Instacart, based in The United States, is a grocery delivery and pick-up service that operates within America and Canada. Personal-shoppers (also referred to as Instacart Shoppers) will pick and pack your order depending on your chosen retailer and will deliver your order directly to your door.
Tipping is a mandatory feature when using the Instacart service, and this tip is supposed to go directly to the Instacart shopper who has packed and delivered your goods. It’s recommended to tip a minimum of 5% of the total of your order, however, the more you can give – the more helpful you’ll be for the shopper.
Despite the controversy surrounding Instacart’s business model when it comes to paying their workers- customers of Instacart can reap the benefits by appreciating their online service, as well as the worker through a decent tip. If you’d like to learn everything you need to know about Instacart and their tipping section, continue reading.
Should You Tip Instacart Shoppers and How Much?
As a rule of thumb, you should always tip Instacart shoppers for being a part of the service which Instacart provides. Tipping demonstrates good manners, shows appreciation, and helps the shopper financially.
Although Instacart recommends a minimum of 5% tip – the average as per a Qantas report explains that most hospitality servers are given 10 – 15% extra, with 25% on the higher scale.
There’s an option where you can enter in (on the app or website) how much you’d like to tip your Instacart shopper- and the more you can, the more helpful you’ll be.
It’s no secret that previous Instacart shoppers have complained about the poor tipping system which is currently implemented into the Instacart business model- so if you can ever tip cash, I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.
Remember: Most Instacart shoppers are being under-paid- so any extra you can afford for their service is helpful.
Can Instacart Shoppers See Tips?
If you’ve ever wondered whether your favorite Instacart shopper who delivers your groceries once a fortnight notices if you tip him – the short answer is yes. From current and previous Instacart shopper experiences, they’ve mentioned that they can see who tips and who doesn’t.
However, they claim they do not know your name or address. In fact, the way it shows up in each invoice varies. So if they’ve completed two deliveries and only one person (client A) has tipped, it’ll show up as “Client A tip $5,” as an example.
What is Instacart and How Does it Work?
Instacart is an outsourcing system that offers American and Canadian clients a grocery delivery and pick-up service. Using both online and mobile apps, this service allows customers to choose groceries from select retailers, and have an Instacart shopper deliver them to their door.
How Instacart works:
- Register an account with Instacart using a web browser or downloading the app
- Enter your address (make sure it’s accurate)
- Choose what store you’d like to browse/purchase from
- Fill your cart
- When finished reading and deciding what items you’ll purchase, click the cart icon
- Type in your details (address, instructions, payment info, etc)
- Click “place order”
- Turn on your notifications and wait for your Instacart shopper to arrive!
What is the Delivery Fee for Instacart?
Although there’s no set delivery fee for Instacart, their delivery fees start from as low as $3.99. With the minimum order of $10 in mind, your delivery is determined by numerous factors:
- Same day delivery
- One hour delivery
- Deliveries under $35
- Express membership deliveries
- Club store deliveries
For people who choose to purchase an express membership, Instacart offers free-delivery if your order is over $35.
If you’re unsure what your delivery fee might be, you’ll be offered a clear indication before ordering- when choosing your delivery window.
Is Instacart Worth Using?
Instacart is a fantastic service for those who are limited on resources, time, or availability. Depending on your circumstances, some people will benefit from using Instacart more than others.
If you live out of town, a far distance from a sufficient grocery store, or maybe you don’t have reliable transport- Instacart can be a helpful alternative. For busy parents, non-stop workaholics, or even the elderly, using this service will also serve a purpose.
However, with this service comes extra fees. And if you’re lucky enough to own a vehicle, or can adequately buy your groceries with no hassles, then these fees might not seem worth it to you – and you’re probably right.
Delivery fees and a minimum order are required with Instacart. In addition, grocery items on the app tend to be slightly higher than purchasing in-store; so if you have no significant reason to use this service, it’s best not doing so.
With that in mind- if you’re unable or have no time to do the household shopping yourself (and you don’t mind the extra fees) then this service is certainly worth using!
What Do Instacart Shoppers Do?
Instacart shoppers partake in the same activities as a personal shopper or professional grocery shopper. What sets Instacart shoppers aside from someone who, let’s say, works for Uber Eats – is they’re usually the ones who will pick and pack your items too.
If you’re interested in working for Instacart, you’ll be responsible for picking and packing grocery orders. Depending on if Instacart is in your region, you’ll be sent an order (that someone has placed) via the app and you’ll need to begin transit to that particular convenience store.
Once arrived, you’ll ensure you’ve accurately purchased everything on the invoice – and then you’ll be expected to make your way to the customer’s delivery address that has been specified. It’s your responsibility to follow all instructions given – and if you have any problems, you should reach out to Instacart’s assistance team.
Does Walmart Use Instacart?
Walmart uses its various partnerships with different companies to offer their customers home-delivery, and one of those partners include Instacart. Offering to select markets within the US, Walmart and Instacart have joined forces to offer customers same-day delivery.
These markets include (but are not limited to) three locations within California- Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. Tulsa and Oklahoma are also included.
With Instacart expanding upon Walmart, this gives their client base a wider variety of home delivery options- aside from just groceries. Walmart also offers home decor, electronics, alcohol, and so much more!
How are Instacart Groceries Delivered?
After placing your order from Instacart’s web app or mobile, your chosen items will start being packed for delivery. It is then when a personal shopper can begin the delivery process. Once your groceries are ready to be picked up, your personal shopper will make their way to the address specified when you placed the order.
If for some reason, both yourself or the driver of your order are unable to find one another, simply reach out to them by sending them a message directly via web app or mobile. And if you’ve mistakenly entered the wrong address, you’ll need to contact Instacart’s assistance team immediately.
When the driver has arrived at your address, they’ll drop your items off at your door – and you’ll be good to go.
Find below helpful tips when it comes to ordering/receiving an Instacart delivery:
- Ensure you’ve entered the correct delivery details before placing your order
- Keep an eye on your tracking/text/calls, incase your delivery driver is having issues
- Clearly explain delivery instructions (Apartment codes, alternative parking, dogs, etc)
- Turn on your notifications
- If the customer can NOT be located within an adequate time frame, your order risks being canceled
Is There a Minimum Order for Instacart?
Like most personal grocery shopper/delivery companies – they tend to require a minimum order value, and Instacart is no different. As mentioned on the Instacart fees and taxes page, “all orders must be at least $10 before being eligible for delivery.”
But if you pay to have an express membership – your minimum order value will be $35, in exchange for free delivery.
Any order that is attempted to be made under Instacart’s $10 minimum order threshold will automatically bounce, and you’ll be required to continue filling your cart up until you’ve reached the appropriate value.