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What Is Instacart, and How Does It Work?
How Much Does Instacart Cost?
Do I Have to Tip My Instacart Shopper? How Much?
Key Takeaways
- Instacart is an online grocery delivery service that allows you to buy groceries from nearby stores for delivery to your doorstep.
- You can create an account, select a store, add items to your cart, choose a delivery time, and pay at checkout.
- Instacart assigns a personal shopper to collect and deliver your items. It's recommended to tip your Instacart shopper 20%.
While many swear by the in-person experience of grocery shopping, not everyone has the time or the patience to battle traffic and crowded grocery aisles.
Thankfully, services like Instacart have made online grocery shopping super convenient. Let's learn more about Instacart, how it works, and what makes it worth your while.
What Is Instacart, and How Does It Work?
Instacart is an online grocery delivery service available in the United States and Canada. It became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to be an essential service for many as it allows you to buy groceries and other items from your favorite nearby stores and have them delivered to your doorstep in as little as an hour or two.
Instacart partners with a wide variety of stores, including grocery stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, and leading retailers, so you can be sure to find what you're looking for. You can access the service via the official website or the mobile app on iOS and Android.
Download: Instacart for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)
Here's how it works: you create an account, enter your delivery address, select a store, add the items you want to cart, select a delivery time, and pay for your order at checkout. Instacart then assigns you a personal shopper who will go to the store, shop for all the items, and deliver them to your door. You can track your order's progress on the Instacart app.
As a precautionary measure, Instacart also lets you choose a replacement item for your shopper to pick up in case a certain item in your cart is out of stock. You can also reschedule the delivery and add instructions to help your shopper get to your address with ease.
Sometimes, delivery may not be possible since no shoppers are available near your location. In that case, you'll see the following message at checkout: "Right now, all shoppers are busy and working hard to get to every order. Please check back later."
Some stores also allow pickup alongside delivery. If you've selected pickup, you'll need to go to the store and show your order confirmation to your Instacart shopper who will have your order ready to be handed to you and taken home.
How Much Does Instacart Cost?
Instacart is free to use but requires all orders to be at least $10 to qualify for delivery. Delivery fee starts at $3.99 for same-day orders above $35. There's no service fee for pickup orders, but some retailers do charge a "pickup fee."
You'll also have to pay more if you pick the Priority Delivery option at checkout, which unlocks grocery delivery in as fast as 30 minutes. The specific amount of this fee will vary depending on your location, the availability of shoppers, and the size of your order.
If you sign up for the Instacart+ (formerly Instacart Express) membership program for $99/year, you can unlock perks, including free delivery on orders above $35, reduced service fees, 5% credit back on eligible pickup orders, and a free Peaco*ck Premium subscription.
Do I Have to Tip My Instacart Shopper? How Much?
Many Instacart shoppers report earning most of their income via tips, so although tipping is optional, it is highly encouraged.
How much? As a rule of thumb, you're expected to tip 20% of your order's total. In fact, many shoppers will ignore your order request if it doesn't include a tip. So, if you want great service from your shopper, try to leave a generous tip to make the trip worth their while.
Like many things in life, you're paying for the convenience of having your groceries and other shopping delivered. While Instacart makes the whole process easy, the shoppers are at its core and should receive fair compensation for their efforts.
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FAQs
You do not need to be a member to shop with Instacart. However, if you sign up for Instacart+ (previously Instacart Express) you'll get free delivery for orders that are more than $35 and reduced service fees, among other perks. Same-day delivery for non-Instacart+ members starts at $3.99 for orders more than $35.
What is the downside of Instacart? ›
Higher Prices: Some products have higher prices through Instacart than you'll find in-store. To make sure you aren't paying too much, be sure to read each store's pricing policy before deciding where to shop. Additional Fees: You will have to pay fees that could be avoided by shopping in-store.
How exactly does Instacart work? ›
It's simple. Using the Instacart app or website, you can shop for groceries (and more!) from a store near you. After you have placed your order, Instacart will connect you with a personal shopper in your area to shop and deliver your order. Contactless delivery is available with our "Leave at my door" option.
Is it worth it to pay for Instacart? ›
On its website, Instacart says you can save $7 per order on average with Instacart+. So if you're paying the annual membership fee of $99, or $8.25 a month when you break it down, you're practically making your money back right there. And you're easily making it back on your second order.
Is Instacart expensive to use? ›
Is there a fee to use Instacart? Instacart is free to use as a platform, but includes extra fees for free users. And even with free delivery, Instacart's additional fees can average around 10.37% of your item total, based on our local usage metrics in Southern California.
How do Instacart shoppers pay for the groceries? ›
All you need is your driver's license, social security number, and bank account information to set up direct deposit. Do I pay for groceries myself? Not at all. As an Instacart shopper, you'll get a payment card from Instacart and use it at the checkout register at every store you shop.
Do you tip Instacart? ›
Tips are optional but a great way to show your shoppers appreciation and recognition for their excellent service. 100% of your tip goes directly to the shopper(s) shopping and delivering your order. If 2 shoppers fulfill your order, the tip splits evenly between them.
Can I use Instacart without a membership? ›
You don't need a membership to shop with Instacart. But if you want to save time and money, Instacart+ (formerly known as Instacart Express) can help. It's a membership program that offers unlimited free grocery delivery on orders of $35 or more, lower service fees, and other exclusive benefits.
Is there a membership fee for Instacart? ›
Plans costs $9.99 a month or $99 a year and with one, you get more exclusive benefits that those with free memberships don't receive, such as unlimited free delivery on orders of at least $35, 5% credit back (with some restrictions), a Peaco*ck Premium subscription and the choice to create a shared family account.
Is Instacart safe to use? ›
How trustworthy is Instacart? Instacart holds an A+ rating from the BBB and is generally considered a trustworthy company. However, while many people use Instacart without any issues, some customers report issues with late deliveries, missing items, or incorrect orders.
In the end, Walmart nabbed the top spot as the cheapest place to buy groceries online. The big box store came out about 10% cheaper than Target and 18% cheaper than Amazon Fresh. If it's rare ingredients and gourmet goods you're after, these are the best places to buy specialty items online.
Why is Instacart trying to charge me $99? ›
Your Instacart+ membership automatically renews annually, and you will be charged an annual membership fee of $99/year to any active payment method you have on file until you cancel. Subscription prices are subject to change. Other fees, taxes and/or tips may apply.
How do you do Instacart for beginners? ›
Just create an account at shoppers.instacart.com. After that, download the Shopper app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store to complete the signup process. Once you're approved to shop, you can start making money on your own schedule.
What is the Instacart controversy? ›
Grocery delivery company Instacart will pay nearly $750,000 to settle allegations it failed to comply with Seattle's law mandating gig workers receive paid sick and safe time. The settlement came following an investigation by Seattle's Office of Labor Standards.
What are the problems facing Instacart? ›
Indeed, Instacart finds itself once again in tricky frenemy territory. It wants to be a partner to retailers while simultaneously competing with them for sales. At the same time, Instacart can't take its eye off the core e-commerce operation that still fuels so much of its high-flying ad business.
Is Instacart worth it for users? ›
Yes, as long as you can afford the various fees and the store doesn't offer its own affordable delivery service, our reviews team thinks Instacart is worth trying. Getting groceries can be a time-consuming task, so paying for delivery can free up your schedule and give you more personal time to slow down and relax.
How to make $500 a week with Instacart? ›
Although Instacart doesn't guarantee a minimum rate, it's reported that the average hourly rate for Instacart shoppers is $11. You'd have to work over a 40-hour workweek at this rate to hit the $500 mark but getting tips on top of that rate may shorten the load to 30 hours per week.
