I never was a big fan of major retailer sites (e.g. Walmart,Kmart,Sears). A few years back,my wife and I were trying to buy a hard-to-find toy box for Christmas. The only store that carried it was Kmart …online. Although the toy box only cost about $125,we ended up paying about $70 in shipping,due to bulkiness,inability to stock in the store,and they had us over a barrel (Merry Christmas!).
This holiday season I noticed while Kmart was pushing layaway,Walmart is offering free shipping to participating stores. I’m intrigued. But how good is it? As a comparison I searched for large bulky items on both Walmart and Amazon. When comparing dinette sets it was a push. Both retailers offered free shipping on some items,but the majority of dinette/kitchen sets had a separate charge for shipping (e.g. about $100 on a $500 set). Amazon offered free shipping on items they stocked,while Walmart offered free shipping online items stocked in their store.
Another comparison was on a 52″1080p Sony HDTV. Both had free shipping,but that is where the similarities ended. It occurred to me getting an HDTV to the local Walmart still left a span of 4.56 miles from the shipping dock to my living room. Checking the dimensions I noticed my Ford Explorer does not have the clearance inside,and strapping it to the roof rack is probably not the best way to transport a $2,000 television. On the other hand,Amazon had a wonderful shipping value proposition:Free White Glove Delivery. The White Glove delivery entails:
When you purchase this TV from Amazon.com,it receives our special white-glove delivery service. After your purchase,an agent will call you within five days to arrange delivery. At your home,delivery experts will:carry your product to any accessible room in your home —including upstairs rooms —provided the package will fit;unpack your product and place it on assembled furniture;provide a setup checklist;and remove all packing materials from your home if you wish.
Not bad. Ironically,while Walmart is trumpeting its ability to get your holiday gift most the way home,Amazon’s White Glove treatment could be this holiday’s best kept secret.
