Can I have things delivered? Yes, usually, BUT some important caveats
(Note, this is a subsection of our bigger “Beach Home Basics” FAQ. Check that one out for the 411 on everything we can think of to make your beach vacay smooth as butter! Now… how do you get that butter delivered?)
Can you have things ordered and delivered to the places? Yes you can! Most services and delivery organizations will deliver to all our places. A couple really important caveats…
PLEASE…
- DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING DELIVERED BEFORE YOU ARRIVE. No, we cannot meet folks at the home, let them in, get packages, etc. We would love to, but we simply do not have the ability to make random runs to the homes. Schedule all deliveries for after you arrive please.
- DO NOT DELIVER ITEMS VIA USPS. USPS (the US Postal Service) generally will NOT deliver to the homes because the beach homes do not have mail boxes. Yes, we know… a package won’t go in a mailbox… but… they won’t deliver at all if there is no mailbox. We have had this happen a lot, and it will get sent back. We have had reports of some luck in the Orange Beach locations, but more often than not, its going to get returned to sender.AMAZON. This is a huge problem for Amazon orders because Amazon won’t tell you HOW they are delivering until after you order (if at all) and it could go USPS and if it does…. it won’t make it. We suggest trying to use a nearby Amazon locker type delivery if you must send something via Amazon.
UPS/Fedex and pretty much anything else like DHL will deliver, with the possible exception of when those services use US Post as the ‘last mile’ of the trip. Also be mindful that delivery to the Gulf Shores area is typically a day or two (or more) SLOWER than almost anywhere I have been… so be mindful of what the delivery estimates (in, say, Amazon) actually say as its likely more than what you are used to at home, though, of course, YMMV. 🙂
Groceries, etc, can absolutely be delivered to the address of the places… but again please be sure to have that arrive after you do to ensure its not delivered outside and sitting around (potentially going bad, or being taken!). We have used Instacart, and love Publix, Roushes, and you can of course use Walmart or Target and More! There’s even a Sam’s Club in the area. Again, DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT purposely or ‘accidentally’ have these services deliver before arrival. Better to make it the next morning. We are not able to send someone running over to meet them, and your food and supplies will likely be dropped at the door step. Not good for the perishables for sure, and potentially not great for things sticking around!
Concierge level fridge and house stocking? Yes, you can! There are several services that will stock your fridge and more. We can even allow this sometimes ahead of time with advanced pre-approval. This requires coordination so it must be approved at least a week in advance of the stay. One service we know of is Beach Mom’s but if you run across another one that looks solid, let us know!
Beach Moms
https://www.thebeachmoms.net
251-979-8400
Google Place with reviews:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/af3DeFzoKbVXoVSa6
You can also check out this list we provide and this FAQ too, though we try to hit it all in this email for you! Baby equipment? Grills? Beach stuff? Its all in there.
