Google Shopping Express now available to all SF and Peninsula Shoppers • Hacker News Board

Re: Google Shopping Express now available to all SF and Peninsula Shoppers

#11

Post by k-mcgrady » Wed, Sep 25, 2013, 5:45 PM UTC

daphneokeefe wrote: post #10

Installed it on my iPad and tried to set up a credit card. Total failure. The UI is hideous and doesn't render properly on iPad. JavaScript validation error on page load disables the user -- can't go back, can't cancel out, and closing & re opening the app returns you to the frozen page. Who needs this aggravation? Uninstalled and wandered off. Back to shopping on Amazon.

They have mobile apps available now according to the blog post.

Re: Google Shopping Express now available to all SF and Peninsula Shoppers

#12

Post by BryantD » Wed, Sep 25, 2013, 5:54 PM UTC

samspenc wrote: post #4

Looks cool, here's wishing it comes to NYC soon! But what's Google's play in this? Isn't this a really low-margin business?

Collecting data about customer purchasing habits is valuable in the aggregate. Shopping Express links that data more general data about the customer's habits on the Web, etc. In some cases this will enable Google to serve the customer better, and in some cases this will enable Google to serve advertisers better.

Re: Google Shopping Express now available to all SF and Peninsula Shoppers

#13

Post by jstepka » Wed, Sep 25, 2013, 6:09 PM UTC

Instacartlove wrote: post #8

I really hope Instacart and Postmates can compete with them! I see different use case for all of them. My first choice for groceries that i need the same day would be Instacart, i also love the on-demand food from great restaurants and the ability to get a few grocery items within the hour by Postmates and Google Shopping Express looks like a good Amazon alternative.

I like Instacart better than Google's service. Instacart delivers produce, butcher meat and seafood from Safeway, Costco, and Whole Foods.

One problem that I've noticed with these delivery services is that the freshest food is not always delivered. I'll take my time at the grocery store to find the best pick; these shoppers seem to grab the first thing they see.

Re: Google Shopping Express now available to all SF and Peninsula Shoppers

#14

Post by dave5104 » Wed, Sep 25, 2013, 6:27 PM UTC

dougmccune wrote: post #7

I've been surprised by how useful this has been over the past few months. Just last week I busted my phone USB charger by accidentally knocking it off the table and bending the connector. This was around 10pm, so I ordered a new one and it arrived around 10am the next morning on my doorstep, well before my phone ran out of battery. Call it a first world problem, but same-day (or next morning) delivery is a minor but…

I don't have a car, so I always use public transit to go to and fro the store. My biggest joy for GSE is ordering heavy/bulky items, like laundry detergent and paper towels--and not having to lug them onto the bus! It's a very convenient luxury indeed.

Re: Google Shopping Express now available to all SF and Peninsula Shoppers

#15

Post by dave5104 » Wed, Sep 25, 2013, 6:34 PM UTC

awwstn wrote: post #9

I've really loved using this service in the free beta, but I've often wondered whether I'd be willing to pay the delivery fee on a regular basis. We'll see!

I think for me, the delivery fee is going to really influence my frequency of buying. I never hesitate to think of one item I need--and order it for same or next day. I think once my beta period shuts off, I'll probably instead keep a running shopping cart of stuff and only order periodically.

Re: Google Shopping Express now available to all SF and Peninsula Shoppers

#16

Post by gnu8 » Wed, Sep 25, 2013, 6:41 PM UTC

Does this represent a viable Google service, or is it just another perk for those living in San Frangoogle to be subsidized by the electronic serfs that are Google's users?

Re: Google Shopping Express now available to all SF and Peninsula Shoppers

#17

Post by g123g » Wed, Sep 25, 2013, 6:44 PM UTC

A question to ppl who are currently using this service. Do you tip the drivers, if so, how much?

Re: Google Shopping Express now available to all SF and Peninsula Shoppers

#18

Post by cromwellian » Wed, Sep 25, 2013, 6:49 PM UTC

gnu8 wrote: post #16

Does this represent a viable Google service, or is it just another perk for those living in San Frangoogle to be subsidized by the electronic serfs that are Google's users?

It extends to the entire peninsula not just SF. Obviously, scaling something like this nation wide is a major undertaking, so it will take time.

I don't get the dig against Google's users. Why must every HN comment on Google these days be accompanies by some snark.

Re: Google Shopping Express now available to all SF and Peninsula Shoppers

#19

Post by tb303 » Wed, Sep 25, 2013, 6:52 PM UTC

g123g wrote: post #17

A question to ppl who are currently using this service. Do you tip the drivers, if so, how much?

No, you mostly won't even encounter the drivers, they are so busy they're already back in their cars by the time you get to the door!

Re: Google Shopping Express now available to all SF and Peninsula Shoppers

#20

Post by tb303 » Wed, Sep 25, 2013, 6:55 PM UTC

I have been using this weekly since first getting access. Totally worth it. I've had a magsafe adapter (Staples) same-day delivered when I forgot mine at work, groceries when I wasn't able to swing by the store on the way home that day, etc. One of the best things is how the UI suggests your frequently bought items. This is a better way for me to restock household items than amzn subscribe and save, which has left me (via my own mistake in specifying interval) with enough q-tips to last through the year 3000.