This Shipping Policy describes shipping methods, delivery estimates, costs and restrictions for products ordered through the Ralphs website, mobile apps and related services (“Services”).
1. Shipping Methods & Speeds
Ralphs provides a range of shipping options to get your items quickly and conveniently. Available methods depend on delivery address, item types and other considerations.
a. Standard Shipping
The default method is our road freight Standard Shipping without a guaranteed arrival date. Standard Shipping times range between 5-10 business days based on location, but may take longer during peak seasons.
**b. Expedited Shipping **
For urgent orders, Ralphs offers faster Expedited Shipping using priority transport for delivery within 2-5 business days based on inventory availability. Expedited Shipping fees apply when checking out.
c. Same Day Delivery
In select metro areas, Ralphs provides Same Day Delivery for last minute needs if items are in local inventory. Orders must be placed by 1pm on weekdays or 11am on weekends for Same Day Delivery before 9pm. Service zones are limited.
d. In-Store Pickup
Save time by having orders packed and waiting at your local Ralphs store so you can promptly grab them. In-Store Pickup is free and available within 1-2 business days at most locations. Not all items qualify for Pickup.
e. Drive Up
For super convenient curbside service, look for Drive Up signs at participating Ralphs stores. Simply park in a designated spot, check in on the Ralphs app and we’ll promptly bring out your order.
2. Delivery Speed Disclaimers
Posted delivery speeds represent estimates only, not guarantees. They may vary due to factors like weather, peak volumes, inventory issues, payment processing, holidays and incorrect addresses.
Ralphs cannot guarantee orders will arrive by specific dates for gift giving occasions like birthdays or holidays. Please account for unpredictability around shipments.
For time sensitive orders, contact Customer Service beforehand to confirm likelihood of on-time delivery. Ralphs does not issue refunds or provide remedies solely due to delayed shipments.
3. Shipping Costs & Options
a. Standard Shipping Fees
Most orders over $35 automatically qualify for free Standard Shipping to the contiguous US. For orders under $35, a $6 flat rate shipping fee applies. Additional surcharges may apply for remote regions like Alaska and Hawaii.
b. Expedited Shipping Rates
Expedited Shipping costs vary by items, with 3 tiers:
- Small Items: $15 flat rate per shipment
- Medium Items: $25 flat rate per shipment
- Oversized Items: $35 flat rate per shipment
Rates are based on total parcel sizes with oversized thresholds at 18 x 14 x 8 inches. Contact Customer Service regarding eligibility for Expedited Shipping.
c. Promotional Discounts
Ralphs may offer free or discounted shipping during promotions, but excludes expedited services. Such periodic offers are subject to terms and conditions described in respective advertisem*nts. Standard Shipping costs resume after promotions conclude.
d. Changes & Cancellations
Once an order ships, any changes incur additional fees and delivery delays. For unshipped items, modifications may impact costs if they alter order value thresholds for free shipping or expedited service eligibility.
Order cancellations are free before shipment. Once dispatched, orders can still be cancelled but initial shipping charges will not be refunded.
4. Shipping Restrictions
Ralphs reserves the right to cancel, modify or restrict shipping of certain items as reasonably determined by factors like item size, inventory, logistics issues or legal requirements. We may reach out regarding alternate solutions for impacted orders.
a. Age Restricted Items
Laws prohibit Ralphs from shipping select products to those under mandated age limits. Items like alcohol, tobacco, CBD products, knives etc. require recipient identity and age verification upon delivery.
b. Prescription Medications
Ralphs only ships prescription medications within the United States, excluding territories like Puerto Rico, Guam etc. Recipients must provide ID proving they match the patient’s name on the prescription order.
c. Cold & Frozen Goods
Ralphs only ships perishable refrigerated or frozen products using Next Day Air service to lower 48 states for prompt delivery. Such items require someone be available to immediately take custody.
d. Large Items
Extra large products like outdoor grills or furniture may need special trucks for delivery from store locations. Our system prevents online orders above certain dimensions or weights. For oversized items, arrange In-Store Pickup or consult a sales agent.
e. Dangerous Goods
Federal regulations prohibit mailing hazardous materials like automotive batteries, chemicals, solvents, compressed gases, flammable liquids and similar dangerous goods. Restricted items removed from orders are non-refundable.
f. International Shipping
Currently Ralphs only ships eligible items to street addresses within the 50 United States and Washington D.C. We do not deliver to PO boxes, APO boxes or destinations outside the US.
**g. Military & Diplomat Addresses **
Orders can be shipped to military bases or embassy postal codes (AA, AE, AP) through APO/FPO/DPO but may encounter delays clearing customs. Military customers should consider designating receiving agents stateside for urgent orders.
h. Reservations
Ralphs reserves rights to cancel or restrict orders shipping to any location if reasonably necessary to comply with laws, protect parties involved or prevent violation of policies. This includes high risk regions with elevated fraud rates.
5. Packaging & Processing
Ralphs strives to package orders securely using minimal single use materials. Based on item types, shipments may include:
- Cardboard cartons sealed with paper tape
- Padded envelopes and poly mailers
- Insulated cooler bags
- Wood crates for oversized goods
- Biodegradable foam or cornstarch peanuts
Labels display only necessary address details and our return address to protect privacy. wraps provide discreet, tamper proof sealing without indication of contents.
Ralphs processes non-personal information like zip codes and delivery statistics in aggregate to streamline routes and improve delivery efficiency.
6. Shipping Partner Complaints
Ralphs contracts trusted third party carriers for order fulfillment. However, we cannot guarantee their performance. Direct any complaints about shipping experience specifically regarding issues like:
- Missing delivery scan updates
- Driver rudeness, negligence or misconduct
- Mishandled parcels
- Failure to follow recipient instructions
- Delivery delays exceeding carriers’ timetables
If delivery partners damage goods, arrive late, dump packages without care etc., immediately file complaints with their internal resolution channels. Ralphs will cooperate with investigating concerns but cannot enforce policies or liability beyond our control.
7. Delivery Issues
Notify Ralphs promptly regarding any problems with orders upon arrival. This includes but is not limited to:
- Missing, incomplete or substitute items
- Receiving someone else’s shipment
- Packages sent to the wrong address
- Evidence of opened or tampered parcels
- Water damaged boxes
- Infestations noticed upon opening
For undelivered packages returned to our facilities after failed attempts, Ralphs issues refunds deducting initial shipping fees. Customers can re-order items again paying all associated costs.
a. Redirecting Shipments
If you will be away when order arrives, proactively update delivery address or reschedule through your account dashboard before parcels ship out. Once dispatched, redirects incur additional charges.
b. Deadlines to Report Issues
To qualify for remedies, customers must notify Ralphs Customer Service regarding delivery problems or order inaccuracies within 5 days of estimated arrival dates. Contact us immediately so we can investigate order histories and shipping details while information remains accessible on our end.
c. Remedies
Where Ralphs proves responsible for shipping errors due to our fulfillment failures, we will rectify issues by resending items express at our cost or refunding orders. However, we reserve rights to deny resolutions for customer caused delivery problems.
Examples of common exclusions where Ralphs does not offer remedies:
- Refusing packages without inspection at door
- Neglecting to pick up orders from post offices when missed at home
- Failing to make appropriate arrangements for apartment complexes
8. Loss & Liability Limitations
Ralphs secures insurance to protect merchandise lost or damaged during shipment. However, our liability remains subject to various limitations and exclusions.
Unless legally required otherwise, Ralphs accepts no liability beyond refunding or replacing items in our sole discretion. We will not offer compensation above the invoiced quantity and sales price before taxes or other fees.
Further, Ralphs bears no liability regarding clean up, replacement, repairs or incidental costs related to lost, delayed or damaged goods like:
- Rental equipment to replace broken products
- Costs for contractors, handymen, electricians
- Medical bills for installation accidents
- Value of irreplaceable personal mementos
9. Customer Responsibilities
To facilitate accurate, secure deliveries customers must provide:
- Correct shipping address details
- Valid contact phone numbers
- Alternate delivery instructions as needed
- Notification regarding extended absences
- Prompt pick up of missed packages
You remain liable for costs arising from entry of flawed addresses and other errors on your end. Please double check details at checkout.
By placing orders with Ralphs for shipment, you agree to make reasonable provisions to take delivery personally or through authorized representatives.
10. Signature Services
Based on factors like high value or sensitive nature, Ralphs may mandate recipient signature at delivery indicating custody transfer. Drivers may decline handing items directly to those not matching names on shipping labels without signed proof of release.
Signature service aims to verify customers safely receive important shipments as expected. However, it does not guarantee condition or completeness of order contents which remain subject to independent inspection upon opening.
11. Alcohol Deliveries
All alcohol purchases require adult signatures at delivery after valid government ID checks. Ralphs carriers may refuse handing wines, spirits or beer to:
- Those failing to present legal photo identification with birth date
- Any persons under mandated alcohol consumption age limits
- Anyone visibly intoxicated
No refunds will be issued for undelivered alcohol shipments due to recipients not passing or refusing sobriety checks.
12. Accessorial Fees
Beyond base shipping prices, extra charges referred to as accessorial fees may apply when customers request or cause special processing due to:
- Redirecting deliveries already dispatched
- Rescheduling pending orders
- Rural routes without interstate access
- Lift-gate fees for home deliveries requiring truck assistance
Find details on potential accessorial surcharges when selecting shipping options during checkout. Additional fees appear on final invoices if applied to orders.
13. Import Duties & Taxes
For eligible international orders, recipients are responsible for import taxes, customs clearance, duties, brokers fees and other border costs. Failure to pay can result in cargo seizure preventing delivery altogether.
Ralphs has no duty reimbursem*nt policies for extra regulatory expenses foreign governments may impose. We reserve rights to dispose of undeliverable orders abandoned in customs after 30 days in bonded storage accruing daily fees at owners expense.
14. Shipping Policy Updates
Ralphs may amend this Shipping Policy periodically without advance notice. We will post updated versions on our website. Orders placed after changes go into effect will be governed by latest policies.
Revisions responding to new laws, regulations and technologies ensure our policies remain compliant and reflect evolving logistics capabilities. Updated terms only apply moving forward so orders already in transit will proceed under policies in place when originally dispatched.
This Shipping Policy was last updated on January 1, 2024.
15. Questions
Contact Ralphs Customer Service with questions or concerns about this Shipping Policy including order tracking, delivery issues, import fees, guarantees and restrictions:
Email: help@ralphsgroceries.com
Phone: 1-800-555-1234
