Google Shopping Express • Hacker News Board

Re: Google Shopping Express

#11

Post by 2pasc » Tue, Jul 15, 2014, 5:51 PM UTC

selectout wrote: post #2

Been using this for a little over a year now and I can honestly say it's become almost a dependency for me. It really is amazing being able to order something and most of the time have it arrive within 3-5 hours or worst case scenario the next morning. I can ship things to work or my home (for free currently), etc. I'm guessing I may hold back on it when they start charging as I could do things like Instacart for qui…

It's funny that you would switch to Instacart if they (=google) charged you, when Instacart is already 20-30% more expensive of Google Shopping Express on most items already (this is how they make money).

Re: Google Shopping Express

#12

Post by richardlblair » Tue, Jul 15, 2014, 5:51 PM UTC

apendleton wrote: post #4

As far as I can tell, there's no way to determine what this is if you're not in a zipcode that they serve. I'm not, so I remain in the dark... not the best user experience.

94109 got me in.

Re: Google Shopping Express

#13

Post by 2pasc » Tue, Jul 15, 2014, 5:53 PM UTC

r00fus wrote: post #3

I've been spending thousands a year on Amazon. Last year that changed dramatically. I probably spent half what I used to on Amazon, and the majority of that redirected spending is now spent at GSX. Initially the prices favored Amazon, but as of late, I've been finding things (search: "training pants 3t") where Amazon is 50%+ more expensive than the local stores through GSX. The same day experience is mind-blowing; I…

Out of curiosity - what kind of more "local" stores would you like if GSX is coming from chains anyway? (I live in the Bay Area, so you can give precise names, and I might know them). Thanks!

Re: Google Shopping Express

#14

Post by broabprobe » Tue, Jul 15, 2014, 6:18 PM UTC

guess I'm puzzled why this is on the front page today. Been using this for months. It's fabulous though.

Re: Google Shopping Express

#15

Post by vikas5678 » Tue, Jul 15, 2014, 6:25 PM UTC

What I really need is a service that can deliver milk and eggs and other staples in a day, seems like most cant do that.

Re: Google Shopping Express

#16

Post by vikas5678 » Tue, Jul 15, 2014, 6:26 PM UTC

vikas5678 wrote: post #15

What I really need is a service that can deliver milk and eggs and other staples in a day, seems like most cant do that.

I'm in San Jose, incase anyone knows of a service that does deliver?

Re: Google Shopping Express

#17

Post by Aloisius » Tue, Jul 15, 2014, 6:26 PM UTC

Do people use this in San Francisco? The selection seems awfully limited. I typically get everything from Amazon and Postmates - except foodstuffs which I pick up myself.

Re: Google Shopping Express

#18

Post by DeepakShah » Tue, Jul 15, 2014, 6:29 PM UTC

This is great, looks like they have expanded their coverage across the bay.

Re: Google Shopping Express

#19

Post by DeepakShah » Tue, Jul 15, 2014, 6:30 PM UTC

Aloisius wrote: post #17

Do people use this in San Francisco? The selection seems awfully limited. I typically get everything from Amazon and Postmates - except foodstuffs which I pick up myself.

yes, people absolutely use this - and seems to be loving it.

Re: Google Shopping Express

#20

Post by nathannecro » Tue, Jul 15, 2014, 6:55 PM UTC

graeme wrote: post #9

selectout wrote: post #2

Been using this for a little over a year now and I can honestly say it's become almost a dependency for me. It really is amazing being able to order something and most of the time have it arrive within 3-5 hours or worst case scenario the next morning. I can ship things to work or my home (for free currently), etc. I'm guessing I may hold back on it when they start charging as I could do things like Instacart for qui…

It's not available in my area, but looks interesting. How does it work? * Who delivers? * Is it just local stores, or can it tap into warehouses? * Can you get books?

Google operates GSX. They have cute little vans with "Google Shopping Express" painted on them which drive around and deliver the products.

It's whichever local stores agree to partner with Google. As far as I know, the process works like this:

1. Google partners with a store. They place some subset of the inventory of that store online.

2. As a user, you browse that inventory and buy.

3. The store receives the order, places the item into a storage bin in the back and waits for a GSX van to come pick it up.

4. Every so often, a GSX van will swing by, pick up the goods, then deliver.

Yes, you can get books. As far as I know, the only real product you can't get is fresh produce. I think produce has far too low of a volume-profit ratio (and of course, produce spoils if left sitting inside of a hot van for hours on end).