I noticed on Publix ads they have "curbside pickup", like Walmart. But, it appears the Villages locations all have only Insta-cart, so I have been using Walmart, a place I didn't use very often previously unless I was there for some other reason and picked up a grocery item. However, since I started using their free shopping and curbside pickup I am AMAZED at the service, the friendly efficient people working at the grocery PU, and most of all the outstanding produce and meat items I have received. I fully expected to try this ONE time and get rotting tomatoes and black bananas they could not not get rid of otherwise. I was SO WRONG. Everything, especially the produce is exactly what I would pick out for myself, even the berries ! Now this many months later, when shopping "regulations" have eased just a little, I am so spoiled by compiling my order by going to my laptop daily and adding items until the time and day I specified I want to pick them up, that I don't think I'll ever go back to my old habit of stopping in the grocery nearly everyday on my way back from the golf course or one of the pools ! Changed my life completely, but sure wish this had existed when I was working and raising a family.... LOL ! One sad note, since Walmart charges NOTHING for the P U service, and their prices are really low (something I did not realize since I did most of my grocery shopping elsewhere) on the brands I know and use, that I would give those who bring out and load them for you a generous tip. Then, a month or so ago the employee who brought my groceries out explained they were no longer able to accept tips and were REQUIRED to turn them in so Walmart could donate them to a charity Walmart chooses to support (and I imagine also get a tax deduction for donating what was meant for tips to the workers...and do they ever WORK, it is hot and hard work from what I have observed). This really made me sad Walmart would do that, but, as far as the free shopping and pickup, I am blown away at the quality and efficiency.
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