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So, when we ordered groceries from Walmart last year the shipping was FREE if you ordered $45+ worth of groceries.
If came USPS Priority and we just picked it up at the post office. The average savings on each item versus purchasing it here on STX was close to 80%!! Most of the items we ordered were at least 1/2 the cost of purchasing them here!
Then, something occured that forced Walmart to no longer ship to the VI, even at a cost to the buyer..
A few weeks ago, we noticed that they were shipping here again but now they charge you for the shipping. O.K., that makes sence!
So, we placed and order and thought that the shipping was a bit much so we decided ot send it to Paradise Freight and onward to STX. As I recall, the shipping was about $45 which is a far cry from the FREE shipping they used to offer.
This is what we ordered as a test.
2 Nabisco Premium Original Saltine Crackers, 16 oz
1 Diamond Of California Chopped Walnuts, 8 oz
1 Diamond Of California Chopped Pecans, 8 oz
1 Chex Wheat Cereal, 14 oz
2 Betty Crocker White Angel Food Cake Mix, 16 oz
2 Great Value: Coffee Non-Dairy Creamer, 35.3 Oz
1 Hidden Valley The Original Ranch Dressing, 36 fl oz
1 Hidden Valley: Fat Free The Original Ranch Dressing,
3 Minute Instant Enriched Long Grain White Rice, 42 oz
3 Minute Instant Whole Grain Brown Rice, 28 oz
2 Sunshine Cheez-It Crackers, 13.7 oz
1 Great Value Clover Honey, 32 oz
2 Betty Crocker Super Moist Yellow Cake Mix, 15.25 oz
3 Nabisco Triscuit Reduced Fat Crackers, 8 oz
2 Nabisco Triscuit Cracked Pepper & Olive Oil Crackers, 9 oz
2 Nabisco Triscuit Fire Roasted Tomato & Olive Oil Crackers, 9 oz
3 Maxwell House Original Roast Medium Ground Coffee, 30.6 oz
The total cost from Walmart was $103.57 which represented a significant savings over what you can buy the same items on STX for.
Also, the items are FRESH and EDIBLE when you receive them. You don't have to remove bugs and rebake the dry goods!
So, we thought we would try Paradise Freight on this shipment and we just got a call that it is ready for pickup. The shipping came to $56!
I think it would have been the same if we used VI Cargo as they both charge close to the same amount per cubic foot.
If we had just used Walmart, we would have not only saved about $15 but also would have received the goods last week!
Posted : August 12, 2013 9:41 pm
Maybe the order was split into multiple shipments that arrived at different times? Ask Paradise Freight, they should explain why it was priced that way.
Posted : August 13, 2013 12:53 am
Topic starter
The shipment is just a little under 5 cu. ft.
Posted : August 13, 2013 10:23 am
that is crazy. but one question. how do you keep all those crackers fresh before you can eat them all
Posted : August 13, 2013 12:03 pm
It would be interesting to see a side-by-side comparison with the prices if sourced locally.
Posted : August 13, 2013 12:11 pm
that is crazy. but one question. how do you keep all those crackers fresh before you can eat them all
If it were me, I would have used one of those vacuum sealers. They should be worth their weight in gold on the island.
Posted : August 13, 2013 12:55 pm
Topic starter
Update....picked up the shipment and Marissa at Paradise Freight kindly gave us a break on the shipping and lowered the cost to $35.
PF does not use a standard $5 per cu. ft but a graduated scale. This makes the purchase a good value based on the price of the goods.
I must admit that the service at PF during the entire transaction was superb!! Will definitely use them again.
VIcanuck...I can't give you a breakdown on the entire order but I can give you comparisons on a few of the items from a recent price check.. As I mentioned, everything is at least 80% less.
WM STX
MInute Rice $4.78 $11.50 Foodtown,,,,no one else carries it on STX
Triscuits $2.50 $4.59 Big K
Coffee $7.25 $12.25+ Cost U More
Walnuts/Pecons $4.28 $10+ Foodtown
Posted : August 13, 2013 1:01 pm
I see you got the Value Honey. I get orange blossom honey in central Florida sooooo thick you have to use a spoon to get it out of the container. 🙂 Walmart honey isn't even close.
Posted : August 13, 2013 3:55 pm
wouldnt the vacuum sealer crush the crackers
Posted : August 13, 2013 7:19 pm
Not if done properly it shouldn't.
Posted : August 13, 2013 10:39 pm
VIcanuck...I can't give you a breakdown on the entire order but I can give you comparisons on a few of the items from a recent price check.. As I mentioned, everything is at least 80% less.
WM STX
MInute Rice $4.78 $11.50 Foodtown,,,,no one else carries it on STX
Triscuits $2.50 $4.59 Big K
Coffee $7.25 $12.25+ Cost U More
Walnuts/Pecons $4.28 $10+ Foodtown
Those prices are not 80% less. They're about 50% less, meaning WM prices are about half the STX prices.
Posted : August 13, 2013 10:56 pm
i have heard that before. your best bet is to get local honey. i have also heard local honey, if you eat it often will help with allergies
Posted : August 14, 2013 11:33 pm
I believe that the stuff walmart sells is. But I get my Honey right from the Bee Hive owners, so I know for a fact it ain't fake. Also, Orange Blossom honey is the only honey I eat because that is what I enjoy and grew up eating. I was raised in central Florida which back in the day was the Orange belt before all the winter freezes destroyed most of the orange trees.
Posted : August 15, 2013 12:05 pm
