Wow, my life as a full-time single mom, just got a lot easier! A friend of mine just introduced
me to this new online grocery delivery app called Instacart and it has been a life-changer! I am not one of those people who love to go grocery shopping, to be honest, I actually dread it. I try to avoid going to the grocery store for as long as I can until all we have left is cereal to eat for dinner. I am absolutely in love with Instacart, not only is it convenient, but it is also very easy to use! I save so much time now by having Instacart personal shoppers shop and deliver my groceries. So, I'm sure you are wondering...
What is Instacart?
Instacart is the world's largest online grocery service. It works by letting you shop from local grocery stores online, then sends a “personal shopper” to fulfill and deliver your order to you the same day. Instacart Offers:
500 million products available to shop across the catalog
40,000 stores from local grocers to chain stores
5,500+ cities served across the U.S. & Canada
Millions of orders are delivered or picked up yearly
How does Instacart work?
Ordering items on Instacart is a relatively straightforward process.
Getting started
To get started with Instacart, you can sign up and create an account on the website or app using your email, phone number, or Google or Facebook account.
Once you input your address or zip code, you can select from an assortment of stores in your area.
Some examples of stores that are available include:
Target
ALDI
Price Chopper
Costco
Dollar Tree
Walgreens
CVS
Sephora
The Vitamin Shoppe
7-Eleven
You can also filter retailers by categories, such as:
Grocery
Convenience
Alcohol
Beauty
Bulk
Retail
Pharmacy
Pets
Selecting Items
After you’ve chosen a specific store, you can begin browsing through items, which are sorted into categories, such as household items, beverages, produce, healthcare, or kitchen supplies.
The price is displayed, along with other details about the product. To add an item to your cart, simply press the plus button next to each item. You can also easily delete or order more of an item from your shopping cart.
Check Delivery Time(s) It’s easy to view the available delivery times for the store you selected, along with the specific price for different time slots throughout the day.
Checkout
When you’re ready to check out, you can choose a delivery time, add your mobile number, and include specific delivery instructions, if needed.
If you would like to have no-contact delivery, that is an option. During the checkout process, it will give you the option of having a no-contact delivery, if you would like your delivery driver to leave your order at your door.
After you choose your delivery method you will choose your payment method, which can be a credit card, debit card, or Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, if accepted by the specific store.
How Much Does it Cost? Delivery is free for your first order with Instacart. You do not need to be a member to shop with Instacart. Although you do not have to be a member, they do offer a monthly subscription service, Instacart Express, for member benefits, such as access to unlimited free deliveries on orders over $35 for $99 per year, or $9.99 per month. It also reduces the service fees on your orders. If you regularly use grocery delivery services, you may find Instacart Express worthwhile, especially if Instacart is available where you regularly shop.
Delivery Fees
Delivery fees start at $3.99 for same-day orders over $35. Fees vary for one-hour deliveries, club store deliveries, and deliveries under $35.
Pickup There may be a “pickup fee” (equivalent to a delivery fee for pickup orders) on your pick-up order.
Service Fees Service fees vary and are subject to change based on factors like location and the number and types of items in your cart. Orders containing alcohol have a separate service fee.
Instacart Express
With an optional Instacart Express membership, you can get a $0 delivery fee on every order over $35 and lower service fees too.
Tipping
Tipping is optional but encouraged for delivery orders. It’s a great way to show your shopper appreciation and recognition for excellent service. 100% of your tip goes directly to the shopper who delivers your order.
Will I pay the same price on Instacart as I would in the store?
Retail partners set the prices of items on the Instacart marketplace. While many retailers offer everyday store prices on Instacart, some retailers may set prices on the Instacart platform that are different from in-store prices.
What happens if something is out of stock and I need to give specific instructions?
Instacart makes it easy to communicate with your shopper. When an item you want is out-of-stock at the store, your shopper will follow your replacement preferences.
You can set item and delivery instructions in advance, as well as chat directly with your shopper while they shop and deliver your items. You can tell the shopper to:
Find Best Match: By default, your shopper will use their best judgment to pick a replacement for your item.
Pick Specific Replacement: You can pick a specific alternative for the shopper to purchase if your first choice is out-of-stock.
Don’t Replace: For items, you’d rather not replace, choose “Don’t replace” to get a refund if the item is out of stock.
*You can update or cancel your order as long as your shopper hasn’t started shopping. If you need to make changes after shopping has started, you can use the app or website to approve replacements or chat with your shopper.
What happens if there’s an issue with my order?
If something isn’t right, you’ve got options. In the Instacart app or website, you can report:
Missing items
Incorrect items
Damaged items
Poor replacements
Early/late orders
If an order never came, or you get someone else’s order, you can reach out to Instacart Care.
How does Instacart compare with other grocery delivery services?
This table compares Instacart with three other popular grocery delivery services: Walmart Delivery, Shipt, and Amazon Fresh.
Sourced from Healthline Online Article: “Instacart Review: Pros, Cons, and Is It Worth the Price?”
What are some of the pros and cons of using Instacart?
Pros and Cons of Instacart, sourced from Healthline online article: “Instacart Review: Pros, Cons, and Is It Worth the Price?”
Instacart Pro’s
available throughout the United States and 9 Canadian provinces
optional cost-saving Instacart Express subscription option
same-day delivery available
partners with several large grocery store chains
Instacart Con’s
not available in rural areas
without Instacart Express, the delivery fee and 5% service fee apply
Instacart prices may be more expensive than those in-store
some may find the service difficult to use
Comments