Von's Delivery to DLH - DLH Not Being Very Disney-like!

[egritz]

So We are getting ready to leave the house in less than 2 hours for the airport & I get a phone call from Charlie @Von's asking if we will be at the hotel today between 11-3pm to sign for the grocery delivery. I say no, but I called DLH & the CM told me they can accept the groceries & keep them in their refrigerator until we get there.

Well, Charlie tells me that over the past two weeks he has been having issues with DLH deliveries with them REFUSING to sign for the grocery delivery! And on top of that, he said DLH doesn't have refrigeration for their deliveries (he said in the past they have taken them to PP or GC until the guest arrives). He said just last week he spoke to a manager who refused to sign for the groceries. Now THAT doesn't sound very Disney like (and Charlie agrees). Right Now I'm debating whether to call DLH, or just let Charlie deal with it.

So Charlie is going to attempt delivery & will call me back this afternoon to let me know if he was successful or not. If he isn't we'll have to try again tomorrow so DH or I can be present to sign for the delivery, which will of course eat into my touring plans. I suppose the positive is we'll be able to tip Charlie, who so far is providing excellant service.

Not a great way to start my vacation, but hopefully it all works out.

Let's hope this is our only snafu in an other-wise awesome vacation....I will update later on to let you know how it goes.

 

[Sherry E]

So We are getting ready to leave the house in less than 2 hours for the airport & I get a phone call from Charlie @Von's asking if we will be at the hotel today between 11-3pm to sign for the grocery delivery. I say no, but I called DLH & the CM told me they can accept the groceries & keep them in their refrigerator until we get there.

Well, Charlie tells me that over the past two weeks he has been having issues with DLH deliveries with them REFUSING to sign for the grocery delivery! And on top of that, he said DLH doesn't have refrigeration for their deliveries (he said in the past they have taken them to PP or GC until the guest arrives). He said just last week he spoke to a manager who refused to sign for the groceries. Now THAT doesn't sound very Disney like (and Charlie agrees). Right Now I'm debating whether to call DLH, or just let Charlie deal with it.

So Charlie is going to attempt delivery & will call me back this afternoon to let me know if he was successful or not. If he isn't we'll have to try again tomorrow so DH or I can be present to sign for the delivery, which will of course eat into my touring plans. I suppose the positive is we'll be able to tip Charlie, who so far is providing excellant service.

Not a great way to start my vacation, but hopefully it all works out.

Let's hope this is our only snafu in an other-wise awesome vacation....I will update later on to let you know how it goes.

Even though you don't have alcohol in your delivery today, the other people whose orders were not signed for may have had alcohol in theirs (that was the recent account of one DIS-er on this board). You never know. Was Charlie the actual guy out in the truck who is delivering to you, or was he the guy at the Safeway headquarters who will sometimes call on behalf of the driver when necessary? I have experienced both scenarios. Sometimes the delivery guys don't know what to say to the hotel people to convince them it's okay to leave the order there, but the Safeway Customer Svc. people sometimes do know what to say, and sometimes it's the other way around (I've been using Vons home delivery for the last 7 years) - in other words, the driver and the Safeway Managers back at the office and the people at the DLR hotel may not always be on the same page, and they don't all always have the same information at hand.

By the way, I'm not at all opposed to tipping people even when no tips are required, but the Vons drivers are not supposed to accept tips from anyone - it says that in the verbiage on the website. It's always been their policy. So if you do tip, you may have to just force it on the driver.

 

[egritz]

Lol, if I get to see him so I can tip, I'll tell him it is our little secret! But Charlie is the actual driver... he kept on saying "I" in reference to conversations with CM's at DLH.

 

[Sherry E]

Lol, if I get to see him so I can tip, I'll tell him it is our little secret! But Charlie is the actual driver... he kept on saying "I" in reference to conversations with CM's at DLH.

Just slip the money in his pocket or something and don't even say anything about it!

I always feel bad for the drivers when they have really big deliveries. Some of the ones who deliver to me have told me about the times where someone ordered 50 cases of water and nothing else - and the poor drivers have to wheel their dolly and the heavy cases up stairs to get it to them. And yet, they are not supposed to accept tips!! How could you not tip in that case?

I'm guessing that some of the recent orders that were not signed for at the DLH had liquor in them (and the Vons drivers don't know what is supposed to be in the order without combing through the bill they give you - I often have to tell them that they left something out of my order) - OR what happened was that maybe prior to those occasions, the hotel got paranoid because some orders with liquor slipped through the cracks, and they started getting weird about signing for even the non-alcohol orders, and now everyone is punished for it. Somehow or other, booze is probably at the root of the problem!!!

 

[DizMe]

Not to make light of your plight, because I do understand your dilemma and wishing to keep costs down, but why should people expect a hotel to keep their groceries for them? If you're there and can put them in the fridge yourself, great. But why should the hotel have to do it if you won't even be there? The hotel makes money off of its restaurants and likely would prefer people not do a lot of food prep in their rooms, which aren't equipped for it anyway.

Now, I do sometimes have food in my fridge at the hotel, so I get the idea of fixing simple breakfasts, making pbj's etc., but I've never had groceries delivered. The hotel has nothing to gain from it and probably ends up with more hassle (which ultimately means more cost to them).

 

[Sherry E]

Not to make light of your plight, because I do understand your dilemma and wishing to keep costs down, but why should people expect a hotel to keep their groceries for them? If you're there and can put them in the fridge yourself, great. But why should the hotel have to do it if you won't even be there? The hotel makes money off of its restaurants and likely would prefer people not do a lot of food prep in their rooms, which aren't equipped for it anyway.

Now, I do sometimes have food in my fridge at the hotel, so I get the idea of fixing simple breakfasts, making pbj's etc., but I've never had groceries delivered. The hotel has nothing to gain from it and probably ends up with more hassle (which ultimately means more cost to them).

You actually remind me of something, DizMe - I have often been quite surprised that the DLR hotels have been willing to sign for and store groceries for guests. It's always amazed me that they do that because, as you say, it doesn't benefit them at all to do that and, actually, it inconveniences them to have to stash groceries. It's always been an 'above and beyond the call of duty' thing in my opinion - but I was very impressed with them that they were willing to do that for the guests. I've never had to use the Vons delivery service at a hotel yet, but based on my own experiences with Vons' home delivery, I am shocked that Vons is able to get their act together enough to be able to deliver to the hotel without the actual recipient of the groceries being there!! Maybe the Anaheim Vons are more 'together' than the ones up here where I live! I don't think the ones up where I am would know what to do if they had to deliver to a major resort hotel!

 

[Disney Dreams]

...The hotel has nothing to gain from it and probably ends up with more hassle (which ultimately means more cost to them).

ITA, and see it even one step further: The hotel has something to LOSE by accepting groceries.

Ex: When you check-in, they give you your groceries. Something is missing. You call Vons. Vons says the hotel signed for it. Now the hotel is responsible for the missing food items which could be anywhere because they had to find refrigerator (and non-refrig) space to store a guest's delivery when they don't even know yet if the guest is truly going to arrive. At the time of delivery, they are accepting delivery for a non-hotel guest who for all they know may cancel their reservation and not show up at all.

If lots of hotel guests have cold groceries delivered prior to checking in, are the hotels supposed to buy additional refrigerators to store those groceries for select guests? If so, guess who ends up paying for those refrigerators? Yep! ALL hotel guests. I was very surprised the first time I read on DIS about people having groceries delivered to a hotel or motel. In all of my vacationing I had never heard of this practice, anywhere, until reading about it here.

I really think it''s a much bigger inconvenience to hotels than people realize.

egritz, I'm sorry this has started your vacation off on a rocky foot and my thoughts above are not specifically towards you. I just think maybe the DLH deserves a little slack on this one. I hope you have a great trip!

- Dreams

 

[Angel Ariel]

there's places close enough to DL to go buy food, that I'd rather do that than have to trust that everything's in the order, trust that it'll get stored/signed for right, etce etc...

 

[CMHusband]

If I was DLH I would politely tell you we can't accept food delivery. end of story.
Why is it NOT DISNEY LIKE to have a business policy that makes sense and enforce it. As much fun as it is...Disney is a business, and they have to be able to set themselves up to deliver first class service...food delivery acceptance doesn't sound like anything they should get involved in. Take a cab 1 mile down the street to the local market, or have it delivered when YOU are there.

Too much liability!
"wheres my $6 box of Frosted Flakes?!!! You owe me!!!"
Oh Gawd, let the letter writing to management begin.

 

[Disney Dreams]

If I was DLH I would politely tell you we can't accept food delivery. end of story.
Why is it NOT DISNEY LIKE to have a business policy that makes sense and enforce it. As much fun as it is...Disney is a business, and they have to be able to set themselves up to deliver first class service...food delivery acceptance doesn't sound like anything they should get involved in. Take a cab 1 mile down the street to the local market, or have it delivered when YOU are there.

Too much liability!
"wheres my $6 box of Frosted Flakes?!!! You owe me!!!"
Oh Gawd, let the letter writing to management begin.

Exactly. Or could you imagine...

Vons delivers groceries which include milk. DLH stores it. DLH gives it to guest X upon check-in Guest X drinks the milk which somewhere along the line went sour. DLH is now liable and open to a law suit for making someone ill due to milk that may have been bad when they first received it. I truly am surprised they have ever accepted groceries. Way too many pockets for liability.

- Dreams

 

[toocherie]

Well, at least at the Grand Californian Villas they'd better accept deliveries. One of the "perks" of being a DVC member and booking a 1 bedroom or up villa is a full kitchen. Not only do the resorts in Florida accept such deliveries, they have their own service (and I believe they do at VGC too).

 

[DizMe]

Well, at least at the Grand Californian Villas they'd better accept deliveries. One of the "perks" of being a DVC member and booking a 1 bedroom or up villa is a full kitchen. Not only do the resorts in Florida accept such deliveries, they have their own service (and I believe they do at VGC too).

A condo/hotel with kitchenette is a totally different situation. They expect you to have food and give you the means to store and cook it.

 

[cypressmom]

So We are getting ready to leave the house in less than 2 hours for the airport & I get a phone call from Charlie @Von's asking if we will be at the hotel today between 11-3pm to sign for the grocery delivery. I say no, but I called DLH & the CM told me they can accept the groceries & keep them in their refrigerator until we get there.

Well, Charlie tells me that over the past two weeks he has been having issues with DLH deliveries with them REFUSING to sign for the grocery delivery! And on top of that, he said DLH doesn't have refrigeration for their deliveries (he said in the past they have taken them to PP or GC until the guest arrives). He said just last week he spoke to a manager who refused to sign for the groceries. Now THAT doesn't sound very Disney like (and Charlie agrees). Right Now I'm debating whether to call DLH, or just let Charlie deal with it.

So Charlie is going to attempt delivery & will call me back this afternoon to let me know if he was successful or not. If he isn't we'll have to try again tomorrow so DH or I can be present to sign for the delivery, which will of course eat into my touring plans. I suppose the positive is we'll be able to tip Charlie, who so far is providing excellant service.

Not a great way to start my vacation, but hopefully it all works out.

Let's hope this is our only snafu in an other-wise awesome vacation....I will update later on to let you know how it goes.

Why not just ask them to deliver when you are there to accept the delivery yourself?

 

[disneychrista]

but why should people expect a hotel to keep their groceries for them?

I have often wondered this myself.

 

[brenda1966]

At WDW it's a whole different mindset. One of the reasons you pay more for a moderate or deluxe is because they have an empty refridgerator that you want to fill with your own favorite food! The resorts in WDW will glady hold your food for you, refridgerated, and then will deliver it to your room. What's in it for them? We'll, you've already paid top dollar for a hotel room, you likely tip the bell boy for bringing to you, you feel like you are at a high class place that treats you well.

This probably adds to the non-resort feel that some people compain about regarding DL. You can't immerse yourself because you have to worry about taking a taxi to the grocery store.

So, OP, I feel your pain. Have had great grocery deliver at WDW resorts. Sorry to hear the same level of service is not available at DL resorts.

 

[Sherry E]

At WDW it's a whole different mindset. One of the reasons you pay more for a moderate or deluxe is because they have an empty refridgerator that you want to fill with your own favorite food! The resorts in WDW will glady hold your food for you, refridgerated, and then will deliver it to your room. What's in it for them? We'll, you've already paid top dollar for a hotel room, you likely tip the bell boy for bringing to you, you feel like you are at a high class place that treats you well.

This probably adds to the non-resort feel that some people compain about regarding DL. You can't immerse yourself because you have to worry about taking a taxi to the grocery store.

So, OP, I feel your pain. Have had great grocery deliver at WDW resorts. Sorry to hear the same level of service is not available at DL resorts.

There are small refrigerators in all of the rooms at PPH and GCH, and I'm pretty sure DLH must have them too.

I know the point you're making to the OP, and it makes sense, but I don't think groceries have to do with the 'resort feel' or 'non-resort feel.' My own personal idea of immersion doesn't involve groceries, either ordering them to be delivered or going out to get them. Part of my own immersion and resort-feel involves eating at the restaurants onsite at DLR, although I understand why some people prefer to get the groceries (it makes sense for water, especially, which is so costly in the parks).

 

[egritz]

I understand the point of view that the hotels don't HAVE to accept groceries.....the problems is 1) I'm paying $200+ per night & most importantly, I called DLH before placing my order and I was told by the CAST MEMBER at DLH that they are more than happy to accept Grocery Orders & keep them cold for guests. This was after linking my brother's reservation to mine, and submitting a request for a specific tower at the DLH. So the cast member knew we were staying at DLH. I suppose most of my frustration lies in being give WRONG information. Had I been told that they are unable to accept grocery deliveries, I would have been frustrated, but then perhaps I wouldn't have pre-paid our shuttle service & instead grabbed a taxi at SNA instead.

Charlie w/ Von's also told me today that if we do delivery for Monday w/ a 2 hour delivery window, they will probably be late -- he said Monday is their busiest day. I'd rather not take time away from the parks to wait for grocery delivery (again especially when I was told by a DLH CM that they will sign for the delivery!) Doing delivery was more of a convenience than a $$ saver too.

I had never thought of doing grocery delivery, but last year when DH & I went to WDW & stayed at the Wilderness Lodge I saw on Dis that they do grocery deliveries & it worked so well for us -- mainly for water & then muffins for breakfast. Tonight DH & I will scope out the mini-mart downstairs & we might end up grabbing a taxi to take us to a local store to get our stuff.

Oh Well...we are at the airport now getting read to board our plane. On the way we pulled over, hopped on Safeway's wireless internet to use a web-cam so we could see the nieces & nephew open their special present from us - tshirts that say "I'm Going to Disneyland"....this trip has been a suprise for them, so it was fun seeing them get all excited about not only getting to see us for the week, but also getting to go to DL.

Happy Thoughts...Happy Thoughts....boarding the plane now. thanks for listening to my whining!

 

[danabalana]

I really think they should accept groceries. Like previously mentioned, it's no prob at all at WDW. We've done it there.
What are the empty fridges for anyway??
They'll accept other deliveries for guests, no problem.
It seems as though DLH isn't set up for cold grocs, but when you pay top dollar for a hotel you are also paying for service.
My DH and I travel a lot and he gets huge packages delivered when he's not there. Never a problem.
I hope it alll works out for you Have an awesome time

 

[Belle Ella]

Somebody slap me if I've iverlooked something here, but did they refuse to accept your delivery, or is this all speculaiton because recently some deliveries have been turned away (for unknown reasons)?

 

[Disney Dreams]

...so we could see the nieces & nephew open their special present from us - tshirts that say "I'm Going to Disneyland"....this trip has been a suprise for them, so it was fun seeing them get all excited about not only getting to see us for the week, but also getting to go to DL....

How fun! Have a great trip!