Walmart Pickup Tower AKA Giant Vending Machine: How Does It Work???

KTLA TV Los Angeles Tech Reporter Rich DeMuro checks out the Walmart Pickup Tower, which is sort of like a giant vending machine for online orders. Associates place your item in the machine and you can retrieve it in seconds when you enter the store.
Pickup towers are in over 200 Walmart locations and the company plans to add 500 more towers.
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[@kevinjones5715]

Pretty soon there will be 30 of these at the front of the store and only 4 of them will be working.

[@xDrFe3lgo0dx]

Lmfao!!!!

[@snickerdoooodle]

I wonder if the guy above me gets this nuts every time he sees a vending machine lmao

[@MargauxNeedler]

😂

[@mrpaperchaser8154]

Buknoychii Fiocchii Actually they’re going to put a 5G tower in every Walmart store And of course machines and technology are taking over

[@TheOn3LeftBehind]

LMFAO

[@norcalemt02]

Don’t forget to show your receipt when you exit.

[@jamesbaucom9295]

No thanks

[@Crazywaffle5150]

No

[@j-s2526]

No .. no required too. Bye lol

[@VegasX900]

If you don't want to show your receipt, take your sorry broke ass somewhere else. We don't need your business.

[@dlrsnate5100]

Crazywaffle5150 lmao you shop at Walmart pussy.

[@stuntman45666]

"People.come in here just to take.pictures with these things" Nooooooo we dont

[@trogdortheburninator3621]

My thoughts exactly...No, we don't. Haha

[@RaeaXo]

Saw this at my Walmart yesterday and had to pick up my online order and it was insane! I’m impressed!

[@Kukadin]

All exists to serve The Tower..

[@swallowedinthesea11]

You have forgotten the face of your father!

[@blueinternet4336]

Just another job killer.

[@ablestmage]

Please submit your offerings to the next available representative. Blessed be the Tower and the dollar is its profit.

[@Hongkizzle]

Tower of Modor

[@aliciabrandt7889]

Ohhhhh. Well played, random person. Well played! 💜

[@chad5893]

0:16 Ahhh hell no, i'm not going to be on tv...

[@MargauxNeedler]

CH567849 😂😂😂

[@sharonj3797]

She's got warrants

[@aliciabrandt7889]

LMAO I noticed that right away and cracked up! She was like nope, not today. Nuh huh. I'm not playing. 🤣😂

[@aliciabrandt7889]

@@sharonj3797 yes, yes she does. 😂🤣 Didn't want anyone recognizing her at ALL.

[@egotisticfurbal6792]

I am a personal shopper at walmart and work ogp. For those of you who think there is no receipt and say you'll get stopped for stealing the item, no. When the item is picked we scan the UPC, and in turn a sticker comes out of our printer with the name of person and a barcode. We scan the item into that barcode and place the sticker on the item. We need that barcode to stage it into the tower. When you pick up your item just show the sticker to the door person in passing. If its 30$ or over just use pickup. And no, you cannot put tomatoes or any other food in the tower

[@Daily98]

We’ll be seeing “24 hour overnight challenges inside the Walmart Pickup Tower” before you know it 😂

[@demelzapoldark3035]

I saw a woman use this at a Wal-Mart in Western N.C. I couldn't believe how fast it gave her the product. Very 'George Jetson'. I'll be using it.

[@PhantomWolf-pd2qq]

That's pretty funny

[@ricefields7539]

Ok Boomer

[@B-DINO]

Lol if it's not broken! They don't work worth shit. The trays fall off, jam up the machine and damage your product so it takes weeks to get your orders sometimes. Fuck walmart and their lazy ass. Don't roll out a product if it doesn't work worth shit.

[@kc0eks]

And it has a vent!

[@retrobear9367]

I tried this today. Loved it! So much better than walking to the back of the store and waiting at the counter for 10-15 minutes.

[@Bill23799]

I had my first experience with the Walmart Pickup Tower tonight. It worked just as shown in the video. As I was leaving I heard a tapping noise coming from the Tower. It was Morse Code. I stood and listened. It said... " We are two small people inside the Tower" I said " You mean two midgets are trapped in there? " He replied... " we prefer to be called little people, we're not trapped. Walmart sealed us in here on a six month contract to fill the trays. " " So what can I do for you " " well this is a bit embarrassing but our little people toilet is stopped up. Can you go tell a manager please? " I told him sure and notified management.

[@sharonj3797]

Everytime I go into Walmart it's the first thing I look at and there's never anyone there.

[@PlantBaePapi]

I used to work at Walmart. I did OGP, and never once did I see anyone use that tower lol.

[@herrera7347]

@@PlantBaePapi sum doesn’t know how to use it

[@cday131]

I was there today but they didn't even put it in the tower so I had to wait next to it for several minutes like a turd -_- I wanted the tower magic damnit.

[@IznbranahlGoose]

When I first saw it I thought it was going to be a giant ominous robot that wanders around the store but instead it’s a giant ominous robot that stays in one place.

[@aliciabrandt7889]

Ahhhahahahaaa, yes, indeed it's a GMG! 😨 Giant monstrosities freak me out. I used to walk down by the river at night with my dog, and there were always these f'ing massive earth moving machines parked and resting until the following morning. There were a couple of times when I swore I could hear one of those damned things starting up and moving around. Totally psyched myself out. 😭🐈

[@aliciabrandt7889]

They were these silent, looming, *watchful* monsters that could squish me like a bug. I did the whole "whistle past the graveyard" thing every damned time I had to walk by those things.

[@Lunchb024]

Yeah I doubt you’ll be able to walk right out with the product without being harassed by one the door greeters

[@itsPhD]

actually each item that is either in the tower or given to you for pickup will have an orange bar-code sticker on it that will allow you to walk anywhere in the store or let you leave freely, just say walmart.com and you're golden.

[@whitemailprivilege2830]

PhD Thanks so much! I just walked out with a 4K TV and I said the magic words “Walmart.com” and I got me a free tv!

[@deadjuice1880]

@@whitemailprivilege2830"... I said it after delivering a flying dropkick to his neck, but he deserved it, and the cops didn't get there in time. So, free! Basically!"

[@whitemailprivilege2830]

Dead Juice nice!

[@pennylch]

Right..you have to have a receipt to walk out ..

[@pevo5227]

I imagine the inside much like how the Keebler elves operate their tree tower.

[@aliciabrandt7889]

😂🤣😂😊

[@shayinla1942]

When I ordered my Christmas tree, it came out of the side storage boxes. Now I wanna order something small, just so I can see it come out of the pick-up tower!

[@omegaman6193]

There’s mechanics inside? Do they sleep in there?

[@B-DINO]

They need to come with a mechanic inside. They don't work worth shit and the orders always get jammed up and broke. You wait and extra 2 weeks for your shit or the just send you a refund...no extra for the interest they made off your money or the waste of time and gas that you spent trying to get it...fuck walmart

[@lakecityransom]

Thanks dad

[@itzblockytvnetwork3549]

@@B-DINO now imagine how walmart treats the employees.

[@mikefata6692]

Rich DeMuro is the kind of guy to hop inside this thing and call it a fort

[@itzblockytvnetwork3549]

4:30 lmao those jobs around me no longer exist. We stopped using our tower and won’t even bring orders up there anymore

[@kook4u]

Wait this isn’t Doug Demuro

[@pacadet]

THIS is the all new Walmart Pickup Tower. I'll tell you about all of the quirks and features..

[@centralmarylandrailfan7887]

@@pacadet and I will give it a Doug score

[@Eldomibori]

I work at Walmart in Ocoee, FL and our store is getting the complete remodel with the tower, new self check outs, etc. and it’s gonna make things much more efficient for us. I’m glad they’re finally doing this. I love it.

[@Vesper778]

Seeing your last name I expected the video intro goes like: “THISSS, is a Walmart pick up tower”

[@rickdlt]

I am that person who puts your items in the tower it’s very interesting and customers are always impressed 😀

[@teatonaz]

I’m trying to buy some extension cords. The pickup section of the app says I need to buy $35 worth. The “ Walmart.com” section of the app says “ Only at Walmart “ above the item and it says “ Price for in store purchase only”. And there is no place to add it into an electronic shopping cart. So how do I get some extension cords in the tower or a locker for quick pick up?? Are there some items that just can’t be done this way, or do I have to put them in with groceries totaling $35 and do the curbside ? Any help is appreciated. Thx

[@rickdlt]

@@teatonaz well depending on the Walmart they should have the option for pick up. An extension cord is a general merchandise item so it can be in the tower/ locker. When Walmart ask for $35, it may be referring to delivery of your home. Which would be a whole different experience. But let’s say that you have the Walmart app, looking up the item on the app it would say “free pick up today” at ___ Walmart. First search up the item on the app. Make sure to enter your zip code so the app can refer you to the nearest Walmart with the item. You can change the zip code when clicking “options” next to the “free pick up today” .when clicking the options you will see a screen of nearby stores and the inventory of that specific item you searched. Every Walmart differs in inventory. Some Walmart’s may not have the option of pickup at all (but unlikely). Hopefully this helps.

[@larryserna1867]

without a bag there will be more problems with greeters

[@debbyjacks]

My item came in a bag and receipt in it. His may have been like that just for the video.

[@mrbigshow65]

If you just walk out the store,they will think that you stole the item if you don’t have the receipt

[@smurphy224]

Your receipt is your online barcode lol

[@JessieR2023]

The products also have orange stickers meaning it already been paid for it.

[@Code_YellowJacket]

Every online order you make has a bright orange sticker to prove that you already paid for it.... try it

[@marikiemarie7622]

Oh good grief. It's not that serious

[@dttomsen971]

All this trouble and money to install and now they are removing them from all the Walmart's near me in Missouri. You can still order online to pickup at the store, but now you have to go and park in the spaces reserved for online grocery pickup and call in. Fortunately you don't have to reserve a timeslot like you have to with grocery orders. I really liked the tower. I would order things that I didn't want to search for or walk to the other side of the store for, then do my grocery shopping and on the way out stop at the tower. It will be missed.

[@jennyl.2689]

I love the machines...now I see a sign on my local Walmart machine saying it's closed and use curb side pick up lol.

[@ChrisCooling]

wow...you're easily impressed.

[@erinmcg8716]

Its impressive, thats why!

[@CalebMcFarland]

Did he say he was impressed? If so he’s probably just not cynical and finds things cool.

[@cody5495]

I would like to see you engineer this fucking thing

[@MargauxNeedler]

At least life is easier when people are easily impressed. I would rather be grateful and impressed with the small things in life and be content than NOT.

[@nathanhoffman3456]

That absolutely takes more time! Two people want the same item. A bag of Fritos....on your mark...set...Go. Player 1 got in the car and left. Player 2 looks up and hunts Fritos on his phone adds item to the cart , selects his store of choice, answers some questions, puts in payment info - waits on text...heads out-makes the same drive and hunts for the same parking spots, and walks inside. Player 1 grabbed the bag off the shelf and went to self-checkout. Player 2 arrives after looking for ready texts and then hunts phone and logs in to recall the barcode and scan on a machine etc...10% of the time the machine not working right ...wait these are BBQ Fritos...wait did the employee pick the most scrunched up bag or the fasted expiration date on purpose? Problems? sent to customer service-get in line. Employee asks to see proof of purchase anyway...wait did I need a cart? where are the bags at this red tower?

[@mohamed5251]

Walmart is fighting back. One 👊to Amazon.

[@johnboko7110]

Amazon: I've seen better yawn

[@fhf794]

My Wal-Mart just got one, can't wait to test it.

[@fhf794]

Nah thats hella gay

[@yetanotherchannelyac1434]

This is cool! The tower pickup would be amazing to have at a drive-through, high density neighborhoods, and transit venues. Communities could choose their packaging standards and have compliant towers servicing their ecommerce providers of choice.

[@anonymousc8935]

my walmart finally got rid of this pickup tower at our store another failed project

[@tcareccia]

I did this today and my mind was completely blown! 🤯

[@MrThorMNFinest]

I go into Walmart daily and theres a giant tower right there and not once have I even noticed it or realized this thing existed in the walmart I shop at Everyday! Totally trying it.

[@Bella-pw5pe]

I LOVE YOU WALMART GOD BLESS WALMART YOU CARE ABOUT THE POOR I PRAY THAT EVERYTHING YOU DO GROWS AND GETS BIGGER 🙏

[@aliciabrandt7889]

😂🤣🤣🤣

[@jameswarrick778]

Our store in council bluffs Iowa just got one of these, not quite sure what to think of it yet.

[@Timmyfromphilly1994]

The chino hills store has one. Use it all the time.

[@mpc77769]

Hugh Jazz good to know 👍

[@bigburgerboi2005]

Mine is decommissioned and is scheduled to be removed soon 😔

[@donrainesoh]

My local Walmart in ripley WV has one I was shocked as it’s a very small town.

[@darkgaia1393]

Hurricane WV has one.

[@Joannefibracs9994]

did you hear, it's 16 feet tall

[@chipthigpen3173]

Our local Wal Mart just got this. It makes going to Wal Mart a little more enjoyable.

[@mitchy9688]

I really liked the tower but now they closed it and curbside pickup only. What a waste! And I hate the curbside pickup.

[@FreetheCraftahSatanist3D]

recently my store took this tower away lmfao was wasting space and time i guess

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Can they make a tower I can get plastic bags that will open at the self checkout lane?

[@SailorGreenTea]

What do you think of a fashion section in vending machines?

[@grodriguez1042]

Rich DeMuro you forgot to mention the sprinkler head that goes inside the “big vending machine” 😒 We did most of the sprinkler heads that go in top of the pick up tower 😎

[@32nd_Degree_Moose]

They added this to our busy store. I thought it was a dumb gimmick and six week, maybe two months later it was gone.

[@jakp8777]

A vent and mechanics? You’re a really techy tech guy.

[@landmind666]

this is so staged, no employees are telling him he can't record and no one asking him ti show his receipt, and stopping him from leaving when says i have none.

[@SMOR3S]

First amendment! Merica Donald trump!!!

[@ablestmage]

Pointing out that it is staged, is like pointing out the tower is orange. Of course it is, and there's no deception about it. News crews get permission from the store before they film inside; that's just routine.

[@MancstaSam]

He works for Walmart

[@tiffanybillotte2174]

@@ablestmage wow...thank you!!! I was going to write the same thing! Some ppl lol!!!

[@JackQuinlivan]

I'm so tempted to order stuff just to pick it up from the machine. I really want to see the lockers open!

[@MargauxNeedler]

David Goans rather be amused than bored

[@JackQuinlivan]

I ordered a TV just to be disappointed when I found that they don't keep valuable electronics in the machine. :-\

[@monnieap]

@@JackQuinlivan I’m kind of late, but where do they keep them? I want to order an Xbox

[@neonshycare]

Fellow Walmart employee here with a couple questions. 1: How would associates load items into the machine? 2: Wouldn’t the machine defeat the purpose of the Pickup Today/Site to Store counter at most stores (including mine), where the associates have to sign the stickers saying it’s been dispensed to the customer?

[@jameslargen284]

But wait, in your video where are all the people coming in just to take a picture with it?

[@Saint696Anger]

I like the idea of it creating jobs but it won't be before long that bots are picking the items

[@iflex1963]

I ordered an item in Hagerstown Md, went there scanned and nothing happened....waited 5 minutes and finally an employee came out of door and told me item was in storage... Bummer..

[@WisdoIVI]

NOBODY....I mean no fucking body take a picture with that machine

[@SonyaLCH]

In case you're wondering, It's "16 feet tall".

[@diebeatz]

The doug demuro of Walmart.

[@JourneyWithDavaoJack]

We just got one here in Port Lavaca, Texas on the Gulf coast. He was right about the picture taking. That was the first thing I did when I saw it.

[@lyvsal9774]

I work at supermarket and even with this Tower still a lot job for employees, so do not worry as long the robots do not stock and facing still humans needed.

[@janetepstein9733]

And no security stops you to see your paid receipt.

[@dweller2012]

Do the Little Caesars Pizza 🍕 pick up locker too!!

[@amandalridley]

Used it today in Bellevue, Ne for the first time. Quick and seamless. I avoid Walmart at all costs, but if I can get in and out this quickly, I’ll probably purchase more things there. The less interaction with others in Walmart the better lol.

[@harleenquinzel4979]

Yeah except if it's down you can't get the stuff you already paid for and they don't bother telling you or even put a sign up

[@marcusporter7565]

Love using this. Problem is that, when dealing with online Wal*Mart shopping, more items need to be able to be picked up this way. Like books. I know some books can be picked up using the tower, but not all books. I've got some books in the saved for later section of my shopping cart, but they have to be shipped. I'd rather be able to buy them online and have them shipped to the store.

[@susanash1762]

Our store in millersburg Ohio is just now getting this.

[@toyotarizzle]

You should buy one tomato and see if it ends up bruised.

[@fallenstar5139]

We have one of these in my Walmart in Tampa. (It's actually been there for quite a while now, so it must have been one of the first ones available.) There was literally no fanfare or introduction to it whatsoever. They just did a quick renovation and it just appeared in the store one day. In the entire time it's been there, I've literally NEVER seen a single person use it once. Never. It's a cool idea I guess. But from what I can see, nobody actually uses it. I also agree with other comments that there's no way you're going to take a product out of that machine and not be thoroughly harassed by the greeter and/or metal detectors before leaving!

[@marikiemarie7622]

This is why Walmart dont want to pay people... they want to spend it on machine that will break down and need constant repairs. In my area...people tear up everything new we get...parks, buildings, machines... you should see out redboxs!!!

[@jakeperkins6725]

No way you’re leaving without showing your digital receipt.

[@lovebug2256]

I work ogp (not a very good location) this is crazy to me we don’t even have enough handhelds to pick let alone people 🤣🤣

[@Saltspicious]

Just know your store probably isn’t getting one and you’re still gonna have to dispense shit the old fashion way, dispense or walk all the way to site to store to dispense a phone case

[@graysroksan]

In Rogers, AR it’s outside. I like it because I just drive up to it and I don’t have to walk through the cold in the winter across the parking lot to get my item. I asked why they aren’t all outside like that and they said some neighborhoods are better than others but that they are looking into it. I like it better outside

[@GuestYouTubeUser]

They also started selling lottery tickets! Walmart getting money any way they can. 💰

[@TaterChip91]

So I just bought a 75" TV for pickup...I assume its not going to be in that thing...right? Real question.

[@kgonepostl]

Wamart's ultimate goal is to have zero employees. Fuck this shit.

[@danthegreat7590]

The walmart god

[@bluzshadez]

Were you referring to MECHANISMS inside the Pick Up Tower? When I heard Mechanics, I was thinking of humans. What is that? Like the Wilford Train on SNOWPIERCER? What about items that need refrigeration?

[@JourneyWithDavaoJack]

I thought the same thing bluzshadez. You got a good point there on the refrigeration items as well. ,Maybe it doesn't take them. My question is, where do they enter it at. I did not see any doors.

[@bluzshadez]

@@JourneyWithDavaoJack Could it be on that Walmart Super Center that the Warehouse is on the basement and that the ordered items are on conveyor belts moving up to that Tower? I don't think the Tower can store all the ordered items, that what those lockers are for. I know for groceries, the items ordered on-line will be delivered to a customer's car. Maybe the "shell"/outer wall of the tower has a panel that opens? There is no way the actual machine can't be maintained. God bless!

[@JourneyWithDavaoJack]

@@bluzshadez yes, A panel that opens, I didn't think about that. That makes sense.

[@bluzshadez]

@@JourneyWithDavaoJack We'll never know because the nearest Walmart Super Center to me doesn't have that yet. God bless!

[@JourneyWithDavaoJack]

@@bluzshadez I found out a little info this morning. Let's just say that it "basically" IS some sort of a panel they open electronically to place the items in the machine. If I misunderstood what I heard then I am sure someone will eventually correct me if I don't find out before hand.

[@JasonWockenfuss]

Walmart will be in the history books like Woolworth

[@thanemcewen6737]

Pretty soon the nations leading crappy employer will need less employees...hmmm

[@sewskates]

I tried it today and where I live there is just a place you go inside. I waited 20 minutes before pushing the button for help! I checked in before I left my house. Not what I expected when ordering some shop lights online. Web page leads you to think they will deliver to you outside, but no they don't, only grocery order delivered outside. I could have had free delivery to my home if I had know you would have to wait so long inside. Sign inside says have a seat while you order is brought out, but there is no seats to set in. Topical Walmart!

[@alli8763]

I have the app for pickup/delivery but No in store pickup? Our Walmart has one but I don't see where on the app to press for the in store one??

[@jmorrill2]

If I didn’t know any better I’d think this is a paid advertisement by Walmart.

[@antc8634]

People are getting too lazy now. I enjoy shopping the old school way.. scanning the aisles and getting in line lol. Kids now days barely want to work or do anything productive as it is. But this stuff makes it even worse

[@TheSatan222]

I don't know any man who wants to walk around the store shopping, this makes things easy and convenient

[@antc8634]

how you like me now i am actually a man and enjoy grocery shopping and i have many friends who do as well.

[@southwestAZ]

what's the point of it when it doesn't give you a receipt ?? And Wal-Mart stops too ask you where is your proof of purchase

[@wedonttalkaboutmisskitty8052]

Just went to get my item and the "Tower" at Hixson, TN was not working and I couldn't get it.

[@arob3838]

Seems okay, but I'd like all of purchases BAGGED or boxed.

[@nell3783]

Mine was wrapped and sealed when I picked it up.

[@TOSStarTrek]

That would great for meds. Hate waiting in line.

[@benjaminschell2062]

I like it. I will be buying from wallmart more often because of it.

[@nissangtr3466]

I ordered a 10 foot kayak...it popped out of a locker...impressive

[@MargauxNeedler]

Keith s pick-up items can only bring certain things to the door for you and it will tell you which are pick-up available items on the website. I remember reading no perishables are allowed.

[@aliciabrandt7889]

Are you shitting me? 😳

[@frankthespank]

I pooped in the tower.... tell me I can’t return opened cans of soup.... TAKE THAT EVIL OVERLORDS!

[@WAXWINS]

Wait until they stop you asking for a receipt lol

[@snickerdoooodle]

"Vending machine SCARY!!" -the comments

[@BManStan1991]

I like it.

[@amusement420]

I used this for the first time. It looks intimidating in person lol It didn't scan my email printout barcode but did accept the manually entered code. It opened the door in no time flat. You small item isnt' scary. My box was big. About 12x20. Not too heavy about 5 lbs but beat up. But picture a large beat up box sliding out on a metal tray towards you behind smoked glass that opens up like it wants to eat you alive lol this thing is like a Transformer, Terminator, Something in Star trek aliens worship. And witchcraft how fast it is. Thanks for showing it I have to show it to someone it's har dot describe.

[@joybrown4529]

It looks like a elevator that will take people underground

[@aliciabrandt7889]

Like that bank in the Harry Potter series. 😳

[@jacksmith-id8ch]

That's sad they keep mechanics in there hope they pay them well at least.

[@diamondsprince]

@@TwoBs it's not funny, those mechanics work hard. I'd like to see _you_ spend a shift inside that thing!

[@darstro12]

My local Walmart just got one!!

[@wooferjr169]

Omg thought it was an April fool's day joke 😂😂😂