Peapod

I agree with a majority of the other reviews on here. I have been a longstanding Peapod customer. Over the time I have been with them the service and quality has diminished drastically as the rates seem to skyrocket. Drivers getting here on time is more often then not an issue. Items you are counting on being in your order aren’t and frequently it’s not even listed as missing. The substitutions suck for lack of a better word. If I order unsweetened almond milk please don’t send sweetened as the substitute. That’s just straight up dumb. Most recently I questioned the length of time the meat is good for in the fridge after delivery. I don’t like to freeze the meat I am going to use for dinners for the week. If I go to the store I make sure to purchase meat that will last in the fridge for that period of Time so I know Giant has that available to them. The meat I receive via peapod all has to be eaten or frozen within one to two days of delivery. That’s ridiculous. Half of me thinks they get the meat that hasn’t sold in the stores and they give it to the peapod customers. I’m pretty much over Peapod. It just isn’t worth it anymore.

How is it convenient when I cannot depend on drivers to show up on time? I should be able to order groceries several days in advance and get them within the time frame I’ve requested but more than not, this doesn’t happen. Now pea pod charges an extra charge for the most desirable delivery times, yet I still have to pay this surcharge when they are late? This is ridiculous. They really should remove this extra charge if they are going to be late. Additionally, pea pod needs to do a better job of substituting items when something is out of stock. I wouldn’t mind if a different type of bread is substituted if the kind I’ve requested is «out of stock»; in fact I’d prefer that to having to go out and get a loaf of bread at the last minute on a Sunday night (because pea pod is late once again!) so that I can pack lunches for my family for the next day. There has to be a better system to the frequent lateness and out-​of-​stock staples that I’ve been experiencing with this service. In essence, it’s a great idea, but the execution needs some work.

Well, I kinda can’t believe I didn’t read these reviews before trying Peapod… Whoops. I’ll keep it short, as I would like to end my brief relationship with Peapod as quickly as possible: I ordered groceries. They never showed up. Customer service was shocked no one had been in touch– and very nicely cancelled my order so I did not have to deal with any rescheduling bs. As long as I actually get my refund, customer service was surprisingly great, so I believe the one star goes to it– not the grocery delivery side, which deserves zero stars.

Ordered over $ 200.00 worth of groceries Jan 8^th with a time frame delivery of 8pm-​10pm. I get an email at 10:42 stating my delivery is up next. I wait until 1:35 am for the order and still no one. It’s now the next day and I STILL haven’t received my order. I’ve been on the phone with customer service for like fifteen mins. Pea pod has horrible delivery and there have been times I’ve ordered fruit from them, it would always be old in a day or two, if not moldy when they deliver it to my door. I warn you stay away.

I’ve been a customer for 10+ years. Even before Giant Food took them over. I’m so Done with Peapod Delivery. They used to be awesome. But they’ve raised their rates significantly and diminished service. Gone are the days for next day delivery and even when you do schedule a service 3 days in advance they can’t even get it in gear enough to manage a 3 hour window. When I complained I get, «well I’m just dispatch» or «I’m just the driver». What ever… y’all better start just being dispatch or drivers for another company because this piss-​poor service is going down the tubes and won’t be in business long with this sort of service.

First, if you live in Northern VA, I don’t recommend this service. They are based in Maryland and they were late to deliver. My order consisted only 20 items which I made at 3pm on Sat and set delivery for between 4:30pm-9:30pm on Sun. I was naïve and thought a 5 hour delivery block was plenty of time. I did this for convinence but it became more of an inconvinence for me.

Peapod used to be awesome but they have changed drastically. More often than not they are out of things that they’re showing as in-​stock– even after you get your delivery and been told it’s out of stock. Their software is clearly dated. They’ve now added a «prime time +$ 5.00» charge to half of there delivery time frames. There is no lie on the face of this earth that will convince me that 7:00 in the morning is «prime time». Expiration dates on foods often arrive 1 or 2 days before they expire. Their customer service has become just plain nasty and unhelpful on the phone. After 2 years with Peapod I’m done.

They guys that drop your food off are great friendly and kind. I will like the fruits are not always the best as you would pick them out your self. It cost more on the site then at the store and your paying for a service fee. I honestly use them if I can not make it to the store but I feel like I could save more going in to the store my self.

Not the best of services. 4 of 12 eggs were broken, milk was sour, two items did not arrive. Customer service did refund some money but the lack of needed items was not addressed.

I am a frequent user of this service, being a VIPea would tell, and probably will continue to use this service due to bulky items I frequently need to stock. However, there are still many issues that should be improved in my opinion.
Almost every order, there’s a discrepancy, and not just the items that are ‘out of stock’. The delivery guys are always nice, and I don’t understand how their system is, but the guys never know what exactly should be in my order, they just report what’s out of stock then hand out the bags. The paper I need to sign at the end of delivery doesn’t list anything either (just the ‘out of stock’ items). So after the guys leave, I go through the bags, and most of times we have either items missing, or someone else’s items or both. The customer service is very nice about it and always give credit for missing items and let us keep the unintended extra items, however, it does ruin meal plans and becomes inconvenient.
At the beginning of using this service, I didn’t even go through the bags right away because I thought everything should be there, but now learning that your order is almost never perfectly delivered, I need to go through the bags right away and need the invoice handy. But then trying to view the invoice correctly…
When I go through the bags, I compare to the invoice posted online. If my order hasn’t exceeded one page length, I am able to see the whole invoice on my iPad, but if it exceeds to second page, my iPad doesn’t display it. If I made any changes to my order between the purchase date and order cutoff date, I don’t receive any finalized confirmation email, so I still don’t have an accurate list to compare to. When I log onto my PC, and click on the delivery date under ‘order invoices’, nothing happens, even after installing and running the latest Adobe reader thru the link they provide.
The customer service response to my PC question was very unsatisfactory. I spoke with Stewart and he said there’s no internal problem within Peapod (right away he was in defensive tone) but something wrong with my PC setting that need to be adjusted, then I asked what setting should I make, he said due to many variables he doesn’t know exactly without seeing my PC, so then I gave him what browser, Windows version and OS I use, he replied he’s not a technician, so I finally asked if I may talk to a technician, he said they’re not responsible to have technicians to help with such problems. At the end, he did send a copy of the invoice to my email so I was able to see the whole invoice. However, as a customer trying to access my account features on their website, I’m the one held responsible for technical issues? I’m surprised they have no technical help. (If I asked how to view all pages of the invoice in my iPad, he probably would have just told me I’m responsible for figuring out what’s wrong with my iPad.)
I don’t know if I’ll ever figure out how to read the invoices online from my PC, but for now, I need to try not to make any changes after purchase date, not to buy too many items and not to use electronic invoices as preference.
One time, our delivery was scheduled between 8pm-​10pm and around 9:30pm got a call from the driver that they’re running late. We waited until 10:45pm to only find out they just left our order outside in bunch of boxes on the driveway without any notice, so we had to move the boxes inside and also schedule for a box pickup. The customer service was very apologetic and nothing similar happened again, but it was an unpleasant incident.
And after many orders, I learned the produce is not at its best at many times. Sometimes already rotten produce come, and many times, the condition are just so so. I don’t feel as if I’m treated with their best when I see the produce. If possible, picking out your own produce is much better choice.
This is my first review in Unilocal and I hardly write reviews unless I’m really upset, so my 3 star rating might seem very generous, but the service does come in handy many times and I do thank that such service is available. However, I hope my honest review helps improve their system and service. I once tried Safeway last year, but thought they were more expensive, so stayed with Peapod. Also browsing felt easier with Peapod. But Safeway might have improved now, might give them another try. Thanks to all readers.

I have used this service for about three months. At first I thought it was great and told friends and family how wonderful it was to have groceries delivered to your door. But out of around twenty orders, only once was what they delivered exactly what I ordered. Often items were out of stock, OK, I can see that happens. Worse was when they brought a totally wrong item instead of what I ordered, and even worse than that was when there were items I ordered that they did not bring but were still on the invoice. Then you had to call them up and sometimes you would be on hold for a long time, a thing I hate, to get them to take it off the bill.
Once they were much much later with the delivery than they said they would be which was a major drag because I had to go out and could not wait for the delivery.
But today was the last straw. They did not bring about half the stuff on the order but it was all on the invoice. I had to waste time phoning them up, be put on hold and wait and wait, and then hassle with them to take the missing items off the bill. Then I had to go to the grocery store anyway to get the items they did not bring me.
That’s me done with Peapod.
Never again.

Stopped using Peapod about a year ago because they were late — every, single time! Decided with the added competition of Safeway and Instacart they must be stepping up their game — NOPE. Delivery today scheduled for 5 – 7 and they show up at 7:45. I got no courtesy call, no email, no nothing.
Called customer service at 7:20 and waited 15 minutes on the phone. When I finally got through all I got was, «yeah, the driver will be there in 15 minutes.» So they didn’t apologize, didn’t offer me anything and basically told me what they thought I wanted them to hear.
I am really sorry that I tried them again. I must be a glutton for punishment.

Peapod is the worst. Three orders in a row now have been screwed up. The first — we’re out of everything you want, but don’t worry, we substituted your chicken for turkey, your salmon for cod and your cat food for dog food. Well done, Peapod, well done. The second — scheduled delivery window between 7pm — 9pm. Phone call at 9pm, «we’re running late, we’ll be there between 11pm — 12am.» Not only are you running 2 hours late but you want to deliver my groceries at midnight?! The third (just this morning) — the driver brought two bags to the door (leaving 75% of the order in the truck) and drove away. When my wife called Peapod to tell them the driver needs to turn around and finish making the delivery, they told her to schedule a new time. These people make comcast look professional. Save your money, save your time and go elsewhere for online groceries.

The delivery driver was well beyond rude. I’d describe him as menacing.
Aside from worrying about whether I may have to defend myself, it was convenient and showed up at the scheduled time.

So after luring me back, again – I’m dropping Peapod again, wow. Somehow their dispatch is EVEN worse than it was before! And incredibly rude on the phone, I asked the gentleman that I spoke to tonight his name three times – and he refused to give it to me. I ended up cancelling the order because they were going to be over an hour late (scheduled delivery time 5 – 7 PM and they wanted to arrive «maybe» at 8:30),
Again, the drivers and the customer support are great. But the dispatch is terrible – and ruins the entire service.

I have to say — I’m REALLY impressed! My order was from 5pm-​7pm and I get an email at at 5:03pm telling me my order is next. Then at 5:18pm, the driver was at our door with our order!
I felt really bad for him because it decided to downpour right at 5pm. He was so nice and greeted me with a smile.
I picked up staples such as lunch meat, bread, some hot dog buns, even some canned items and lettuce and fresh mushrooms. Yes, I bought produce! The bread and buns were not smashed at all.
The lettuce was fresh and crisp, and the mushrooms were beautiful. The meats I purchased arrived ice-​cold and looked great. They’re not that cold at the store in the refrigerated section, I’ll tell you that.
Nothing was broken — even though I had some glass jarred items in there like salsa and jalapenos (last night was nacho night).
I’m really happy with our order and if I can find out who the driver was, I’d love to send Peapod a genuine compliment. He arrived in the rain with both arms full of our items.
I’m very happy with Peapod. They have a new customer!!! My husband was also very happy that he didn’t have to help me unload anything from the car either. =)

Basically the same as what everyone else said. I actually really liked Peapod until my experience tonight. The person running dispatch is a complete asshole. Like completely uninterested in any kind of customer service. After reading the other reviews, I think Im def done with Peapod.

I’ve been using Peapod regularly for about 4 months now (~ 1.5 orders a month) and I’m fed up with it. There are good things that they’re trying to do… but those do not remotely outweigh the awful end result. Let’s start with the good:
The Good:
* Phone customer service: never had to wait, always take my word for things and credit the account and/​or remove items from the order total.
* Range of products available: With the caveat that even things that say they are available at the time of ordering may be out of stock once the order is loaded onto a truck… in other words, absolutely no way for you, the consumer, to know if you’ll actually get your item.
* Timing: While I haven’t always been able to get my preferred delivery date or time, it’s always been reasonable, and the driver shows up within the window all but one time (and that time just a little late). The texting before they arrive really helps.
* Cost: Just about the least expensive.
The Bad:
* Availability of items: (see the last entry in «The Good») The fact is, their inventory system just doesn’t work. I have never had an order where everything was available at the time of delivery. Never.
* Missing items: Of my 6 orders, all but two were missing an item. Twice (30% of the time) there were multiple missing items. On this last order (my last ever) 20% of the items were missing (5 of ~25).
* No redelivery: When you have missing items the *only* recourse that customer service has is to remove it from your order total. They have no ability to resend an item (or two or three or…) that day. In other words, when they don’t deliver 20% of your order, and you need at least a couple of those items to make dinner that night, you’re just screwed.
* «Extra» items: I’m not talking about freebies (which they also do), I’m talking about random items from other people’s orders that make it into my home. Today it was 3 jugs of sweet tea… I do not drink sweet tea.
* The bags: … oh my god the bags. You can read other reviews on here for more on this, but for a 25-​item order I had 12 plastic bags.
* Delivery people: Yeah, I get it… it’s a low paying job that doesn’t really demand the friendliest people, but I have never gotten a repeat driver, and I have only had one «friendly» person. Most just grunt in my direction and shove the paper invoice in my hand. Half of them have left my gate open, but luckily I’ve learned to catch that so my dog doesn’t run away.
* Produce: Don’t do it… just don’t. I tried the first two times but it was so awful I couldn’t stand it. Bananas split open, onions with weird spots, apples bruised all over… ugh.
So yeah, I’m done with them. No more. Not worth it.

Yet again the delivery service fails for this element of retail shopping, and that’s what it’s about really isn’t it — delivery.
You can’t quibble about the price, and theirs no point focussing on product quality, it’s GIANT so it will max out mediocre.
BUT ON THE DELIVERY AND PACKING THEY ARE DIRE.
They just don’t care about customers or the environment.
1) After complaining that they refused to take the bags with recycling emblazoned all over them back — because — there was too many. The next delivery they just left in the garage with no indication it was there.
2) My 3 year old was helping me unpack, and was standing there holding a lump of dry ice saying what do it do with this daddy. If he’d have grabbed the block with his hands, we’d probably be writing this from ER.
No warning on the bag.
Nevermind that its been below freezing all day so where is the common sense here.
3) I started to lose count of the single items in a single bag at around 12 and a massive 2 items to a bag at 3. Every delivery there is huge amount of bags. Even if they do recycle, and most people won’t push it, it’s a huge amount of plastic!
4) Recycling? No they didn’t take any bags back with them this time either. They walked past them to put the delivery on the garage floor. Blind, dumb, plain stupid or just don’t give a damn. You guess is as good as mine.
Got to find a better service than this. I’ve given them so many chances.

I’ve used Peapod since I moved to the East Coast, and my experience has been overwhelmingly mediocre. Depending on what you’re looking for from a grocery delivery service, Peapod may or may not be the right choice for you.
Don’t use Peapod if:
— You need every single item you’re ordering at that moment, and can’t supplement your order with one or two items from a local grocery. Every time I’ve ordered from Peapod, they’ve been unable to provide at least one of t items. This time, it was beansprouts. Last time, red onions. Once (and only once), I was delivered moldy challah bread.
— You’re ONLY available to receive your groceries during the delivery window you’ve selected. Sometimes Peapod arrives early, but usually they’re 30 minutes — 1 hour late. My delivery window last night was 8−10PM, and my groceries arrived at 11:45PM. I couldn’t even call to check on their whereabouts, because Customer Care closes at 11:00PM.
HOWEVER, DO use Peapod if you appreciate the convenience and believe that good customer service can make up for the problems listed above. It’s worth nothing that:
— The drivers are very sweet. Every time I’ve been frustrated with an order, and have made a mental note not to tip the driver when he arrives, I’ve changed my mind over the course of my conversation with him. Lateness is usually the fault of Peapod’s warehouse, and the drivers have nothing to do with it.
— As long as you’re respectful to Customer Care, they’ll be kind to you. Last night, when my order was late, I explained my situation to one of their Customer Care representatives, and she knocked $ 20 off my order and gave me a voucher for $ 15 off of my next order.
The choice is yours. I’m sticking with Peapod, but only because Safeway’s selection is limited and Roche Brothers doesn’t service the Foggy Bottom area. If you have a smartphone, you may want to look into Postmates as an alternative.