Garden Grocer owner is a nice guy

[CleveRocks]

A few weeks ago, I read a post saying the poster tried to reserve a Garden Grocer delivery for Saturday 11/4 but was told they were "sold out" -- couldn't take any more orders for that day due to capacity. Since I'm arriving at POFQ that day, this concerned me. I used Gooding's last year, but wanted to try Garden Grocer this year. I called and left a message at Garden Grocer just to make sure the post was accurate and/or to see if there was a cancellation (hey, that strategy worked to get me into POFQ with the money-saving code!).

I hadn't heard back, so I assumed the post was accurate. Well, a few days ago, I received a call from Brian, co-owner of Garden Grocer. He called to inform me that he was too busy that day and couldn't offer any additional deliveries. I was impressed that even though he's busy he called me personally just to tell me I couldn't use his business.

He also said it was quite a coincidence that I live in New Jersey, since most of his orders on that sold-out date are also for NJ residents. I educated him about Jersey Week. Turns out he's from neighboring Delaware. And a VERY pleasant and friendly guy, too!

Anyway, I was impressed that he took the time to call me to tell me he can't take my money. He certainly didn't need to call me, but it was so nice that he did.

Even though I probably won't be heading back for at least another year or two, he earned my business for next time.

 

[*love*2*shop]

A few weeks ago, I read a post saying the poster tried to reserve a Garden Grocer delivery for Saturday 11/4 but was told they were "sold out" -- couldn't take any more orders for that day due to capacity. Since I'm arriving at POFQ that day, this concerned me. I used Gooding's last year, but wanted to try Garden Grocer this year. I called and left a message at Garden Grocer just to make sure the post was accurate and/or to see if there was a cancellation (hey, that strategy worked to get me into POFQ with the money-saving code!).

I hadn't heard back, so I assumed the post was accurate. Well, a few days ago, I received a call from Brian, co-owner of Garden Grocer. He called to inform me that he was too busy that day and couldn't offer any additional deliveries. I was impressed that even though he's busy he called me personally just to tell me I couldn't use his business.

He also said it was quite a coincidence that I live in New Jersey, since most of his orders on that sold-out date are also for NJ residents. I educated him about Jersey Week. Turns out he's from neighboring Delaware. And a VERY pleasant and friendly guy, too!

Anyway, I was impressed that he took the time to call me to tell me he can't take my money. He certainly didn't need to call me, but it was so nice that he did.

Even though I probably won't be heading back for at least another year or two, he earned my business for next time.

Did you ask if they could Deliv the NEXT day at all for you instead

 

[LISAVWL]

I used their service a couple of weeks ago and I was very impressed! I had a bunch of questions and Brian either called to verify or emailed quickly with answers/suggestions. The delivery was complete and on time, they even called my cell phone to let me know they left the order with bell services, they beat me to the resort! I read here somewhere that he suggested a Friday late delivery and having the resort hold your deilvery until Sat when they are booked for the weekend, just a thought.

 

[cnids00]

We also used GG and Brian for our last trip and we were nothing but impressed

With no doubt will we use Gardengrocer on our next trip, we have nothing but good things to say about this company!

 

[MikeAidanEoinMom]

Hi Eric...I usually lurk here and post on AOL boards. We are going the same week. Brian said he is booked all weekend but told me to use Marge at Wegoshop . She can't make any deliveries until Saturday evening but is bringing ours LATE Saturday so we can do the parks. She was very helpful on the phone. HTH

Bridget

 

[CleveRocks]

Thanks everyone for your replies and ideas. I'm going to go with Gooding's again, like I did last year. Their system is set up to deliver to Bell Services, so it doesn't matter whether you're in your room or not. We won't even be arriving at POFQ until about 11:00 p.m. or so. Having the groceries available then will make the next morning go smoothly -- waiting for a delivery until the next day is out of the question.

 

[becca-becca]

How far in advance do you place your order to Garden Grocer? We are going in late January and I didn't realize weekends, etc. got full.

 

[MikeAidanEoinMom]

I would do it ASAP. He told me on the phone he used to take all orders but now limits it to a certain amount (I can't remember the number) He said he rather do fewer orders then give bad service. He also told me he is in the process of hiring and training more staff so he CAN take more. HTH

Bridget

 

[Makua]

I'm sure this is on here somewhere but how can I contact GG?

 

[MikeAidanEoinMom]

866-855-4350 is the phone number or the E-mail contact is on the front page of the web site.

 

[beaniemom59]

When you order from Garden Grocer with a credit card, do they charge immediately or as they shop for the items? My husband gets antsy giving out credit card information too far in advance and having them charge us 4 weeks before we get there. Any information is greatly appreciated.

 

[CleveRocks]

When you order from Garden Grocer with a credit card, do they charge immediately or as they shop for the items? My husband gets antsy giving out credit card information too far in advance and having them charge us 4 weeks before we get there. Any information is greatly appreciated.

I don't know about garden Grocer.

I know from experience that with Gooding's, they don't even want your credit card information until about 48 hours in advance. They don't charge the CC until after your order is rung up at their cash register on the day you get the delivery, since there's no way they can know in advance if an item will be sold out, or the exact cost of your deli items and produce.

 

[ilovedisney001]

They will charge your credit card when you place the order.

 

[crazyhunter98]

we used GG last month and it was great and we paided with our paypal account

 

[MikeAidanEoinMom]

I believe GG uses paypal so yes you pay right away.... Wegoshop you need to pay with personal check or cash. They do not take Credit cards.

 

[saschab]

So far, I've had a wonderful experience with Brian also. We are arriving very early on 11/5 and although I had done a pre-list with Garden Grocer, real life got in the way until I spotted another thread saying he was booked for Jersey week.

Since we were ordering non-perishables, Brian offered to deliver late on the 3rd. He assured us it would be fine with the resort, and would be waiting for us 5th. I'm hoping all goes well.

Brian was very pleasant to deal with.

(I'm not a Jersey girl...an Ohio girl, recently transplanted to NW Indiana )

 

[CleveRocks]

So far, I've had a wonderful experience with Brian also. We are arriving very early on 11/5

(I'm not a Jersey girl...an Ohio girl, recently transplanted to NW Indiana )

Well, we'll have to wave when we see each other!

I've got my alien green Mickey heads on my backpack, ready to go!

I'm a Philly boy who lived in the Cleveland suburbs (east side) for a few years before finding my true calling and moving to the beach right next to Atlantic City, NJ.

 

[MikeAidanEoinMom]

Waving Hi from right outside of Philly NJ!!!We will have matching outfits some days but the two little ones will always match...(it is a very sick thing I HAVE to do <G>) We will probably have newly bought Pirate Mickey ears since we are the pirates in my town.

 

[saschab]

Well, we'll have to wave when we see each other!

I've got my alien green Mickey heads on my backpack, ready to go!

I'm a Philly boy who lived in the Cleveland suburbs (east side) for a few years before finding my true calling and moving to the beach right next to Atlantic City, NJ.

I haven't found the elusive green identification cards.

East side, eh. I wondered from your ID. Grew up way east side, lived in either Hudson or Aurora most of my life.

Although I should be an honorary NJite. Every trip (except one) we've ever taken to WDW has been around Jersey Week. Some years have been a bit crowded, but years ago it was gloriously sparse. I have a feeling this year's going to be packed....

 

[CleveRocks]

I haven't found the elusive green identification cards.

East side, eh. I wondered from your ID. Grew up way east side, lived in either Hudson or Aurora most of my life.

Although I should be an honorary NJite. Every trip (except one) we've ever taken to WDW has been around Jersey Week. Some years have been a bit crowded, but years ago it was gloriously sparse. I have a feeling this year's going to be packed....

Yeh, Cleveland Heights for three years in the late 90's ... my wife was a resident at Rainbow for a few years. It was great living there. Nice people. No traffic. A job that was "only" 40 hours a week, which gave me a chance to appreciate living walking distance from the bars on Coventry ....

On behalf of the 70 million people descending from New Jersey in a couple weeks, I think I speak for all of them when I say as nicely and politely as possible ... "GET OUTTA MY WAY!!!"