- Even with the variety of speedy shipping options available these days, sometimes you want to go into a store and pick up a product yourself. Whether it’s to check out the product in person or because you need it right away, buying a product in a store has a lot of perks – though you may not always have time for a shopping adventure.
- Luckily, for those situations when you need a gift, or a product for yourself, as soon as possible, there’s the “Buy Online, Pick Up in Store” option.
- This handy service provided by some of your favorite department stores and retailers lets you browse and purchase products online, then pick them up in the physical store as early as the same day.
Other than decreasing your stress over whether you’ll get what you need in time for when you need it, the “Buy Online, Pick Up in Store” option is also useful for:
- When you don’t want to deal with other shoppers or long checkout lines
- When you’d like to get a gift for someone but keep it discrete
- When you live close to a local store, and it’s more convenient to just pick it up
While the basic premise of “Buy Online, Pick Up in Store” is similar across stores, there are some subtle differences that are important to note, especially regarding return, hold, and charge policies.
For each store below, we’ve broken down the different pickup options, what to do after you place your order, what you need at the store, what to do if you’d like someone else to pick up the order, and how long your order will be held at the store.
Keep reading for all you need to know about in-store pickup at 15 popular stores:
Target
Pickup options: Look for “Free Order Pickup” when adding an item to your cart on Target’s website. You can also shop from a list of free-order-pickup eligible items by browsing any category and selecting “Free order pickup” from the availability dropdown.
What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the Guest Services counter at the store to pick up your item.
What you need at the store: A photo ID.
If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: You can add or change an alternate pickup person on the order details page by editing the "Delivery" section. This person needs to bring their own photo ID.
How long your order will be held at the store: Seven days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, your order will be canceled and you won't be charged. You can extend your pickup window by one day by signing into your online account or visiting your order details page.
Shop online and pick up in store at Target
Nordstrom
Pickup options: When you're looking at a category or search results, go to "Shop your store" and enter your zip code to filter the results accordingly. Then select the store at checkout.
The order is usually available for pickup within two hours, though it can take longer during busier times like the holidays.
What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email (usually within four hours of order) before you go to the store to pick up your item, or in some locations, have an employee bring your order directly to your car.
What you need at the store: A photo ID and the credit card used at checkout.
If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: Contact the store directly to update the pickup information for the new person.
How long your order will be held at the store: Seven days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, your order will be canceled and you'll be refunded your payment.
Shop online and pick up in store at Nordstrom
Macy's
Pickup options: Select the "Free pickup today" box in the search results page, then choose the pickup option at checkout. If you order by 12 p.m. local time, the items should be ready for pickup later that day.
What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the designated location at the store to pick up your item.
What you need at the store: A photo ID and a copy of the notification email.
If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: Forward the notification email to them to take to the store along with their photo ID.
How long your order will be held at the store: Seven days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, your order will be canceled and you'll be refunded your payment.
Shop online and pick up in store at Macy's
Walmart
Pickup options: Look for the "Free pickup today" filter as you shop online. Most items are available for pickup within four hours if they are in stock at a local store. Orders placed after 4 p.m. local time will be available for pickup the next day.
When you search by "Free pickup + discount," you can even get a discount on select items if you choose to pick up in store. This discount will be automatically applied when you complete your order.
What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the pickup desk at the store to pick up your item.
What you need at the store: A copy of your Ready for Pickup email. Orders over $200 require a photo ID.
If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: You can designate a pickup person during checkout or edit it later in "Order details." It may take up to four hours for the new pickup person to update. This new person needs to bring a copy of your Ready for Pickup email.
How long your order will be held at the store: Seven days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, your order will be canceled and you'll be refunded your payment.
Shop online and pick up in store at Walmart
Best Buy
Pickup options: During checkout, choose Store Pickup and select your store. Best Buy will show you an estimated pickup date. Depending on the item, it can be ready for pick up as early as an hour.
What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the Store Pickup counter at the store.
What you need at the store: A photo ID, the credit card used at checkout, and the order number.
If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: You can designate an alternate pickup person during checkout. This person needs to bring their ID and order number.
How long your order will be held at the store: Five days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, your order will be canceled and you'll be refunded your payment. You can extend your pickup window by calling your local store or contacting customer service.
Shop online and pick up in store at Best Buy
The Home Depot
Pickup options: Choose the "Pick Up In-Store" option on the product page or in your cart. The filter is also the first one you'll see as you browse search results on the website. Most items will be ready for in-store pickup within two hours of the time you place your order.
What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the Customer Service desk at the store to pick up your item.
What you need at the store: A photo ID and the order number or copy of the notification email.
If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: You can designate an alternate pickup person during checkout. This person needs to bring their ID, order number, and notification email.
How long your order will be held at the store: Seven days. Orders not claimed after that will be available based on the product type and store location. If, after 30 days, you have not canceled or picked up your order, it will be automatically refunded.
Shop online and pick up in store at The Home Depot
Kohl's
Pickup options: On the product page, click the "Free store pickup" tab next to "Ship." You can also choose this option in your shopping bag and during checkout.
Orders are typically ready within two hours after they are placed online. However, if you place an order after 7 p.m. local time, it may not be ready until the next day.
What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the Customer Service desk at the store to pick up your item.
What you need at the store: A photo ID and a copy of the notification email.
If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: Add an alternate pickup person to the Pickup Option section during checkout. This new person will need to bring a photo ID and a copy of the notification email.
How long your order will be held at the store: Seven days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, your order will be canceled and you'll be refunded your payment. If you need more time, contact the store to request an extension.
Shop online and pick up in store at Kohl's
Apple
Pickup options: Each product page will display "Pickup: See availability in other stores." Click this link, enter the zip code or the city where you'd like to pick up the item, then select "Pick up" at checkout.
Some items, marked "Available Today," will usually be ready for pickup within an hour.
You may also be able to select a window of time to pick up your order. This check-in window will ensure that your order is available shortly after you arrive. All you have to do is check in with a specialist when you get to the store. If you're unable to come in during this time window, you can still pick up your order, but wait times may vary.
What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the store to pick up your item.
What you need at the store: A photo ID and order number.
If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: Select "Someone else will pick up these items" at checkout. This new person will need to bring a photo ID and the order number.
How long your order will be held at the store: 21 days. You will get reminder emails every week until the 21st day, at which point Apple will cancel your order and refund your purchase.
Shop online and pick up in store at Apple
Shop the best iPhones for every type of person and budget
REI
Pickup options: Select "Pick up in store" in step one of checkout. When you place your order, you will be given an estimated arrival date. You will not be charged for your order until you pick it up in store. Note: Many bike brands can be shipped to select REI stores only. They cannot be shipped to your home or other addresses.
What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the store to pick up your item.
What you need at the store: A photo ID and copy of the notification email.
If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: Forward the notification email to them to take to the store along with their photo ID. REI also suggests contacting the store directly to let them know someone else will be picking up your package.
How long your order will be held at the store: 14 days. If you need more time, contact the store to request an extension.
Shop online and pick up in store at REI
The Container Store
Pickup options: Enter your zip code at checkout or on any product page to view that product's availability at your local store. Then select the Pickup option at checkout. You can choose a date and time that's convenient for you to pick up your order.
What to do after you place your order: Wait to receive an order confirmation email with detailed directions for either picking up your order in the store or, in most locations, having an employee bring your order directly to your car.
What you need at the store: The order confirmation number.
If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: All they need to do is bring the order confirmation number to the store.
How long your order will be held at the store: 30 days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, your order will be canceled and you'll be refunded your payment.
Shop online and pick up in store at The Container Store
JCPenney
Pickup options: Select "Check store availability" as you shop online, then select "Same day pickup" at checkout. You can also filter items by "Free same day pickup" in every category.
Orders are typically ready within four hours. For same-day pickup, orders must be placed by 3 p.m. local time. Otherwise, they might not be available until the next day.
What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the designated location at the store to pick up your item.
What you need at the store: A photo ID, the credit card used at checkout, and the order number.
If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: You can designate the alternate pickup person when ordering, and they will receive the notification email. The new person needs to bring a photo ID and the order number.
How long your order will be held at the store: 10 days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, it will be canceled and you'll be refunded your payment. If you need more time, contact the store to request an extension.
Shop online and pick up in store at JCPenney
Bed Bath & Beyond
Pickup options: At Bed Bath & Beyond, you don't purchase the item online. Instead, you select "Reserve now" on the product page. An authorization for $1 will appear on your card, but this will disappear in 24 to 48 hours. You only pay for your order once you've picked it up in store. Orders are typically ready within two hours.
What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the designated location at the store to pick up your item.
What you need at the store: A copy of the notification email.
If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: Anyone can pick up your order as long as they have a copy of the notification email and a valid form of payment.
How long your order will be held at the store: Two days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, your order will be canceled. If you need more time, contact the store to request an extension.
Shop online and pick up in store at Bed Bath & Beyond
Williams-Sonoma
Pickup options: Choose "Free in-store pick up" when placing your order online, then select your store. Orders are typically ready within two hours.
What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the store to pick up your item.
What you need at the store: A photo ID and the order number.
If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: Call the store to let them know the name of the alternate pickup person. The new person will need to bring a photo ID and copy of the notification email.
How long your order will be held at the store: Five days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, your order will be canceled and you'll be refunded your payment. If you need more time, contact the store to request an extension.
Shop online and pick up in store at Williams-Sonoma
Bloomingdale's
Pickup options: Choose "Pick up in store today" when placing your order online and check availability at stores near you. Orders are ready the same day when ordered by 3 p.m. in your local time zone.
What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email or text before you go to the store to pick up your item.
What you need at the store: A government-issued photo ID and the order confirmation number.
If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: Identify the alternate pickup person at checkout. They will need to bring a photo ID and copy of the notification email.
How long your order will be held at the store: Seven days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, your order will be canceled and you will be issued a refund.
Shop online and pick up in store at Bloomingdale's
L.L.Bean
Pickup options: Choose "In-store availability" when placing your order online and check availability at stores near you. If available, reserve the item with your name, email, and phone number.
What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification call before you go to the store to pick up your item.
What you need at the store: A photo ID that matches the credit card used to make the purchase and a confirmation of your order.
How long your order will be held at the store: Seven days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, you will be contacted about getting a credit.
