Do you ever hit "submit" on your Kroger online order and immediately remember that one crucial item you forgot? The milk for your morning coffee? The special ingredient for tonight's dinner? Don't panic! It's a common scenario, and thankfully, Kroger has a pretty forgiving system for modifying your orders.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the exact steps to add items to your Kroger order, whether it's for Pickup (formerly ClickList) or Delivery. We'll cover the crucial deadlines, how to navigate the app or website, and what to do if you're cutting it close.
The Golden Rule of Kroger Order Modification: The Deadline!
Before we dive into the "how-to," it's absolutely essential to understand the modification window. This is the single most important factor.
For Kroger Pickup Orders: You can generally add or edit items until Midnight (11:59 PM local time) of the day before your scheduled pickup. So, if your pickup is on Saturday morning, you have until Friday at 11:59 PM to make changes.
For Kroger Delivery Orders: The window for delivery orders can be a bit more fluid, especially if a third-party service like Instacart is involved. Generally, you can modify your order until the shopper begins picking your order. For Kroger-fulfilled deliveries, the deadline is similar to pickup orders – often until midnight the day before. However, for Instacart-fulfilled deliveries, you may be able to chat directly with your shopper even after they've started, if you've enabled notifications.
Why is this deadline so important? Because once Kroger (or their third-party partner) starts "picking" your order, it's typically locked in, and no further online modifications can be made.
Step 1: Accessing Your Order – Let's Get Started!
Alright, you've realized you need to add something. First things first, you need to get back to your existing order.
Sub-heading: Using the Kroger Website
Log In: Open your web browser and go to Kroger.com. Make sure you are logged into your Kroger digital account. This is the account you used to place the original order.
Navigate to "My Purchases" or "Order History": Once logged in, look for a section like "My Account" or your name in the top right corner. Click on it, and then usually under a dropdown menu, you'll find options like "My Purchases" or "Order History."
Locate the Relevant Order: Find the order you wish to modify. It should be listed with its scheduled pickup or delivery date and time. Click on it to view the order details.
Sub-heading: Using the Kroger Mobile App
Open the App: Launch the Kroger mobile app on your smartphone or tablet.
Log In (if necessary): Ensure you are logged into your Kroger digital account.
Go to "My Purchases" or "Orders": At the bottom navigation bar or through the main menu (often represented by three horizontal lines), look for an icon or text that says "Orders" or "My Purchases."
Select Your Order: Just like on the website, you'll see a list of your past and upcoming orders. Tap on the order you want to modify.
Step 2: Initiating the Modification Process
Once you've located your order details, you'll need to find the option to edit it.
Sub-heading: Finding the "Edit Order" Button
Look for "Modify Order" or "Edit Items": Within the order details screen, scan for a button or link that says something along the lines of "Modify Order," "Edit Order," or "Edit Items." This is usually quite prominent.
Confirm Availability: If the option to modify is not visible, or it appears grayed out, it likely means you have passed the modification deadline for that particular order. Don't worry, we'll address what to do in that scenario later.
Step 3: Adding Your Forgotten Items
Now for the main event – getting those forgotten items into your cart!
Sub-heading: Browse and Adding Items
Return to Shopping: Clicking "Modify Order" will often take you back to a shopping interface, similar to when you first placed the order. Your previously selected items will still be in your cart.
Search or Browse: Use the search bar or browse through departments to find the items you want to add.
Add to Cart: As you find items, click the "Add to Cart" button. The quantity can usually be adjusted directly on the item or within your cart.
Review Your Cart: Regularly check your cart to ensure all the new items (and your original ones) are present and accounted for, with the correct quantities.
Sub-heading: Adjusting Quantities or Removing Items (Optional)
This is also your chance to adjust quantities of existing items or even remove items you no longer need. Simply navigate to your cart and use the "+" or "-" buttons next to each item, or click the "remove" option if available.
Step 4: Reviewing and Confirming Your Modified Order
This is a critical step to ensure everything is correct before finalizing.
Sub-heading: Checking Your Updated Order Summary
Proceed to Checkout (Again): Once you've added all your desired items, click on your cart or the "Checkout" button.
Review the Order Summary: Carefully review the updated order summary. This includes:
All items listed: Are both your original items and the newly added ones there?
Correct quantities: Are the quantities accurate for every item?
Substitutions: Review your substitution preferences. If an item is out of stock, do you want a substitute? You can often select specific backup items or general preferences.
Estimated Total: The total cost will update to reflect the added items.
Pickup/Delivery Time: Ensure your chosen time slot is still correct.
Payment Information: While you might not be charged immediately (Kroger often charges upon pickup/delivery), your payment information should be securely on file. Any changes to the order total will be reflected in the final charge.
Sub-heading: Final Confirmation
Confirm Changes: Look for a button that says "Update Order," "Confirm Changes," or "Place Order" (again). Clicking this button will save your modifications.
Confirmation Email/Notification: You should receive an updated order confirmation email or an in-app notification confirming your changes. This is your proof that the additions were successful. Keep an eye out for it!
What If You Miss the Deadline?
So, you've tried to modify your order, but the "Edit" button is gone, or you're too close to your pickup/delivery time. Don't despair! You still have options.
Sub-heading: Option 1: Call Kroger Customer Service
The Best Bet: Your first course of action should be to call Kroger Customer Service directly.
Kroger Customer Service Number: 1-800-KROGERS (1-800-576-4377)
Explain your situation: Let them know you just placed an order and forgot to add a few items. They may be able to make a manual adjustment, especially if the order hasn't started being picked yet. Be prepared with your order number.
Sub-heading: Option 2: Ask at Pickup (For Pickup Orders)
Less Guaranteed, but Possible: If you're doing a pickup order and it's too late to modify online or by phone, you can politely ask the associate when you arrive if they can quickly add the forgotten item(s) to your order. This is entirely at their discretion and depends on store policy and how busy they are. They may have to ring it up as a separate transaction. Don't rely on this, but it's worth a try for small, urgent additions.
Sub-heading: Option 3: Place a Second Order (Least Ideal)
A Last Resort: If all else fails and you absolutely need the items, you could place a separate, new order for just those few items. However, this means you'll likely incur another pickup/delivery fee (if applicable) and have two separate transactions. Only do this if the items are absolutely essential and the other options aren't viable.
Key Considerations for a Smooth Experience
Account Login: Always ensure you are logged into the correct Kroger digital account associated with your order.
Internet Connection: A stable internet connection is crucial for seamless modifications.
App Updates: Keep your Kroger app updated to the latest version for the best experience.
Substitution Preferences: While modifying, it's a good time to double-check or adjust your substitution preferences for all items in your order. This ensures you get what you need even if an item is out of stock.
Check Your Email: Kroger sends email updates for order confirmations, modifications, and when your order is ready for pickup or on its way for delivery. Always check these!
Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about modifying Kroger orders, starting with "How to":
How to know if my Kroger order has been locked for changes?
You'll know if your order is locked for changes if the "Modify Order" or "Edit Items" option is no longer visible or is grayed out on your order details page in the app or website. This indicates the modification deadline has passed.
How to add multiple items to a Kroger order at once after placing it?
After clicking "Modify Order," you'll be taken back to the shopping interface. You can then search for and add as many new items as you like to your cart, just as you did when initially placing the order. The system will update your existing order with all additions.
How to change the pickup time for my Kroger order?
While you can add items, directly changing the pickup or delivery time slot for an existing order is often not possible online once it's placed. You may need to cancel and re-place the entire order with the new time, or contact customer service for assistance.
How to cancel an item from a Kroger order?
When you go to "Modify Order" and view your cart, you will typically see options (like a "minus" button or a "remove" link) next to each item to decrease its quantity or remove it entirely from your order.
How to contact Kroger customer service about an existing order?
You can contact Kroger customer service by calling 1-800-KROGERS (1-800-576-4377). Have your order number ready to provide to the representative for quicker assistance.
How to check the status of my Kroger order after modification?
After modifying your order, you should receive an updated confirmation email. You can also always check the status of your order by logging into your Kroger digital account on the website or app and navigating to "My Purchases" or "Orders."
How to handle substitutions when modifying my Kroger order?
When modifying your order, you can review and adjust your substitution preferences for all items, including the newly added ones. You can often choose to "Allow Substitutions," "No Substitutions," or even select a specific "Backup Item" for each product.
How to know if my Kroger delivery is fulfilled by Kroger or a third-party like Instacart?
During the checkout process on Kroger's website or app, when selecting your delivery time slot, it often indicates if the order will be fulfilled directly by Kroger (look for the "Blue Truck" icon) or by a third-party service like Instacart. For third-party deliveries, you might have more direct communication options with the shopper.
How to ensure I get text message updates about my Kroger delivery order, especially for substitutions?
During the checkout process, or within your account settings under communication preferences, you can usually opt-in to receive text message updates about your order, including notifications about substitutions or out-of-stock items. This is highly recommended for delivery orders.
How to deal with price changes after adding to a Kroger order?
The estimated total of your order will update as you add items. The final price you are charged will reflect the prices at the time of your pickup or delivery, along with any relevant coupons or promotions. Kroger typically puts a hold on your card for an estimated amount, and the final charge adjusts based on actual items and weights.
