Advanced technologies now allow you to order and pick up groceries on the go. Additionally, you can get a doorstep delivery from certain responsible companies apart from a convenient pickup. Target has started the Drive Up initiative, a Curbside Pickup feature to keep its competitors on their toes.
Are you interested to know the Target Curbside Pickup cost? On the other hand, you might be eager to know what it is and how it works. This guide is for you if you want to know more about Target Drive Up before ordering your essentials through it.
Let’s get started.
What is Target Drive Up or Curbside Pickup?
Target now provides its customers with an opportunity to pick up their ordered items from stores. For example, you order a Target Drive Up Starbucks via its dedicated smartphone application. After that, an employee will bring you the drink or order to your car as soon as you reach the store’s driveway or park the vehicle at a specified parking spot.
What’s the motive for such a curbside pickup? The main advantage of Target Drive Up is that customers can cut down their waiting time. In other words, customers don’t have to wait in a long queue to receive their groceries and other orders. So, you can receive your order quicker with Target’s curbside pickup.
In addition, Target’s Drive Up initiative costs you cheaper compared to at-home delivery advantage. How long does Target Drive Up take? As of 2021, there were more than 1900 Target stores and the number has grown to date. So, you can get reliable and faster curbside pickup via Target Drive Up.
How Does Target’s Drive Up Work?
So, it’s important to figure out how Target’s curbside pickup work before you use the facility. After that, you can place an order through the Target app and get your pickup at the specified location or parking spot. Here’s what you have to follow to take advantage of the Target Drive Up initiative:
Install the Target Application on Your Smartphone
Drive Up is currently available on the Target application for Android and iOS devices. So, you can navigate to either the Google Play Store or App Store to download and install the Drive Up application.
Keep in mind that this application is available as a mobile app only. Therefore, you can’t place a curbside pickup request on target.com.
Set up the Application and Place an Order
Hopefully, you have downloaded the application securely. After that, choose the ‘Pick it up’ option followed by ‘Drive Up’. Next, you can order the required items and pay for the order.
However, this won’t immediately debit the money from your chosen payment account. You will only be charged for the order as soon as you reach the location and a message says, ‘ready for pickup.
Is Target Drive Up not working for a particular order? This happens because not all items are eligible for Target’s curbside pickup. Additionally, you might not get them when they are out of stock or a part of a limited stock. On a contrary note, Target doesn’t offer pickup for hazardous materials.
Wait Till You Get an Email about Your Order Being Prepared
You will get a notification when the ordered item is ready for pickup. Basically, Target uses both push notifications in the app and email to notify the corresponding customer. How long does it take for the Target order to be ready?
Well, you can expect the notification to arrive within 2 hours of requesting the pickup. Another exciting thing about Target curbside pickup is that you don’t have to notify them that you have arrived or specify a particular pickup time.
Target gives you a maximum 3-day window to receive your order after getting notified. So, you can pick them up at any time (if the goods are perishable, then you need to pick them up by the end of the same day) within the deadline.
Choose “I’m on my way” on the App
How does Target curbside pickup work for the next move? Now, you need to navigate to the Drive Up app and hit the option “I’m on my way”. This will let the application know that you are aware of the prepared order and will get your order soon.
You can reach the Target retailer during its business hours. Usually, all Target retailers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., so you can pick up your essentials any time until the retail store is open.
Park in a Dedicated Spot
As soon as you arrive at the Target store, you must park in one of the parking spots with signs saying ‘Drive Up’. Then, an employee will show up with your order to your car. Afterwards, you must confirm the order by opening the Target app and displaying the barcode.
As an alternative, you can carry any of the following identification items to confirm your order and verify your identity:
- U.S. passport
- A legal photo ID issued by the government
- Driver’s license issued by the State
- Green card
- Citizenship certificate
- ID card issued by the State
- Native American travel photo
- Certificate of naturalisation
- Permanent residency certificate
How long does Target curbside pickup take? Usually, Target employees will directly bring your order as soon as you park your vehicle. However, you might face a delay due to technical issues or the unavailability of ordered items. Therefore, you have to plan accordingly.
You should order from Target during the weekday evening if you are in a hurry. Here’s a heads-up: Don’t order through Target on a Saturday morning if you are in a rush.
In addition, Target will cancel the order and initiate a refund if you can’t pick up your order.
How Much Does Target’s Curbside Pickup Cost?
So far, you are aware of how Target curbside pickup works. So, how much does Target Drive Up cost? Well, it’s a free-of-cost service. This is because you need not place any order of a minimum value to get Target curbside pickup’s advantage.
So, what do you pay for? You have to pay for only the essentials from the Target store. The cost of products on the Target app is the same as you see in the store. If you can find a lower price compared to order prices from Target, the app might refund the difference.
The price-matching offer is valid up to 14 days after purchasing through Target. So, if you find similar orders at a lower price on Target, choose online competitors within 14 days of purchase.
On the other hand, Target provides you with opportunities to maximise your savings. You will get in-app discounts, promotions, coupons, and more with Target. In addition, Target offers loyal programs like Target Circle earnings that you can use to place Drive-up orders. If you check out for an order using a RedCard, then you will get an additional 5% off.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Target Curbside Pickup
Target’s curbside pickup service, Drive Up, undoubtedly sounds fun since you can omit waiting time. Still, we have come across some drawbacks to this service. And, it would be better if these cons are taken care of. We have listed both pros and cons of curbside pickup.
Here are the pros first:
- Target Drive Up offers a convenient shopping experience through easy pickup options. Now, you can get your daily essentials from various items along with lucrative discounts and coupons.
- Additionally, you can benefit from same-day pickup. Target ensures that the store prepares all your ordered items within 2 hours of placing the order. So, you don’t have to wait for hours in a queue.
- Does Target curbside pickup cost you more? No, it doesn’t. You don’t have to pay any additional delivery fee. So, Target Drive Up doesn’t cost you extra. You will likely pay for only the purchased products and associated taxes.
Now, what are the disadvantages of Target curbside pickup? Here are a few drawbacks that we have noticed:
- The Target Drive Up could be more user-friendly compared to its competitors. The app needs lots of improvements.
- Reportedly, the packaging of the order needs to be better. Some customers have complained that they didn’t get their order in insulated packaging. This is bad if you have ordered some kind of perishable food item.
- In addition, there’s a lack of communication between the customer and the Target store. Customers have reported that they hardly received the order-ready notification via their email.
What Can You Order from Target Drive Up?
You will get a wide range of items available on Target, and they are eligible for curbside pickup. From daily groceries to household essentials, everything is available in Target stores. However, using the Target app, you can determine whether your selected items are eligible for curbside pickup.
For example, you can view the product’s detail page and check if it mentions a ‘pick it up’ option. Additionally, you must select stores that provide fresh grocery products such as frozen food, cheese, milk, fresh produce, and more. Since these are perishable items, you must pick them up by the following business day.
Should You Try Target Drive Up?
You can place your first order on Target Drive Up if you prefer quick grocery shopping. Target curbside pickup policy is an ideal pickup service as it offers savings and convenience at the same time. So, install it and try its incredible features.
