I want to share with you everything I have learned about how to save on your first online grocery delivery order, and when you’ll get FREE delivery with your Peapod order.
A few weeks ago I placed my FIRST EVER Giant Direct powered by Peapod online grocery order. I had the option of free delivery but I decided I wanted to try pickup for this order, since I was in a time crunch. At the end of this post, I tell you the rest of this story and what truly surprised me!
1. Peapod Promo Codes
The first way to save money that you’ll want to consider is the Peapod promo code. You might think you’ll get the best offer with a promo code—and there are some pretty good promo codes available occasionally—but you don’t have to have a promo code to get the best offer!
Here are 3 best places to look for Peapod promo codes:
- In your direct mail, specifically postcard mailers and in Valpack coupon envelopes.
- In your local store. Watch for signs and posters promoting the new service. You might even ask at the Giant Direct area to see if they will offer you a special promo code. They might have one of the direct mail flyers to give you.
- In your grocery sacks after your in-store purchase. Special promotions are often handed to the shopper with your receipt.
- Watch the Lancaster County & Deals and Savings Group. This online Facebook group is a place where locals share deals, coupons, promo codes, and sales they find. You never know when someone might find a promo code for Giant Direct!
If you don’t find a promo code at those places that suits you, keep in mind that the best offers are usually referred to you by a friend! Any friend or neighbor who is already a Peapod customer is given a special link to share with their friends and family which often gives you a better discount than any promo code you’ll find anywhere else.
2. Peapod FREE Delivery
Almost all promo codes and referral links that you’ll find include a special offer to receive 60 days of FREE delivery. No promo code, coupon or anything else needed to get this deal! You’ll likely see it defined on your login screen after you SIGN UP and log in for the first time.
3. Peapod Coupons & Specials
One thing I absolutely LOVE about Giant Direct powered by Peapod is that you can use coupons. Many different kinds of coupons in fact! Here are the coupon details and sale specials that I know about it—let me know if you know of more!
- Newspaper / Printed Coupons. When you pick up your order, the attendant will ask you if you have any coupons. Hand them to her and she’ll apply them to your account!
- Circular coupons. Same thing as the above coupons—just hand them to the Giant worker who brings out your order and they’ll apply the coupons to your account.
- Giant e-coupons. Within the Peapod website there is a category for Specials, and on that page you’ll find a tab for Loaded Coupons. You’ll be redirected to the Giant coupons page (make sure your Giant card is linked to your Peapod account) where you can load your coupons and then return to the Peapod page to finish your order! You’ll see the discount from the coupon in your cart before you checkout.
- Peapod extra hot savings! Peapod also offers their own specials and deals. These extra hot savings change regularly. I often find they are associated with the weekly circular deals from Giant, but sometimes there are additional deals you want find in store!
- Fresh Produce Coupon. Peapod offers a special incentive to encourage shoppers to buy fresh produce—if you spend $15, save $5 on Fresh Picks! I have had good success with ordering fruits and vegetables using this coupon, however I want to add that depending on your location, I have had some friends say they aren’t happy with the produce that has been selected for them.
- Circular sales & promotions. I wanted to note that I was surprised to see that all circular sales are included in the online prices. Even the BOGO stromboli sale that we like to take advantage of—but I actually found that deal to be even better! Instead of it being BOGO, they just offer all their strombolis for $3!
You’re not going to find produce markdowns on Peapod, nor the meat markdowns, bakery and bread markdowns, or clearance items that you would when shopping in-store.
Who should use online grocery shopping with Peapod / Giant Direct?
I was very opposed to online grocery shopping until I tried it—and then I surprised myself! I always LOVED grocery shopping in store, but after seeing how much faster it was online, I fell in love.
Here are some ways that I have found online grocery shopping to be helpful:
- Searching for hard-to find items. Sometimes I have items on my shopping list that I find difficult to find in the store. Rather than wasting time going from aisle to aisle or asking Giant workers, I have found it very efficient to simply type the item in the search field and choose the brand I want!
- Some examples for me were sun-dried tomatoes, marshmallows (I always forget what aisle they are in!) and name-brand items that are just easier to type in.
- Stockpile items in bulk. I despise pushing the cart through the store when I need to add big packages to the bottom of my cart, like a huge case of paper towels, or cat litter. It’s just a personal thing, but how convenient to have them brought out to my car for me!
- Anyone who likes to meal plan their week ahead especially with unique recipes. I often meal plan out of what I have on hand, but since I love to try new things and challenge myself, there are times I try new and unique recipes. It is so simple to sit down at the computer with my meal plan, and quickly type in the ingredients I need for each of these recipes. Viola! No time needed to search the store shelves.
- Circular shoppers. I said this before, but I love that the circular sales are the same on Peapod! I can still look at my circular, circle what I want, and then just shop from my computer instead of going to the store. I love that the meat deals are the same—if chicken breasts are $1.99/lb that week in store, or turkeys are on a special $.69/lb then they are priced the same on Peapod too!
- Infrequent shoppers. Because there is often a minimum order on Peapod in order to get your free delivery, you might want to consider ordering every other week or even once a month—especially if you don’t order much at a time. Wait until you see some bigger items on sale, like maybe their ground beef sale, and then buy what you need all at once. You can always get fresh produce from roadside stands and farm markets, especially in the summertime.
- Indecisive meal planners or those who like to try new recipes! My suggestion here might seem funny, but seriously check this out! They have a special category for Cooking Made Easy, where they suggest fun recipes and then include links to everything you need to buy—you choose the brand!
- They also have meal kits as an option, similar to something like Blue Apron or Hello Fresh where everything comes already prepared and cut and you just throw the recipe together—but I don’t think they are offering it in Lancaster County yet.
My Experience with Giant Direct powered by Peapod
I recently shared some videos on Instagram of my FIRST EVER Giant Direct grocery pickup and folks, I think I might be hooked! 🤷♀️It is sooooo simple and easy to meal plan and quickly search for the items I need for my recipes online. I was super-impressed with how quick and easy it was to pick up my order too!
The first time I ordered, I used it because I was planning a deck party and I needed some special ingredients but I didn’t have time the next day to go shopping. I placed my order overnight (then you need to wait at least 5 hours til you schedule your pickup), and of course it was ready by the next morning!
If you love freebies, you’ll also love that all first-time Giant Direct shoppers receive a special goodie bag with fun snack samples, coupons and other freebies—like this credit card holder that sticks to the back of your cell phone!
Ready to try ordering groceries online?
I highly recommend giving it a try, and seeing what you think. You might be just as surprised as I was with how easy it is and how much you love it. Plus, first time customers will get $50 off your first order when you use this link. You’ll also get FREE delivery for 60 days! Here’s what to do:
- Sign up for a Peapod account and get $50 off your first order!
- Choose FREE pick up or delivery (right to your home or out to your car in 2 minutes or less!)
>> Try Peapod now and get $50 off! <<
You’re welcome! 🙂
