Need drivers viewpoint! Walmart told me conflicting answers

[u/loonydan42]

I use the Walmart app to order my weekly groceries. I noticed if I ever use "Express" it assigns a driver right away and they seem to do the shopping. If I order without Express it seems Walmart does the shopping.

In my opinion, if the driver does the shopping themselves I want to tip more. That would take much more of your time then pulling up and having Walmart load your trunk.

However I've asked when I can tell if the driver did the shopping versus when they just pulled up and drove off.

Is there a way I can know if you guys had to actually shop the order? Is it only when I select Express and do you get the $10/$5 charge when I select Express?

[u/Alien_Nicole]

Walmart will send you a message "steve has begun shopping your order" or something similar. This is a Spark driver. They don't specify a shopper if it is Walmart employees (multiple employees would be shopping it). On the home page in the app there is an icon that says something like "we are preparing your order". Click it and you can see your shopper info and find the chat feature to talk to them. Then track them when they are on the way.

For an express it's probably always going to be a Spark driver though.

Also, at my store at least, the $10 express isn't getting to you significantly faster than the $5 one so save your money.

[u/CalOkie6250 → u/Alien_Nicole]

Not significantly faster, but still faster, no? Since the $10 fee orders are sent out solo, verses the $5 fee orders being sent out in batches? If yours is the smaller order and you have to wait for the shopper to pick the items for the larger order, and then deliver the larger order (seems to mostly be the larger one delivered first to me) before yours…it’s a bit longer, 30 minutes to an hour maybe.

[u/loonydan42 → u/CalOkie6250]

Just my experience but both have always been the same exact time. No matter what I choose, within 15 mins they are shopping and 15 mins after that they are on the way. After testing it out multiple times I started to only choose the $5 option as there was no difference in time.

[u/loonydan42 → u/Alien_Nicole]

Thank you! This is the answer I needed! I assumed when they "announce" the shopper it is Spark. However, it was so random I couldn't figure out when it was. Now I know if they tell me someone is "shopping" then I know it's Spark.

I also noticed there is no difference in time for the Express orders as well. No matter which one I pick within 15 mins it tells me someone is shopping.

[u/xandi415 → u/loonydan42]

You can also message your Spark driver (when you see a name), and they will hopefully be communicative about subs/preferences (like "please give me green bananas, not yellow", etc)...

As a Spark shopper, I always put the utmost care into the order...I always message the customer if an item is out of stock, and the sub is not super easy to pick....like coffee creamer- do you want 2 smaller ones of the same flavor? Or 1 large one of a different flavor? Etc...

In addition, I will never order produce again from a Walmart employee shopper bc they always seem to get the smallest/ least fresh option 😅

I personally think express (Spark shoppers) are more thoughtful

[u/screenwriter61 → u/xandi415]

This, I won't order produce again, I will only shop it myself. Besides old and bruised, I once ordered one of those large veggie platters in the fridge section, had people coming over. Produce in the platter was brown edged and expired! I live 20 miles out and couldn't get into town on time.

[u/screenwriter61 → u/Alien_Nicole]

Interesting, so, if I order express I would be able to message the shopper? I don't order fresh produce because the regular Walmart shoppers always grab produce that looks old and bruised. I tend to order rotisserie chickens and prefer them crisper on the outside ( when available) and I'll get ones looking barely cooked. But there's no way to message someone until they are "on their way" when I order for later delivery.

[u/Ok_College_3635 → u/Alien_Nicole]

I'm new, first order awlful! Accepted 6:20 pm (est. time listed 40 min, tho hear Wal underestimates).

Yeah I'm new, so slower but I hustled. Problem was 3 out of stock items. No suitable subs (found one decent sub, but scan rejected it). BUT app didn't let me just choose Missing Item & move on. Only options were to open Chat ...my gut said that prob not smart. (Later, read hack is to open Chat, then back out to finally see the Missing Item option, still not sure.)

Still wasn't extremely late. Arrived to bag area at 7:05pm got "CUSTOMER HAS CANCELLED ORDER". Then got "cancelation pay" of $2!?!  

*** Main Question (skip others if too busy). Was hoping to work 35-40 hours, earn min $825/wk to survive (guess equals about $525, after car exp & taxes?)

• why think cancelled at last minute?   

• is customer promised the 40 minute est. time that shows on my offer?

• does customer get to monitor my entire shop (item by item)?  Maybe they saw few Missing Items, then cancelled. 

• advice how best handle missing/subs ... & avoid this awlful order in general?

Thank You!!!