The pros and cons of Curbside pickup

Since the pandemic began over 16 months ago, forcing many businesses to shut down normal production, a new convenience emerged. Businesses scrambled to figure out how to shut their doors to the public but continue to be operational. Thus, curbside pickup was born.

This new convenience allows the customer to shop for their items online or through an app, and even pay for it. Once they arrive to the store, the customer checks in, and their items are brought to their car. Businesses from fast food to grocery stores offer it.

One must wonder, if this new convenience, like others, has drawbacks. Obviously, there are pros and cons to it.

Some of the pros that come with the service are speed, cost cutting, customer satisfaction, omnichannel experiences, guaranteed fulfillment, inclusiveness, socially distancing and easy rollout.

The speed comes from cutting down the shipping, buyers receive their items faster. It cuts costs because there are no shipping costs.

The curbside convenience minimizes the risk of damaged or stolen packages, leading to more customer satisfaction. A customer can order online and then choose to interact with the business physically, giving them an omnichannel experience.

The convenience also ensures that the customer gets what they ordered while practicing social distancing. The curbside pickup also re quires less of an operational makeover because the business uses existing resources.

The biggest draw of this convenience is the inclusiveness. Shoppers who have mobility issues or have social anxiety can shop without worry.

Just like everything in life, there are also cons to this service. These could be increased expectations, traffic jams, location mix-ups, and consumer travel costs.

Due to the convenience of curbside pickup, some customers expect their orders to be ready for them as soon as they arrive to the store. Delays from the store being shorthanded or an increase in orders might leave the customer feeling dissatisfied.

Many shoppers use the curbside convenience and can lead to traffic jams. Some businesses do not have enough employees to answer to the demand from the increase in customers using the service.

Another issue that might miff the shopper is location mix-ups. For cities that have more than one store location, shoppers might visit the wrong location to pick up their order. Another mix-up would be the customer sending the order to the wrong location. Either one of these mishaps could decrease the customer satisfaction, as well.

One of the drawbacks to curbside pickup but a plus for delivery is consumer travel costs. Some shoppers might not like the idea of using their own gas, or the use of public transportation to retrieve their goods.

The most harmful drawback, possibly, stems from one of the assets of the convenience. It allows people to practice social distancing. However, it could also push somebody with social anxiety even further down into themselves.

The minimal contact with people is what some people with social anxiety prefer. The downfall is it lessens what little social contact they do have, making their social anxiety even worse if they end up in a social situation.

When a shopper uses curbside pickup to avoid social situations, just be careful not to become a loner. Some socialization is healthy.

It is good for mental health. For children, it is important in their development. In adults, it keeps the brain active and helps prevent mental decline.