A recent present I wanted to buy was an iPod case in a specific colour and pattern that was ideal for the person who wanted it. That specific Exian case was on the Staples, Walmart and Amazon websites but was not available for in store purchase at any of them. The only one offering free shipping for the item, at the time I made my purchase, was Walmart.ca. It offered free shipping to any nearby Canada Post location where I would have to go to pick it up, or free delivery to my home by Canada Post. It was more convenient, and sneaky, for me to pick the item up at a Canada Post location inside my nearby Shoppers Drug Mart. So I signed in to Great Canadian Rebates, clicked through to Walmart.ca, and ordered the iPod 5 case for free Flex Delivery to the Canada Post location for pickup: here’s how it went.
Remember You Can Get a Buck or Two Back On Many Purchases Via Great Canadian Rebates
As I’ve written before, if you are buying something online anyway, if you start your shopping expedition by signing into your account at GreatCanadian Rebates.ca and then clicking through to your store of choice, you can often get 0.5-4% of your purchase price back in amazon.ca gift certificates.
So I started my shopping at greatcanadianrebates.ca. I signed in using my email address and password, then I selected Walmart.ca from the QuickLinks drop-down list.
That took my to the Walmart.ca website.
How Easy Is It to Online Shop at Walmart.ca?
I used Walmart’s search box to find the iPod cover easily. In the text box labelled “What product are you looking for?” I typed iPod 5 and clicked on the magnifying glass icon.
The case I was looking for came up on the first search page. I clicked on it, then clicked on the Add to Cart button.
The sales process was quite straight forward.
I typed in my email address and clicked the Next button.
I clicked to select Pick up at Walmart Grab& Go or Canada Post Office.
I typed in my First and Last Name and the postal code to find a pickup location nearby.
I clicked to select the nearest Shoppers Drug Mart which has a Post Office inside.
I clicked the Next button.
After reviewing the order and the cost, which included no cost shipping, I selected my credit card type, and entered my credit card data.
I typed in my billing name, address and phone number.
Then I clicked on the Place Order button.
They emailed my receipt with a confirmation number immediately.
How Did the Canada Post FlexDelivery Free Parcel Pickup Service Work? A Review
The next day, I received a Canada Post email advising me that my order had been received for shipping and providing me with a tracking number.
Although the item was sent by “expedited” mail, I notice that it was received into a Canada Post facility on a Friday afternoon and did not move again till Monday morning.
Two days before the “expected delivery date” I was advised by email that my item was ready for pickup at my nearby Shoppers Drug Mart.
As advised, I took a piece of government issued photo I.D. with me and walked over to the Post Office. (The email delivery notification did provide me with a letter I could use to authorize someone else to pickup the item if I wished.)
Somewhat to my surprise, given the large number of parcels they were managing that week, my Canada Post outlet had no trouble finding the package. I did have to show my id, not just the notification letter, but after that the envelope was in my hand and I was wandering through the aisles trying to remember if we needed any toothpaste or President’s Choice items.
Overall, I’d rank the FlexDelivery service as excellent. One delivery isn’t really a big test but it was a small package during a very busy time of year and it arrived early and undamaged.
I’d try it again.
UPDATE: In July 2016 Walmart is no longer listed as a store from which I can buy stuff through Great Canadian Rebates. I hope they will be available again in the future!
Related Reading
- How to Join Great Canadian Rebates
- How I Saved $5.40 Off the $99 Sale Price for Office 2016 and Got a Roll of Designer Duct Tape Plus $1 Back
Join In
Have you tried this “almost home delivery” service to your nearest Canada Post outlet? Did it work out ok or did you resolve to never try it again? Please share your experience with a comment.
