Walmart considers paying in-store customers to deliver online orders

[Jos]

Walmart is reportedly considering a new service that would add an unusual twist to the delivery process by crowdsourcing it to customers. Under the plan, which is still in the early planning stages, the company would pay in-store shoppers to rent space in their vehicles and have them deliver products it sells online.

According to Reuters, the move is aimed at competing with same-day delivery initiatives from Amazon and Google -- which just launched a trial in the San Francisco Bay Area in partnership with Target, Walgreens, Staples, American Eagle, and Toys"R"Us, as well as local coffee shops.

Walmart currently relies on FedEx to deliver products from its stores to customers. They are also testing a service called Walmart To Go in five metro areas, under which the company uses its own vehicles to deliver products to customer homes on the same day they're ordered. By bringing in-store customers into the mix, Walmart would be able to cut transportation costs while providing the same expedite delivery service, but of course there are numerous legal, regulatory and privacy obstacles the company would have to clear first.

Walmart has been launching a number of initiatives that merge its online business with the power of its 4,000 stores. Starting this summer, they will start testing a new service for online buyers that involves installing lockers in about a dozen U.S. stores to hold goods until shoppers pick them up -- not unlike Amazon started doing last year with brick-and-mortar partners. Walmart doesn’t break down its e-commerce sales for the U.S., but the company recently said it expects global e-commerce sales to hit $9 billion this year.

If the proposed crowd-sourced delivery system eventually materializes it would still be a year or two away, according to Jeff McAllister, senior vice president of Walmart U.S. innovations. 

Would you be okay with a random stranger showing up with your packages at home -- or conversely, would you be willing to deliver stuff to strangers in exchange for a discount on your own bill?

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https://www.techspot.com/news/52085-walmart-considers-paying-in-store-customers-to-deliver-online-orders.html

 

[cliffordcooley]

Brings a new twist to washing dishes for grub.

 

[Guest]

Having seen pics on peopleofwalmart I am somewhat scared of having a customer deliver my purchases.

 

[Wendig0]

I personally wouldn't do it. "Ain't nobody got time for that"

 

[cliffordcooley]

Having seen pics on peopleofwalmart I am somewhat scared of having a customer deliver my purchases.

For all those peopleofwalmart you are referring to, I wonder what they would think if they saw your picture. Honestly, what difference does it make as long as the package is delivered unharmed?

 

[Wendig0]

For all those peopleofwalmart you are referring to, I wonder what they would think if they saw your picture. Honestly, what difference does it make as long as the package is delivered unharmed?

I believe he was referring to the atrocious personal hygiene of some of the people pictured. That would matter a lot to me, as I've seen plenty of pictures of people in Walmart that can't wipe their *** right, and look like a walking infectious disease.

 

[Guest]

Oh Hell No! At least if it's a company employee, the employee is screened. Asking ordinary customers to do delivery you don't know who these people are. This is an open invitation for murderers and rapists. This would open the door for huge liability claims.

I think Walmart needs to seriously rethink this idea.

 

[Guest]

Good idea, let a pure stranger deliver that new 42" TV to my home and then come and pick it up the next day while I am out.
I am sure a lot of "honest" people are going to start shopping at Wal-Mart just to go deliver stuff around.

 

[Guest]

People will just hang out at walmart waiting for orders to come in. same thing as having a full time delivery boy on staff only you don't have to pay them regularly. this is just a delivery fee for each item take for delivery?



they say "boxes by the curbside makes your home a target for thieves." this seems similar to that some how. I mean a house that bought a new xbox is definitly a worthwile target, if not for just the xbox alone I guess.

 

[Guest]

Wal-Mart need to concern themselves with the criminal element who would jump at the chance to steal the intended delivery and or target the recipients for additional crimes....I would not request delivery if it is not performed by a recognized delivery service such as USPS, UPS and FEDEX.

 

[Ranger12]

I'm sure you could put a limit on what items could be customer delivered. For example, an expensive tv wouldn't be allowed for obvious reasons but smaller items like clothing, small electronics, and perhaps sealed foods would qualify. This avoids people coming back and stealing expensive items. Also, if someone just walks off with items that are to be delivered Walmart would have information on hand to charge the deliverer for that item. (Credit card #, checking account, whatever..)
Imo this is why Walmart continues to excel despite their size and age. They continue to experiment and innovate. Innovate or die is a common phrase in business.
I would take it one step farther and offer in-store credit for delivering as an extra option. Inevitably people would deliver but never get around to using their in-store credit as intended so it would essentially be free delivery for Walmart. More savvy shopper may find in-store credit more convenient and so increase the number of people willing to deliver.

 

[Guest]

Have any of you looked at the calendar recently?

 

[fimbles]

Ding dong...

 

[Ranger12]

Seeing as it's being reported from multiple sources, it's not April, and Walmart doesn't participate in such Tom-foolery I think we can conclude its not an April Fool's joke.

 

[wastedkill]

Have any of you looked at the calendar recently?

Ye looks like March 28th 2013 to me..

 

[Guest]

Why did you tell people look at the calendar, could of had even more stupid comments on this!

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

Ding dong...

By time you get your order it's time for an upgrade.

 

[cliffordcooley]

Wal-Mart need to concern themselves with the criminal element who would jump at the chance to steal the intended delivery and or target the recipients for additional crimes....I would not request delivery if it is not performed by a recognized delivery service such as USPS, UPS and FEDEX.

I highly doubt they will allow anyone to deliver merchandise regardless of price, without taking credentials first. Do you honestly think someone would target a house, that they had personally signed as the delivery person?

 

[Buster Keaton]

"CrowdSourcing"? I think I'm gonna throw up.

 

[Prosercunus]

I don't order things on walmart.com in any case.

 

[ghasmanjr]

Ding dong...

By time you get your order it's time for an upgrade.

Have you even seen Family Guy?

 

[Per Hansson]

Do you honestly think someone would target a house, that they had personally signed as the delivery person?

Have you noticed that the average IQ of your day to day criminal is equal to that of a jellyfish?

 

[davislane1]

Do you honestly think someone would target a house, that they had personally signed as the delivery person?

Have you noticed that the average IQ of your day to day criminal is equal to that of a jellyfish?

What justification could you possibly have for blatantly insulting a jellyfish like that?

Everybody knows that the intellect of common criminals is comprable only to a symposium of lithoids: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r4Klv8u2tgU/TUoGAuQSseI/AAAAAAAANq8/Ftql7pJalTc/s1600/Basalt+wall+rock.JPG

 

[Wendig0]

What justification could you possibly have for blatantly insulting a jellyfish like that?

Everybody knows that the intellect of common criminals is comprable only to a symposium of lithoids: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r4Klv8u2tgU/TUoGAuQSseI/AAAAAAAANq8/Ftql7pJalTc/s1600/Basalt+wall+rock.JPG

lmfao!

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

Have you even seen Family Guy?

Unfortunately not. I'm not even sure if it was screened in South Africa.