Anyone else frustrated over Garden Grocer's new minimum?

[jensen]

I was all ready to use Garden Grocer for our upcoming trip to get a loaf of bread, some milk and some water. But, now they have this $40 minimum. When you add in their delivery fee, that's $50 for some breakfast items. I'm thinking that for $50 I can buy breakfast at the resort every day. Any idea why they are now requiring a minimum? It seems to me that they are getting off great with a $10 delivery fee when I only want about $10 worth of stuff. It's a lot better than a $10 delivery fee when they have to bring $100 worth of stuff.... isn't it?

 

[karibritt01]

I would consider using a taxi service to run out after getting settled, or a town car from the airport, with a quick stop at the grocery on the way. I think either would be cheaper than the $50. I know most resorts sell bread and milk in their little grocery section which are a little more, but not outrageous. Last option I would suggest is pack an extra suitcase with a case of water in it, check it on the plane. Then you have a spot for souvies to go home. Not as practical... but the cheapest solution.

 

[Desnik]

Where are you staying? The reason I ask is that some resort stores, like at the DVC resorts, WL, BC, BW sell loafs of bread, and milk. You could then just ship down your own bottles of water and other breakfast items. That's waht we do and it works out great.

 

[BlakeNJ]

Where are you staying? The reason I ask is that some resort stores, like at the DVC resorts, WL, BC, BW sell loafs of bread, and milk. You could then just ship down your own bottles of water and other breakfast items. That's waht we do and it works out great.

I agree. We just stayed at WL and the Merchantile had plenty of breakfast items available. I did check out their prices but I can't imagine they are much more than gardengrocer.com. We ordered from them this year (with no minimum) and found that we threw out a lot of the food items before we left. If you purchase from the resort shop, you can always just buy what you need for a few days, then go back if you run out. You might even save money this way. If you aren't staying close to a DVC resort, I am sure at some point during your stay you wil be near the Boardwalk area and can use the resort shop on the boardwalk.

The previous year I shipped our breakfast items (donuts, cereal/breakfast bars, bowls, spoons) and purchased milk at the resort. I am sure you could also pack these items in your luggage.

Good luck!!

 

[amarberry]

I would also ship a box or just pack some stuff like cereal bars in your suitcase if you are just needing breakfast food. I always either ship or bring food for my DD.

I see from your signature that you are staying at Pop. If you are on the DP, I know you can get a whole box of donuts for a snack credit. They also have half gallons of milk that weren't too outrageously priced.

 

[amarberry]

Also, I forgot to mention, we've always ordered water from Staples. It's very easy and cheap! Just sign up for the Staples Rewards program before you place your order and you get free shipping. A case of water is $5-6. It only needs to be ordered a couple of days before your trip and the front desk will hold it.

 

[CleveRocks]

I would consider using a taxi service to run out after getting settled, or a town car from the airport, with a quick stop at the grocery on the way. I think either would be cheaper than the $50. I know most resorts sell bread and milk in their little grocery section which are a little more, but not outrageous. Last option I would suggest is pack an extra suitcase with a case of water in it, check it on the plane. Then you have a spot for souvies to go home. Not as practical... but the cheapest solution.

A taxi would have to run AT LEAST $30 including tip for round trip. $30 plus the groceries will easily add up to $50.

A town car? That's going to run about $60 including tip for one way from MCO to the resort. Plus, if you're staying at a WDW resort, you can take DME for free. I can't see paying $60 for a ride PLUS the cost of groceries in order to save LESS than $60 on the cost of the groceries.

The other commodity is TIME. Stopping at a store, or taking a taxi to and from a store, uses up valuable vacation time. With both Garden Grocer and Gooding's, you don't have to be present for your delivery, so you don't even have to waste time waiting around for it.

And about it perhaps being cheaper to buy breakfast at the resort versus getting the delivery. Maybe. Depends how you'll eat. But then there's also the time and convenience factor. We prefer to have breakfast foods in our room not so much for the cost savings (although that makes it that much more attractive!) but for the time savings and the convenience. Instead of getting everyone ready and marching to the food court and then spending time sitting there eating, we typically eat vacation breakfasts in the tired-and-comfy time between waking up and leaving for a park. Also, one child can eat at a different time from another (due to sleeping late, or lack of interest at the same time, etc.) rather than making everyone be on the same schedule. Same for the parents. I'm usually awake earlier than everyone, but if I don't feel like leaving the room to go to the food court I can stay snug in our room but eat my breakfast while everyone is still asleep. Then when everyone gets up, I can get the kids ready in the morning while my wife can relax and have her breakfast.

In addition, we happen not to be big "breakfast food" people. Bacon and eggs and potatoes? Waffles/pancakes? Yeh, sure, but we tend to enjoy cold cereal and milk, bagels and [insert preferred spread here], yogurt, cheese sticks, fresh fruit (like bananas or grapes). it's very convenient for us to have that kind of stuff in the room with us.

For savings and for food preferences and for time savings, breakfast in the room is perfect for my family, so for us the grocery delivery is a no-brainer.

HAVE FUN!!!

 

[maxiesmom]

I would like to know how you stay under the minimum. We got "just a few things" for our last vacation, and it was over $80. Pop, water, fruit, cereal, bacon and a few other things. It adds up fast!

I wonder if they are finding themselves with too few drivers and this is a way to fix that problem.

 

[Allison]

I was all ready to use Garden Grocer for our upcoming trip to get a loaf of bread, some milk and some water. But, now they have this $40 minimum. When you add in their delivery fee, that's $50 for some breakfast items. I'm thinking that for $50 I can buy breakfast at the resort every day. Any idea why they are now requiring a minimum? It seems to me that they are getting off great with a $10 delivery fee when I only want about $10 worth of stuff. It's a lot better than a $10 delivery fee when they have to bring $100 worth of stuff.... isn't it?

My guess would be with the great reviews they have been getting, it's probably difficult for them to keep up with the orders and have enough staff to deliver the items. Once you factor in labor, it's cheaper to deliver fewer larger $$ items than more lower $$ items.

 

[Feralpeg]

I've never used GG, but I would guess a $10 delivery fee is hardly profitable any more. Please note that things are really spread out in Orlando. Combine current gas prices coupled with the time it takes to purchase items and make delivery, I doubt they are making much.

When I was doing gift basket deliveries, it was very time consuming. Although I live 5 minutes from MK as the crow flies, it takes longer to drive places due to the lakes and undeveloped land. To make a delivery to AK, it would easily take me close to an hour by the time I drove to and from the resort, checked in with the guard station and often stood in line at the resort to leave the basket with the front desk. Time is money!

 

[mericletwins]

The other commodity is TIME. Stopping at a store, or taking a taxi to and from a store, uses up valuable vacation time. With both Garden Grocer and Gooding's, you don't have to be present for your delivery, so you don't even have to waste time waiting around for it.

And about it perhaps being cheaper to buy breakfast at the resort versus getting the delivery. Maybe. Depends how you'll eat. But then there's also the time and convenience factor. We prefer to have breakfast foods in our room not so much for the cost savings (although that makes it that much more attractive!) but for the time savings and the convenience. Instead of getting everyone ready and marching to the food court and then spending time sitting there eating, we typically eat vacation breakfasts in the tired-and-comfy time between waking up and leaving for a park. Also, one child can eat at a different time from another (due to sleeping late, or lack of interest at the same time, etc.) rather than making everyone be on the same schedule. Same for the parents. I'm usually awake earlier than everyone, but if I don't feel like leaving the room to go to the food court I can stay snug in our room but eat my breakfast while everyone is still asleep. Then when everyone gets up, I can get the kids ready in the morning while my wife can relax and have her breakfast.

we tend to enjoy cold cereal and milk, bagels and [insert preferred spread here], yogurt, cheese sticks, fresh fruit (like bananas or grapes). it's very convenient for us to have that kind of stuff in the room with us.

For savings and for food preferences and for time savings, breakfast in the room is perfect for my family, so for us the grocery delivery is a no-brainer.

HAVE FUN!!!

This is a ditto for us also. I found it very easy to get to $40 with cereal, milk, fresh fruit, some chips and pretzels, soda and beer. I would make the list and see exactly what you want and then see what it adds up to. You may be surprised to find yourself close to $40. I know here at home one box of cereal and a gallon of milk cost us $10 all by itself w/o adding in some snacks and a case of bottled water.

 

[bkfree]

This is a ditto for us also. I found it very easy to get to $40 with cereal, milk, fresh fruit, some chips and pretzels, soda and beer. I would make the list and see exactly what you want and then see what it adds up to. You may be surprised to find yourself close to $40. I know here at home one box of cereal and a gallon of milk cost us $10 all by itself w/o adding in some snacks and a case of bottled water.

My order was $67 and that included the delivery fee and a tip. We ordered some soft drinks, bottled water, breakfast items, chips, juice, bourbon, mixers and paper towels. I thought it was a good bargain considering hopping a cab for the same items would have cost at least $30 more, not to mention our time to go and do it. Having the stuff delivered to our hotel while we hit the parks with our kids as soon as we arrive, is as the commercial says..Priceless.

 

[northriver]

I have a question - if we leave unopened stuff behind will it just go into the garbage or will one of the Mousekeeping staff take it to use it?

We are planning on either getting groceries delivered or shipping a box ahead of time. Either way I'll probably have too much.

 

[CleveRocks]

I have a question - if we leave unopened stuff behind will it just go into the garbage or will one of the Mousekeeping staff take it to use it?

We are planning on either getting groceries delivered or shipping a box ahead of time. Either way I'll probably have too much.

I had a few unopened items that I didn't care to transport home, from a gift basket that my brother sent to the resort for my birthday. One day before I checked out, I left them on the table (there was nothjing else on the table) with a note to the Mousekeeper, in English and Spanish, that she was free to take them if she wanted.

I happened to see her Mousekeeping cart later, and those items were visible on her cart, separate from the cleaning supplies.

 

[DreaminDisney]

I know for us it won't be hard to reach the 40.00 minimum, it does add up fast and the 10.00 delivery fee is worth it for us.

Now if all I wanted was a loaf of bread, milk and water I would just get that from resort.