It seemed like a good opportunity to try ordering groceries online for pick-up for WTOP's annual Opening Day newsroom cookout. (Lacey Mason/WTOP)
Lacey Mason/WTOP
Instead of delivering to your house, they bring your order to a store -- free, with no minimum order required.
Once you've completed your order, you can choose a one-hour pickup window but worth noting, this isn't an option at every store. (Amanda Iacone/WTOP)
Amanda Iacone/WTOP
Cloherty brought our receipt just in case, but the attendant had one on file as well. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
WTOP asked Giant why there is no added fee for the service.
"If we're combining orders and we can deliver 20 to a store, there are a lot of efficiencies there," says Peg Merzbacher with Peapod.
She says the service is growing in popularity in the Washington area, but it has been available since spring 2013.
"It was kind of natural to say, you know there are some people who can't stay at home for two hours and wait for us to come deliver, or don't want to pay the delivery fee so we think this will be a great option for them," Merzbacher says. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
"We pack the frozen items with dry ice. The cold items have gel packs. We adjust them based on the temperature," Merzbacher says. (Megan Cloherty/WTOP)
Megan Cloherty/WTOP
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
Safeway has yet to try it. And on its website, Wegman's says pickup not an option it's considering at this time.
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
Our take on the online order and pick-up option: It seems like a good idea for shoppers in a rush or who want to stay on a budget, not if they are looking for recipe ideas or enjoy the shopping experience. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
