In this age of “overnight delivery” from retailers like Amazon, “instant delivery” is even better, right? Camping World says it has partnered with Instacart “to launch same-day delivery from more than 185 Camping World stores nationwide via the Instacart App and website. Camping World is the first dedicated camping and RV supplies retail partner to leverage Instacart’s technologies and give customers access to same-day delivery of nearly 1,800 products, in as fast as an hour.” Don’t get too excited—there’s more fluff here than reality. Camping World’s new same-day delivery may not serve a lot of RVers.
“Seamless same-day shopping”
With much ballyhoo, Camping World, late last week, issued a press release making it sound as if RVers could get what they needed almost immediately, without ever traveling to a CW store. The news release quoted a Camping World representative as saying, “Customers can explore our wide selection of outdoor gear, camping equipment, and RV essentials on Instacart and have them delivered right to their doorstep. For more than 55 years, we’ve been committed to evolving alongside our customers, and now they can access a seamless same-day shopping experience for their outdoor adventures.”
Same day delivery … seamless? It seems that depends on how far away you are from a Camping World store. Customers camping out in Quartzsite this winter will receive a message that indicates they need to pick another delivery address. How about bigger cities such as Olympia, Washington, the state’s capitol? Same response. Pick another address for delivery.
Same-day delivery a crapshoot
Just who can take advantage of Camping World’s same-day delivery appears to be a crapshoot. The big RV chain store has an outlet in Santa Clarita, California. If you ordered something sent to you in Fillmore, California, 25 miles away, you’re good for quick delivery. But in Palmdale, California, just 36 miles away, forget it. Pick another address.
If you are fortunate enough to live inside the delivery area, your first three Instacart deliveries from Camping World are free. After that, we’re not so sure. Neither Camping World nor Instacart clarify what the charges are, until you’ve had the first three for free. Since we don’t have an address in the boundaries, we couldn’t even order our first free delivery.
Want to take a shot at it? Visit https://www.instacart.com/store/camping-world/storefront or select the Camping World storefront on the Instacart App. And remember, like the press release says, “Whether stocking up for a trip or grabbing last-minute essentials, we’re committed to bringing the great outdoors to customers’ doorsteps in as fast as an hour.” Provided you’re close enough to Camping World.
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I am reluctant to even look at Camping World for an RV simply because of their reputation of once they have the money from your sale, they don’t want to even see you again. They don’t seem to provide service after the sale. I’ve heard stories of them apparently blocking the phone # of “Sold” customers so they don’t have to do any follow-up service.
What are some other Camping World’s customer’s experiences of this?
Thank you, Russ and Tina! Mo, wouldn’t want to risk helping CW in any way. I try (so far quite successfully) to avoid buying anything from them. 🙂 Wow! You two have been prolific; three of the first three stories with your by-line. Congratulations and thank you! 🙂
The only “evolving” I’ve witnessed at CW is prices higher than I can get the same things for almost anywhere else, even with the supposed GS discount, as well as a declining reputation for honesty and customer good will.
Years ago I shopped CW a lot. Now I don’t do any business with them.
I had to buy a new power cord, a 50-amp style. Was in a pickle, got it there. The exact same thing on Amazon was less than half-price. I get that they gotta pay for those shiny stores, but… geez.
I don’t know if I can hold my breath long enough to see how this works out. Besides, who needs anything that CW sells overnight or same day?
If it’s Camping world I stay away. I will stick with Amazon for my deliveries.
Ditto. Even personally visiting a CW location for RV supplies & parts became problematic when CW acquired Gander Mountain. They could order the item. Yeah, and mind-you, pre-pandemic, 10-day delivery was a crap shoot. I often waited weeks for delivery. Luckily I was at the stix&brix. This was an impossible situation on the road. For grins & giggles I walked through a CW a few months back. Unless the item is in the local store you aren’t going to get it same-day.