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Google Shopping Express now available to all SF and Peninsula Shoppers

googlecommerce.blogspot.com

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

#31

Post by dougmccune »

bsullivan01 wrote: post #27
dannyr wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Geez. So much hate. If it's not viable, why do you think Google is expanding it after testing it for months?

If it's not viable, why do you think Google is expanding it after testing it for months? Expanding to where exactly? Nationwide? Nope, a very small and high density area. Google's loses are limited. Don't take it a snark, but this is not Google's main line of business at all and quite a few companies have gone under doing just this. Google can afford to lose a certain amount but expect this to end when Google's growt…

expect this to end when Google's growth is slowed and spending cuts need to be made

At which point I resume actually walking to the store. I can live with that risk.

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

#33

Post by eliben »

g123g wrote: post #17

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

I think it's an important part of the model that there are no tips. This keeps the prices very attractive. You rarely see who brought you the package - you just find it by the door.

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

#34

Post by dave5104 »

alwaysdoit wrote: post #26
dave5104 wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

People always complain that Google is making us dumber. Now I guess they can complain it's making us weaker as well.

Whenever I go shopping, I bring two canvas bags with me and fill them. That's all I can carry, basically. And having to fill a lot of that space with heavy detergent or bulky paper towels means I either need to go on a second shopping trip (which I don't want to do), or decide what things I'm /not/ getting that week.

So sure, some people might end up weaker, but I'm still lugging some heavy bags home with me each week.

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

#35

Post by mcpherrinm »

simulate wrote: post #25

This is useful for getting kitchen supplies for our 25 person office. It's a small bummer that they don't deliver beer and wine from Whole Foods or Lucky for our Friday Beers but otherwise a great improvement in convenience. Given that Safeway delivers alcohol and Whole Foods and Lucky clearly stock it, it must be a policy by Google Shopping Express that prohibits beer and wine delivery.

I think part of the concern is that GSE seems to drop products and run, whereas Safeway drivers always have me sign for my package and get the bins unloaded before they go. I'd think there would be issues with leaving unattended alcohol, given this country's laws on controlling it.

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

#36

Post by makeramen »

dave5104 wrote: post #34
alwaysdoit wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People always complain that Google is making us dumber. Now I guess they can complain it's making us weaker as well.

Whenever I go shopping, I bring two canvas bags with me and fill them. That's all I can carry, basically. And having to fill a lot of that space with heavy detergent or bulky paper towels means I either need to go on a second shopping trip (which I don't want to do), or decide what things I'm /not/ getting that week. So sure, some people might end up weaker, but I'm still lugging some heavy bags home with me each wee…

I'd liken this to the "washing machine effect" that Hans Rosling explaned in his TED talk [1]. He essentially made the case that the washing machine made a huge difference in the history of the world so parents could spend more time with their kids (among other things) instead of many hours a week just washing clothes. I would say Google Shopping Express has a similar effect for shopping trips where the time spent greatly affects the amount of things an individual can accomplish in a day.

[1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZoKfap4g4w

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

#37

Post by abbott »

jstepka wrote: post #13
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.

what happens to fresh food and preservatives if you're not home?

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

#38

Post by abbott »

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.

download the iOS app for iPhone and iPad — https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-shopping-express/id69...

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

#39

Post by melange »

cromwellian wrote: post #18
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.

Because for years Google received unalloyed adoration from the tech community because they presented themselves as a genuinely better kind of company, but now that have shown themselves to be just another corporation that will say or do anything for profit, people are cynical about them.

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

#40

Post by bsullivan01 »

dougmccune wrote: post #31
bsullivan01 wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If it's not viable, why do you think Google is expanding it after testing it for months? Expanding to where exactly? Nationwide? Nope, a very small and high density area. Google's loses are limited. Don't take it a snark, but this is not Google's main line of business at all and quite a few companies have gone under doing just this. Google can afford to lose a certain amount but expect this to end when Google's growt…

expect this to end when Google's growth is slowed and spending cuts need to be made At which point I resume actually walking to the store. I can live with that risk.

True, but I responded to a different comment. In essence the person I replied too was tired of people wondering if Google will stick this long term, considering their gazillion projects.
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