraid to add it up, but I think just the fruit and melons is nearly $75

I wish I could say there's a lot of junk food in there, but I just looked, and there's a sole package of Pringles to snack on.

While I think the prices for food is about par with my local grocery store for most things, I believe we're paying a premium for the fruits & melons -a big premium.

 

[tim5055]

Taking money when the order is placed, particularly when they keep saying "reserve now to get your preferred delivery time" just isn't right. They've had $250 of my money for a month and I'm still not there yet

Sorry, but I do think it's right. The delivery business to Disney is such a small part of their business model that it would not be worth their while to make a different way of billing for resort folks.

Here is their delivery area:

Lake, Osceola, Orange, Polk, Brevard, Seminole, Volusia, & Flagler Counties in Florida. We also offer delivery to ALL Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Hotels and Resorts as well as to area college campuses!

As you can see, they do business in a lot more areas than just the resorts. I would figure that resort people who may place an order weeks in advance are the minority of their customers. I would guess that most of their customers order a few days in advance, so immediate billing works best.

But, when it comes down to it you have a choice, use them or not. If you don't klike their billing practices Publix is just down the road, you can go there. JMHO, YMMV

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I'm thinking one package of Pringles isn't gonna do it. You need to shift the balance a little more in favor of the junk food. Fruit and veggies? What the heck is that? If I ate 75 bucks worth of that my colon would think it was being robbed. Steak and Pringles - that's what ya need.

 

[Mary2e]

Sorry, but I do think it's right. The delivery business to Disney is such a small part of their business model that it would not be worth their while to make a different way of billing for resort folks.

Here is their delivery area:As you can see, they do business in a lot more areas than just the resorts. I would figure that resort people who may place an order weeks in advance are the minority of their customers. I would guess that most of their customers order a few days in advance, so immediate billing works best.

Perhaps then, they should stop with the "place your order now to get your preferred delivery" lines at the top of their pages. How about the continuous "all our delivery slots are filled for XXXX date'?

FWIW - I think resort people are a lot of their business. Just look around here and see how many people have placed or are placing orders.

But, when it comes down to it you have a choice, use them or not. If you don't klike their billing practices Publix is just down the road, you can go there. JMHO, YMMV

My point was to give people a heads up to just order a small amount to hold their spot and to increase as necessary. One person posted they placed their order for October. So that means GG is getting a 3 month interest free loan. No reason for that.

I don't like their billing practices and have found a work around. I'm too lazy to go to an unfamiliar supermarket. My vacation time is worth more than that.

Sheesh.... I really didn't intend my post to be a debate.

 

[Mary2e]

I'm thinking one package of Pringles isn't gonna do it. You need to shift the balance a little more in favor of the junk food. Fruit and veggies? What the heck is that? If I ate 75 bucks worth of that my colon would think it was being robbed. Steak and Pringles - that's what ya need.

It's going to be blazing hot and we're probably going to go through all that fruit. There aren't that many veggies Plus, like I said, I think GG is overpriced for fresh fruit and melons. The veggies are comparibly priced. Not that it really matters, we only have enough for a dinner or two

Junk food is consumed in the parks. Mickey Premium bars (or Mickey Pops, as my husband calls them) will be enjoyed in large quantities

 

[2goofycampers]

It's going to be blazing hot and we're probably going to go through all that fruit. There aren't that many veggies Plus, like I said, I think GG is overpriced for fresh fruit and melons. The veggies are comparibly priced. Not that it really matters, we only have enough for a dinner or two

Junk food is consumed in the parks. Mickey Premium bars (or Mickey Pops, as my husband calls them) will be enjoyed in large quantities

If you get over to the Beach Club check out the kitchen sink at Beaches & Cream, after that you may not need to eat the rest of the trip.

 

[Mary2e]

Sorta like having the Tonga Toast at the Poly. It kept us full for at least a day!

 

[cajunpeach]

It appears there is a cash on delivery option if you don't want to pay when you place the order. Taken from their website:

"Cash on Delivery" (COD): As is the case with "Print & Call", if you chose "COD" when placing your order, you will receive a (numbered) online invoice & purchase summary. You must contact GardenGrocer by phone (toll free) within 24 hours to schedule your delivery & discuss payment details. Deliveries cannot be scheduled without payment arrangements. Please keep in mind our driver will not be equipped to change large bills ($50 & $100 bills). American currency only.

 

[Mary2e]

I saw all that. However, they don't clearly state your credit card will be charge at order... no matter how far in advance you order. The discussion is really about the various payment options. They really should be clear that they collect money upon ordering. But again, if they were clear, they couldn't get interest free loans from their customers, could they?

Most reputable internet companies charge when the items are shipped. Given the different nature of this business, and the fact nothing is being shipped, they could/should wait until a little closer to the delivery date before charging, or, as I said, charge a small amount to hold the spot.

My preference is to charge every nickel I can to my Amex. I'm a miles junkie.

The only way around this is to place a very small order to hold your spot and then increase when you're closer to the date.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I tried ordering form them and found them to be unprofessional at best. I had an issue with them charging my credit card and then they "researched info" and ultimately asked for my SS number to "verify" who I was, it all SPOOKED the heck out of me, so
BACK to staples for water and I pay for a meal plan, or pay out of pocket for "stuff,"