Google and Amazon are getting ready to rumble in LA. Both have launched same day delivery services just days apart. Google stated yesterday that it is expanding its Google Shopping Express program to West LA and Manhattan, from the San Francisco Bay area, where it launched last year.
This service allows shoppers to visit google.com/express, and shop for goods to be dropped off in a time frame that the shopper chooses. Google will take orders until 4 PM for delivery from 6-9 PM.
There is no minimum purchase required, and no surcharge either, Google reports. For now, shoppers can sign up for a free trial for six months, or pay $4.99 per item for a la carte shopping.
Google is still determining how to price the new service. It will allow its customers to get a longer term subscription once it figures out the price structure.
Google is going to use third-party delivery companies that are trained in how to greet new customers at the door, as well as how to use the mobile shopping app.
Meanwhile over at Amazon, the e-commerce giant stated at the end of last week that same day services also are available in West LA. Amazon shoppers may choose from over 1 million items, which can be had by clicking the Get It Today filter on the left side of the website.
Most of the products may be ordered as late as 12 PM for delivery by 9 PM.
People who subscribe to Amazon Prime will pony up $5.99 per order, no matter how many items they buy. People who do not subscribe to Prime must pay $9.98 to have that first product shipped, and then .99 for each item after that.
Amazon launched the same service in Seattle, Phoenix and San Francisco on Friday. Amazon also launched a same day grocery service in LA last June.
This is yet another big offering from Google and Amazon, who never are shy about offering new services to grab market share.