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Instacart is one of the most dependable online grocery delivery platforms in the nation. But there’s no perfect service. And now and then, mistakes occur and something you ordered doesn’t show up. So does Instacart refund missing items?

Instacart does refund missing items. To request a refund, report the issue to customer support. After they’ve confirmed it, a refund will be processed. An Instacart account credit is instant, whereas a refund credited to a bank account or card can take 5-10 days. 

In this article, we’ll check out themes around whether Instacart refunds missing items and how to request a refund. But we’ll also look at whether you can just get them to send you the missing items and if the Shopper gets penalized for mistakes.

Let’s get into it. 

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

What happens if Instacart forgets something?

An item that was ordered and not delivered but was paid for would be eligible for a refund or account credit. But it has to be reported by the customer. However, in the event a Shopper simply forgot to deliver all of the shopping bags from their car, it would most likely be re-delivered in a timely manner.

The main thing is to report the issue and get it resolved. 

And if the Shopper messed up, you can give them a lower rating on the app. Too many low ratings and they will start to be given fewer orders. Eventually, repeat errors can get them let go by Instacart.

But the Shopper is not penalized for mistakes, and their pay is not docked when this kind of mistake occurs. 

Instacart bears the cost. It’s almost always a mistake because, as I hinted above, Shoppers are aware of the rating system and would not be careless or deliberately do what may hurt their contract and earnings.

Some Shoppers are so diligent that customers have wondered if they could get the same Shopper to do their deliveries. Is this possible? 

It’s the theme of a recent article of mine where I looked at what happens when you complain about a shopper. I also looked at whether shoppers are free to choose orders and the info you can see about shoppers.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

What I miss about shopping for my own groceries, picking out my own produce. This is what my Instacart shopper picked for me, brown a d slimy. Refund issued. pic.twitter.com/A6wtj1g5fR

— Jim Nichols (@BiboJim) November 21, 2020

Do Instacart Shoppers get penalized for refunds?

Instacart Shoppers do not get penalized for refunds. Instacart bears the cost of refunds. The way Shoppers are impacted is through the ratings that customers leave. However, it is possible for a Shopper who has multiple issues with refund to be let go. 

But if a Shopper consistently gets low ratings, it will affect their earnings. 

How? They won’t be getting enough orders to justify being a Shopper. The algorithm rewards hardworking and professional Shoppers who get the best ratings.

But those who get multiple low ratings get fewer orders given to them.

If a Shopper makes few mistakes, it would probably not affect them adversely because the rating system is not that punitive. It’s only when a Shopper is becoming a liability, as determined by multiple low ratings, that the algorithm penalizes them.

You can rate Shoppers, but you’ve probably wondered whether they can also rate you. 

Check out a recent article where I looked at whether customers get rated on Instacart. I also looked at whether Shoppers get to choose the orders they want to deliver. And I spoke about whether Shoppers rate customers.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

@Instacart some customer are liars!!! Because they paid Almost $20 for shrimp, they say item is missing!!!! Please do something!!! pic.twitter.com/pUTbcH1UeW

— Patty (@PattyAlejandraL) April 3, 2020

Do some Instacart customers lie about missing items?

Given there is no way to prove an item is missing, it is possible some customers lie about missing items. Even with some photographic evidence of the delivery, it would be easy to keep 1 or more items delivered and claim they were missing.

Instacart Shoppers, in their comments on a popular forum, wrote about their experiences with customers who lie about missing items.

Instacart shoppers must provide feedback to Instacart support about these cases of fraud. 

When complaints are made about customers, their accounts are flagged.  Customers who lie often do it again. Backed by data about this pattern, they would most likely be deactivated from the platform in time.

The best way for Shoppers to protect themselves is to ensure that they take pictures of all items they deliver to each customer and report to Instacart as soon as they sense that something is amiss.

But for large orders that can be pretty hard to do.

.@Instacart Who do I inform that a wrong item was delivered to my Mom yesterday? We only ever order red grapefruit, but yellow ones were delivered. pic.twitter.com/hAqmOs0qPR

— Reid Walley (@ReidWalley) July 4, 2019

Does Instacart refund wrong items?

Instacart does offer refunds for wrong items if a Shopper simply selected an incorrect item or made a substitution without the permission of the customer. Report the issue via the app and either immediately get an Instacart credit or a refund credited to a bank account or card within 5–10-days. 

You have up to 7 days to report issues with your order.

So, if your Instacart order is wrong, simply contact customer support using the Instacart app or website. Report the error, and the issue would be resolved promptly. 

It’s uncommon that Instacart Shoppers would send you with the wrong items though. 

There’s a rating system in place that incentivizes them to do their best because you get to rate them. And their reviews and earnings depend on the ratings. 

So, most would get you the correct items most of the time. 

We’re human beings; errors come with the territory. And it happens even to the best of Shoppers. You have nothing to worry about as you’ll get a refund.

But have you ever wondered whether Instacart Shoppers steal groceries?

I researched it and wrote up my findings in a recent article of mine. In it, I also looked at whether you can get scammed on Instacart. I explored who pays when your items are missing. And whether shoppers can add personal items to your bill.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

‘Refund my money!’ Customers accuse Instacart shoppers of stealing their groceries https://t.co/zTQAOVbPxD#CoronaVirus #CoronaVirusOutbreak #COVID2019 #covid19 #medtwitter #virus #CoronaVirusChallenge #Corona #pandemic #batflu #Wuhan #Quarantine #socialdistancing pic.twitter.com/GhcauMvyXb

— Rich Tehrani (@rtehrani) April 9, 2020

How do I request a refund on Instacart?

To request a refund, simply contact Instacart via the app or website, or call 1 (888) 246-7822. Customers have up to 7 days to report issues with an order. Of course, it’s best to report it as soon as possible. 

The below steps show how to ask for a refund:

• Tap the 3 horizontal lines at the top left corner of the app and tap Your orders.
• Tap Get help on the specific order you have an issue with.
• Choose the issue you experienced  
• If prompted, indicate whether you were charged for the items
• Select the affected items in your order
• If prompted, select an Instacart credit or a refund

The account credit is immediate, while the refund to a bank or credit card can take 5 to 10 days.

Of course, for a wrong or damaged item, you could also take it to the store with your Instacart receipt and ask for a credit, replacement, or refund. 

Conclusion  

In the article, we looked at whether Instacart refunds missing items. We started with what happens when it forgets something.

Then, we looked at whether its shoppers get penalized for refunds. We looked at whether some customers lie about missing items.

And we wrapped things up by looking at how to request a refund.

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

Image by Robin Higgins from PixabayImage by REDQUASAR from Pixabay

The Grocery Store Guy, part of the Middle Class Dad family of websites, is reader-supported and when you make a purchase through some of my links, I  may earn a small commission from the sale, which in no way increases the cost to you. Learn more HERE.

Instacart has become the dominant online grocery delivery service in the nation. But times are tough, and we don’t always inventory our orders or scrutinize our deliveries. So, do Instacart shoppers steal groceries?

As a general rule, Instacart shoppers do not steal groceries, but it has happened. Customers should review the Instacart receipt once the order is delivered and quickly report missing items to Instacart to receive a refund.

But missing items aren’t necessarily proof that the Shopper stole them. Mistakes happen.

Instacart investigates and would offer you credit or a refund, even if it were indeed a question of theft. There’s not much incentive for shoppers to steal groceries.

They could be deactivated from the platform if found, and as customers gave them low ratings, they will get fewer and fewer orders given to them since Instacart gives priority to the highest-rated Shoppers.

In the article, we’ll explore issues around whether Instacart shoppers steal groceries. How often it happens and what you can do if you think it has happened to you.

Let’s get into it…

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

Do Instacart Shoppers pay for missing items?

Instacart Shoppers do not pay for missing items, as they may not be responsible. When customers report missing items, Instacart investigates, and when it’s confirmed, it offers to refund the customer or credits them. That way, they can either have their money back or order again.

Instacart does not require that its Shoppers pay for missing items when they’re reported as there is no way to prove the Shopper took the item or was negligent. 

Instacart takes responsibility for it. 

It’s a part of the cost of doing business. In some cases, Shoppers say that cases of missing items are scams perpetrated by unscrupulous customers. 

But in some cases, the Shopper may have forgotten. It happens, even though it’s uncommon. No matter what caused it, the Shopper often “pays” for it. Didn’t I just say they don’t pay for missing items? I’ll explain.

Instacart doesn’t charge Shoppers for missing items. But it has a rating system through which customers rate the quality of the service they’re being provided by a Shopper.

It stands to reason that a low rating would be given if one were to find out that items that one needs urgently and has been paid for are missing! 

If a shopper gets consistently low ratings, it will affect their ability to get orders to deliver in the future, which would hurt their earnings.  

The rating system is a powerful feedback tool for everybody. But have you ever wondered whether Shoppers can rate you? 

That’s the theme of a recent article of mine where I revealed whether shoppers also get to rate you. I also explained whether they can choose orders they fulfill. And, the elephant in the room: What happens if a shopper were to complain about you?

Just click the link to read it on my site.

@Instacart also just realized I paid $30 dollars for pull ups that I DID NOT RECEIVE. Overcharged on my bill for $70 for NOTHING
No pull ups here#scammed pic.twitter.com/87o6qETSI1

— dancingmonsters (@dancingmonsters) November 16, 2020

Can you get scammed on Instacart?

It is possible to get scammed on Instacart, but unlikely. Because the platform has a system for rating Shoppers, fraudulent Shoppers can easily be fished out and let go by Instacart. It’s not easy for Shoppers to perpetrate scams, and most Shoppers want long-term income more than a quick scam.

There have been reports of scammers hacking the accounts of genuine Instacart Shoppers. They could buy the groceries, and in some cases, add things you did not order. 

Then, they would pretend as if they were on their way to deliver. 

A few minutes later, you could see a notification on the app that your order has been delivered, when in fact, it has not been delivered!

If that’s what you experienced, the solution is to quickly report the incident to Instacart. 

It would be investigated, and the situation would be remedied. You’ll get a refund or Instacart credit so that you can reorder. 

usatoday.com has a report of a woman who claimed that her $351 purchase never arrived, even though it was marked “delivered” immediately after the Shopper started shopping! 

The Shopper even pulled up an old picture of her home, which was used as proof that the delivery has been made!

There have also been a few cases where unscrupulous Shoppers added a few items for themselves and charged them to customers’ accounts! 

They are hoping that they won’t notice it. But, these scams can be easily detected. Once you do, simply report it to Instacart Care, and it would be resolved.

In some cases, the Shopper must have delivered to the wrong address. 

Of course, it would seem like a scam to you. The important thing is to realize that even though you did not get your order when you wanted it, Instacart would ensure you get your money back and, in some cases, would reorder the items. 

Most Shoppers are good people, and some provide truly outstanding service every time. 

And there are enough of them that some customers would love an option of using the same Shopper again. Is that possible? I answered the question and similar ones in a recent article of mine.

Just click the link to read it on my site.   

why did these come in my instacart order 😭😭😭 as a lactose intolerant person, I definitely did not order these things pic.twitter.com/qogx5PhBp6

— Kate💛💛 (@thisismetryying) October 27, 2020

Can Instacart Shoppers add personal items to your bill? 

Shoppers can update an order based on your instructions which, with an unscrupulous Shopper, could include adding personal items to the order. Customers should review the Instacart receipt for the delivered order, which makes it easy to detect any products not originally ordered. 

So while the occurrences are rare, there are a few reported cases where an unethical Shopper added something for themselves to a customer’s bill, hoping that they won’t notice. 

But, it’s extremely unlikely because such a Shopper could be easily found out, terminated, and possibly even have criminal charges filed.

That leads to a relevant question: Why do Shoppers have the ability to update an order in the first place? It’s simple. 

Perhaps, a particular item you ordered is not available in the store, and they sought your permission to replace it with another. 

Or maybe the quantity they have is not enough, and the Shopper got your permission to make it up with another brand.

There are rare cases where some customers ask Shoppers to add a bottle of soda or a candy bar for themselves. 

But unless you specifically instructed a Shopper, they have no right to update your order. But even if they did, it’s nothing to worry about. Simply ensure that you always check your receipt and reach out to Instacart if you noticed anything strange.

It’s not an issue to worry about as most shoppers are honest and hardworking people. Because they’re offering a vital service, it’s natural to wonder if they should be tipped. 

Should you tip Instacart drivers? 

Check out a recent article of mine where I explained how Instacart works. I looked at its delivery fee and how its grocery pick-up service works. And I also spoke about whether its drivers should be tipped or not.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Shame on InstaCart! Driver left receipt showing what was actually paid. Instacart claims the bill was much higher. Phone rep said driver shouldn’t have left receipt and refused refund of $52.95 overcharge. She said company stands by its quotes. Thieves! Total scammers @Instacart pic.twitter.com/NcGZrs2lch

— MommaWilson (@LisaMWilson7) February 22, 2020

Do you get a paper receipt with Instacart?

Customers do not get a paper receipt from Instacart. This is because Instacart usually marks up the prices from what the store sells things for. The receipt customers receive is from Instacart and is handled through the app. 

Marking up the shelf price is one of the ways Instacart makes its money.

Instacart marks up most of the prices, especially in stores where it’s not a partner. But there’s nothing wrong with markups. They are a normal part of doing business. 

After all, Instacart is a business, not a charity. It has arrangements with its partner stores, too. And ultimately, customers are paying more for the convenience of not having to shop themselves.

But do they mark up every store, and how much do they mark things up?

Luckily, I get into all that in a recent article. I not only say how much more they charge, on average, compared to the store price. But I also share the few stores where they don’t do that.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Want to earn a little extra money? Become an Instacart shopper! #adhttps://t.co/NG4raD2S3P pic.twitter.com/nrGwdMOONt

— Natalie (@GoFromBroke) December 26, 2019

How does Instacart screen Shoppers?

Instacart contracts the company Checkr to screen prospective Shoppers. On average, the process takes ten days. They check employment history, driving records, and criminal background. This way, it helps ensure they only hire safe and trustworthy individuals.

The process starts after Instacart has extended a conditional offer to an applicant to become one of its Shoppers. 

Prospective shoppers have to provide a written consent because the screening process is not performed by Instacart directly but rather by Checkr, Inc. 

Applicants can follow the progress of their background check on a dedicated portal owned by Checkr. They can also engage with the company if there are issues in the background check they believe are inaccurate and would like to dispute.

The driving/traffic records of full-service Shoppers are checked to ensure that there are no significant moving violations.

They also require a criminal background check on all applicants. 

It says it is performed in line with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and its belief in providing employment opportunities.

Conclusion

In the article, we explored whether Instacart shoppers steal groceries. 

We looked at whether you can get scammed on the platform and if Shoppers can add personal items to your bill! We also checked if you get a paper receipt from Instacart. But we also walked you through the crucial process of how to request a refund from Instacart if you feel you are owed one.

Lastly, we wrapped with how it screens its Shoppers. 

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

Image by vicky gharat from Pixabay
Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

The Grocery Store Guy, part of the Middle Class Dad family of websites, is reader-supported and when you make a purchase through some of my links, I  may earn a small commission from the sale, which in no way increases the cost to you. Learn more HERE.

It’s a little uncommon that an online order would be delivered to someone else. But it happens, and it can be confusing and disappointing. So, what happens if Instacart delivers to the wrong address?

If an order is listed as delivered on the Instacart app, but it’s not at your house, contact Instacart customer service. A refund can take several days, but a credit on the account is instant. Then simply place the order again and ensure the address and delivery instructions are correct.

Be rest assured that deliveries made to the wrong address are promptly remedied by Instacart.  

In this article, we’ll explore what to do if you forgot to update your account on Instacart and whether you can change your address when you’ve already placed an order. 

We’ll also find out if it’s possible to use Instacart for multiple addresses and if you’ll get a refund if Instacart were to deliver your order to the wrong address. Finally, what if you got someone else’s order? What are you supposed to do?

Let’s dive right in…   

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

What do I do if I forgot to update my address on Instacart?

To update an address on Instacart, if there are no pending orders, simply go to Instacart’s website or app and update the delivery address. But if there is an order pending, call Instacart customer care immediately to notify them of the error. 

That helps ensure your order won’t be delivered to the wrong address.  

Instacart Shoppers need your correct address to be able to get your order to you. They aren’t psychics. They have no choice but to use the address that’s available to them on the Instacart app. They load it into a map, and that’s what guides them. So, it’s vital to ensure that Instacart always has your current address. 

But we are humans, if you forget, quickly reach out to Instacart Care for assistance if you have an order in progress. 

Call Instacart at 1 (888) 246-7822.

If you don’t have a pending order, simply use its website or app and update the address. It’s simple. Just follow the below steps.

To change an address from the homepage:

• Select the address listed at the top of the screen
• To add a new address, add it in the Add a new address bar and select Save Address
• To edit, select Edit near the address, edit, then select Save Address
• To remove an address, select Edit, and then select Delete address

If there are delivery instructions you’ll like to add, you can add them in this section.

To change an address from the mobile app:

• If you’re using the app, tap the 3 horizontal lines on the upper left-hand corner. If it’s the website, click the 3 horizontal lines at the top left.
• Select Your account settings if you’re using the app or Account settings and then Your account settings, if it’s the website
• Select Address
• To add a new address, add it in the Add a new address bar and select Save Address
• To edit, select Edit near the address, edit, then select Save Address
• To remove an address, select Edit, and then select Delete address

You can also include delivery instructions.

Suppose you live in an apartment complex, can you use Instacart? 

Check out a recent article I wrote on that. I looked at whether Instacart Shoppers would come to your door in an apartment complex and whether they deliver to gated apartments. I also looked at whether they deliver upstairs.

Just click the link to read it on my site. 

@Instacart why is you website and your internal shopper apps down pic.twitter.com/mhEu9Y7mtG

— Ismael cruz (@Ismaelc23309774) May 6, 2020

Can I change my address if I already put in an order on Instacart?

If there is a pending order with Instacart for the wrong address, simply call Instacart customer service about the change. Then for future orders, proceed to update the delivery address using the app or website. Note that address changes apply for orders placed after the update. 

Call Instacart at 1 (888) 246-7822

So, while you can easily change your delivery address on the Instacart app or website for a pending order, it’s best to call. 

Changing it on the app will only apply to new orders. And sending an email to customer service may not get seen before your order is delivered to your old address. 

In the section above, I outlined the steps required to do so. It’s very simple, and it can be done in less than 5 minutes.  

Big shoutout to the Instacart customer who put the wrong, far away address in for delivery so I got to keep her $200 Whole Foods grocery haul 🙂 pic.twitter.com/Ts5MSQtqCn

— monica rose (@trumonica) August 28, 2018

Can you use Instacart for different addresses?

It is possible to use Instacart for different addresses. Instacart allows you to have multiple addresses and to indicate which address a particular order should be sent to when placing an order. 

There may be relatives to send groceries to, or some may occasionally wish for the delivery to be made to their work. The only stipulation is that it must be a location that is currently being served by Instacart.

To ensure that groceries are sent to other people you care about, simply make sure that the billing address is yours, while the delivery address is to the person you want the groceries delivered to. 

To add a new address, simply click view account, click account settings, and then click add new address.

In an earlier section, we looked at how to add and edit new addresses. Simply follow the steps. It’s also helpful to add delivery instructions that could help the Shopper get your order to a different address.

There are times when your order may not even be picked up by any Shopper! 

What are you supposed to do? Check out a recent article of mine to find out. In it, I shared how quickly you coil get a refund for a canceled Instacart order and why your order is being pushed back. I also shared details on how to get in touch with Instacart.

Just click the link to read it on my site. 

My Instacart order was delivered to the wrong address lol. The delivery photo shows a blue door when we have a dark brown door. I went on to Google Maps street view and found the house with the blue door (it’s 268; our house is 258).

I promised I was gonna make lunch. 🤦🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/iINOCIVWgL

— Jarrel Benedict (@jrlbenedict) June 12, 2020

Do I get a refund if Instacart delivers my order to the wrong address?

Customers will get a refund if an Instacart driver delivers an order to the wrong address. But not if the customer simply failed to update an old address. To request a refund, simply contact Instacart customer service to inform them of the problem. 

Call Instacart at 1 (888) 246-7822

It rarely happens because Shoppers use the address you provided to help them get to you. But being human beings, errors occur now and then. 

Simply contact Instacart. They would investigate and ensure that you get a refund, as long as you were not the one who provided the wrong address. You have up to 14 days to report issues with your order. Of course, it’s best to report it as soon as possible. 

The below steps show how to ask for a refund:

• Tap the 3 horizontal lines at the top left corner of the app, and tap Your orders.
• Tap Get help on the specific order you have an issue with
• Choose the issue you experienced  
• If prompted, indicate whether you were charged for the items
• Select the affected items in your order
• If prompted, select an Instacart credit or a refund

An account credit is immediate, while a refund to a card or bank account can take 5 to 10 days.

You’re probably curious about what’s likely to happen to Shoppers when they make mistakes, such as delivering orders to the wrong addresses. 

Are Shoppers penalized for their mistakes?

That’s the theme of a recent article of mine, where I showed what happens if your Instacart order is wrong and how to report wrong items on Instacart. I even shared how you could complain about an Instacart Shopper.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

This was delivered to our doorstep randomly. Either I have generous but exceedingly random friends or Instacart got an address wrong. pic.twitter.com/VCxgRsuW7s

— Wende (@wenders1022) August 12, 2021

What do I do if I receive someone else’s order from Instacart?

If an Instacart order is delivered to your address by mistake, it is for you to consume and use or donate. You are under no obligation to Instacart for items you found by your door, and food safety protocols would prevent them from picking it up and delivering it elsewhere. 

Of course, you can check with your closest neighbors first to make sure it wasn’t meant for them.

But the truth is that those groceries are someone else’s. They will complain and get a refund. So, enjoy. It’s a rare occurrence that you’d get groceries meant for someone else. And we should hope it continues to be rare. 

The integrity and sustainability of Instacart’s business model rest on its ability to deliver groceries to the right addresses. 

But because we’re all fallible, now and then, Shoppers do make mistakes. 

And sometimes Instacart is slow. Why? In a recent article, I explained why. I spoke about issues such as how long Instacart usually takes, how Instacart works, and whether it takes longer than promised.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Conclusion

In the article, we explored what to do if you forgot to update your account on Instacart and whether you can change your address when you’ve already placed an order. 

We also found out if it’s possible to use Instacart for multiple addresses and if you’ll get a refund from Instacart if they were to deliver your order to the wrong address. 

Finally, we checked out what you’re supposed to do if you got someone else’s order.

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

The Grocery Store Guy, part of the Middle Class Dad family of websites, is reader-supported and when you make a purchase through some of my links, I  may earn a small commission from the sale, which in no way increases the cost to you. Learn more HERE.

In an ideal world, customers would never cancel orders. But for Instacart Shoppers who get paid to shop and deliver grocery orders, does Instacart pay for canceled orders?

Instacart does pay for canceled orders. But because the fulfillment cycle is not complete, Instacart typically only pays a portion of the fee, as in most cases, only part of the work has been done.

But there’s a lot more to learn.

In this article, we’ll check out what happens if a customer cancels an Instacart order, whether you would get paid if an order is canceled before you started shopping, and whether there is a cancellation window.

But we will also explore whether customers can cancel orders after checkout. And, we will wrap things up by looking at who pays better: DoorDash or Instacart?

Let’s dive right in.

Ready to make more money than with Instacart? Consider DoorDash!

DoorDash is a great alternative to working for Instacart and generally pays better.

See how much you could be earning. Available in over 4,000 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. All you need is a mode of transportation and a smartphone to start making money.

CLICK HERE to learn more about working for DoorDash!

What happens if a customer cancels an Instacart order?

If an Instacart order was partially or fully shopped but not delivered before it was canceled, Shoppers still get paid a portion of their fee by contacting Shopper Support. Customers are charged a $15 cancellation fee if they wait to cancel until the shopping process has begun.

Because you’ve invested some time in fulfilling the order, you would get paid. It’s only fair.

It’s not your fault that the customer changed their mind. But as of the time of writing, the process of getting paid for canceled orders is not yet automated.

So, you would need to let customer support know what happened and request your earnings. Make sure you took a screenshot of the order — so you could use it as a reference to back up your claim. 

As I hinted at earlier, it’s not the full fee that would be paid.

After all, you’ve only done a part of the work. And, in a lot of cases, the customer may place the order again. It would be picked up by another shopper.

But they would have to pay an extra $15 for canceling the order if they wait too long to cancel.

Dave O got some airtime on Fox News recently as he shopped for the very first delivery in St. Louis on live TV! 🎥 https://t.co/AZMnyD5En0 pic.twitter.com/GaPdA7P9Fy

— Instacart (@Instacart) February 22, 2017

If I haven’t shopped an Instacart order and it gets canceled, do I still get paid?

Instacart full-service Shoppers are not paid if a customer cancels an order after it has been accepted but before any work has been performed by the Shopper. In-store Shoppers are paid an hourly wage without regard to canceled orders.

And customers can cancel with no fees or penalties if they cancel before a Shopper starts shopping.

But as you know, Instacart has two kinds of shoppers: 

• In-store shoppers (part-time employees who just shop and don’t deliver)  
• Full-service shoppers (independent contractors)

In-store shoppers are effectively part-time employees of Instacart. So, they get paid as long as they meet a minimum number of hours and do the work assigned. 

They get paid a fixed hourly wage that varies from location to location. They get paid even if an order is canceled during their shift.

Seeing as you are a full-service shopper, on the other hand, you only get paid when you shop and deliver orders. 

After all, you are an independent contractor — your earning is strictly a function of your performance. There’s no minimum earning to look forward to.

How to cancel an Instacart Express membership if the grocery delivery service no longer fits your needs #website #news https://t.co/pouipnN0Yc pic.twitter.com/nNYAkp5zUb

— Crash Signal (@crash_signal) February 25, 2021

Is there a cancellation window on Instacart orders?

Instacart’s cancellation window is 1- 2 hours before the scheduled delivery time. As long as an order is canceled before shopping starts, there’s no charge to the customer. For cancellations, after shopping has started, they may be charged a $15 cancellation fee.

So, customers can initiate the cancellation process on their own if shopping has not begun. They can use the app or the website. It’s a simple process consisting of about 5 simple steps.

But to cancel an order when shopping or delivery is ongoing, they have to reach out to Instacart Care — they can access them via the Contact Us link at the bottom of articles in the Help Center. 

Having looked at the cancellation window, perhaps we should check out the elephant in the room: 

Is Instacart a good full-time job? 

That’s the theme of a recent article of mine where I shared the average income of Instacart Shoppers when they get paid, whether you can make good money with it, and even how to make the most money with it.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

@Instacart please help…. i need to cancel a order to me continue working pic.twitter.com/mbVBGl30q7

— Patty (@PattyAlejandraL) March 28, 2020

Can customers cancel an Instacart order after checkout?

Instacart customers can cancel an order anytime, including after checkout. If they cancel before the shopping starts, there is no fee to cancel. Once shopping has started but before delivery, there is a $15 cancellation fee. They can cancel by selecting Manage Order on the app.

And of course, if the order has already been delivered, they cannot cancel.

Now, let’s check out an interesting issue all Instacart Shoppers face:

Can you get paid instantly, or would you have to wait for days before you can have access to your money? 

You’re in luck because that’s what I explored in a recent article. 

In it, I shared how long it would take before your earnings show up, how quickly tips get paid, and how you can cash out instantly — I offered a simple step-by-step guide.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Instacart, DoorDash plan to launch credit cards: WSJ https://t.co/wT2IE1bAkX pic.twitter.com/WU2aqInn7V

— Reuters (@Reuters) April 7, 2021

Who pays better, DoorDash or Instacart?

DoorDash pays better than Instacart. The earnings per delivery are not substantially different. But DoorDash has a higher base rate for tips. In fact, it’s 10% higher than Instacart’s. 

CLICK HERE to take a look at everything DoorDash has to offer right on their website.

Both companies have some requirements you’ll have to meet before you can work for them. One of these is the mode of transportation you’ll use to make deliveries. 

If you’re thinking of shopping and delivering for Instacart, you need to have access to a car. You can’t use any other vehicle. This could be a challenge for some folks.

DoorDash, on the other hand, allows you to use a car, bike, scooter, or even walk, depending on your local market. 

So, if you can’t have access to a car and you’re keen to get started, you know you’ve got an option.

Another key issue is the pay. DoorDash pays better, and the base rate for tips is a lot higher. Instacart’s base rate is 5%, while DoorDash’s is 15%. 

So, I’d suggest you get started with DoorDash (later, you could add Instacart, too). DoorDash doesn’t mind shoppers who shop and deliver for more than one food delivery company.

Interesting. But aren’t they the same company? 

It’s funny you should say that because that’s what I explored in a recent article of mine. Are they the same company, or are they owned by the same company? To find out…

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Conclusion 

In the article, we checked out what happens if a customer cancels an Instacart order and whether you would get paid if an order is canceled before you started shopping. 

But we also looked at whether there is a cancellation window. And we explored whether customers can cancel orders after checkout. 

We wrapped things up by looking at who pays better: DoorDash or Instacart?

Ready to make more money than with Instacart? Consider DoorDash!

DoorDash is a great alternative to working for Instacart and generally pays better.

See how much you could be earning. Available in over 4,000 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. All you need is a mode of transportation and a smartphone to start making money.

CLICK HERE to learn more about working for DoorDash!

Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay and Image by Mediamodifier from Pixabay

The Grocery Store Guy, part of the Middle Class Dad family of websites, is reader-supported and when you make a purchase through some of my links, I  may earn a small commission from the sale, which in no way increases the cost to you. Learn more HERE.

Instacart is the leading online grocery delivery platform. But it’s reliant on independent contractors to shop and deliver your order. So, what happens if no one picks up your Instacart order?

When no one picks up an Instacart order to shop and deliver, it is re-assigned to another set of Instacart Shoppers for their consideration. But as independent contractors, all Shoppers are free to accept or reject orders at any time, so it’s always a good idea to select a good tip when placing the order.

But it’s actually pretty rare, at least in larger cities, for absolutely no one to be available.

A little patience could be all that is needed — you may simply have to wait for another delivery window. But if you’re in a hurry, the order is too late, and you’ve offered a substantial tip, you may get in touch with Instacart. There’s a lot more to learn about what happens if no one picks up your order.

So, keep on reading.

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

Does Instacart cancel my order if no Shoppers are available?

Instacart will cancel an order if there are no Shoppers available to shop and deliver within a reasonable window of your specified delivery time. And a refund will be given on any charge made.

Why are no shoppers picking up your order?

It could be because they are very busy and do not have the capacity to add your order to their batch, or your tip is too small. But if the tip is the same as another smaller order, Shoppers will naturally choose that one instead.

But in small towns, it may also just be there aren’t as many Shoppers working as there are customers placing orders.

It’s also quite possible that you’re ordering stuff that shoppers know is out of stock and if your order is big (read: heavy).

You might think that Instacart ought to be able to fulfill all orders.

That would be really nice. But the reality is that its full-service Shoppers (those who shop and deliver) are independent contractors — so they’re free to decide which order to accept and the ones to reject.

Naturally, if no one is picking up the order, Instacart would cancel it after it was made available to other sets of Shoppers.

The best way to increase the odds that your order would be picked up by a Shopper is to offer a generous tip.

Instacart Shoppers are not exactly making out like bandits. Tips represent about half of their earnings — so they’re a great way to incentivize Shoppers.

I ended up calling customer service and found out that my shopper quit in the middle of my order. So my order was cancelled. Why should I have to wait 5-10 days for a refund if you guys cancelled my order? That’s ridiculous pic.twitter.com/OkW1jM38Jm

— Brian Bonner (@Indy92) August 1, 2020

How quickly do I get a refund for a canceled Instacart order?

It may take up to 5 to 10 business days for Instacart to process a refund for a canceled order if seeking a refund to the bank account or credit card account used for the original order. However, a credit on an Instacart account will be available immediately.

To claim a refund, make a request promptly within a 7-day window. If you wait till after this period, you won’t be able to make a claim.

When the refund has been granted, you can receive it as Instacart credits to your Instacart account. The account is credited immediately.

Or you could choose to receive it as a credit to your bank account. Again, this may take up to 2 weeks to process.

Instacart’s CEO says the on-demand grocery delivery startup will no longer decrease the amount it contributes to worker base pay based on the size of their tips. He also said the company will reimburse workers who have been impacted by that practice. https://t.co/zqeE3CkQb8 pic.twitter.com/zRJn2ekikb

— CNN (@CNN) February 6, 2019

Will Instacart try to find another Shopper if no one takes my order at first?

Instacart does seek to find additional Shoppers to shop and deliver an order if no one picks up the order initially. Instacart’s algorithm makes an order available to the highest-rated Shoppers in your area when it is placed. They, in turn, can accept or deny the order.

So, your order is being viewed by more than 1 Shopper at a time on a first-come-first-served basis, and it would be made available to another set of Shoppers if it is not picked up.

And again, since you can specify the tip when you place the order, if it’s a really low tip, or if there are other orders with bigger tips, Shoppers may reject yours if they can make more money on another order.

In some locations, Instacart gets about 50 orders per minute!

It’s definitely not a task that can be handled manually. That’s why the company leverages some of the most sophisticated machine learning algorithms in the industry to help with receiving orders, allocating them, fulfillment, and payments.

Because it only makes money when it fulfills orders and satisfies customers.

So, if no one picks up an order, its algorithm makes your order available again to another set of Shoppers, in some cases to those who have contacted support that they’re not getting enough batches where they are.

But the lower your tip, the longer it might take for someone to shop it. AND, you’re more likely to get a lower-rated Shopper or a newbie if you tip poorly.

This leads to an interesting question: How much should you tip Instacart drivers? After all, Instacart pays them. I devoted a recent article of mine to explore this issue.

In it, I dove deep into whether you should tip them or not, what is the delivery fee for Instacart, how Instacart’s ordering system works, and whether to tip in cash.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Instacart isn’t ready to cede an inch to rival Amazon in the battle to bring groceries to your home. According to Bloomberg, Instacart has raised a fresh round of $200 mil in VC. Funding comes days after reports that Amazon is testing delivery from Whole Foods pic.twitter.com/vQrs99wb1y

— Patent Profiler (@PatentProfiler) February 13, 2018

Why does Instacart keep pushing back my order?

Instacart would only push back an order if no Shoppers were available to shop and deliver it. So rather than let customers assume it was being processed, they push it back until a Shopper is available to complete the order.

But eventually, they would cancel it if a really long time has passed and no Shoppers accepted it.

If it’s not worth a Shopper’s while, or if there are more orders than Shoppers available, and your order was placed last, they won’t pick the order up at first.

Instacart wants to make money, and it can only do that consistently if it’s satisfying its customers.

So, unless there’s a glitch in its software/app, it’s highly unlikely that there would be cases where it would deliberately keep delaying the fulfillment of customer orders. After all, it’s when it is fulfilling them at a fast clip that it can make money hand over fist.

If your order is too small, too big (heavy), has a very low tip, or you’ve ordered something that Shoppers know is often out of stock, it may take some time before a Shopper picks it up.

Shoppers, not Instacart as a company, decide how fast an order gets fulfilled.

I understand it’s not fun waiting and hoping you get what you ordered. Why use an online platform if it’s going to end up taking a lot more time than simply walking into a grocery store near you?

I explored other reasons Instacart is so slow in a recent article.

In it, I showed how to get your orders faster. You’ll also find info on how long Instacart usually takes, how Instacart’s delivery service works, and if you’re given a set delivery time when you place an order.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

@Instacart great customer service #NOT #StoleMyGroceries pic.twitter.com/j2EJ2rQauK

— Audra (@ALeighMitch) January 18, 2020

How do I get in touch with Instacart?

Contact Instacart’s customer service via the app, email to help@instacart.com, or call customer support at 1-888-246-7822.

If you need to speak to someone or have a challenge you want them to solve as soon as possible, it’s best to call. You may have to wait a bit as the customer support representatives may be on other calls. Customers and Shoppers alike can call 1 (888)246-7822 for help.

The line is active 24/7.

In addition to the above, you can reach Instacart through the help section on its website www.instacart.com. Or, again, you may prefer to shoot them an email at help@instacart.com.

But if you don’t have an issue that has to be addressed urgently, it’s best to start with the Help Center.

Read the FAQs and articles — you might realize there’s no need to get in touch with Instacart since there’s info in the Help Center that speaks directly to the challenge you have.

Conclusion

In the article, we checked out whether Instacart cancels your order if no Shoppers are available and how quickly you can get a refund for a canceled order.

But we also looked into whether Instacart finds another Shopper if no one takes your order at first. And, we checked out why Instacart keeps pushing orders back (or, does it?).

We wrapped things up by looking at how to get in touch with Instacart.

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

Yan Krukov from Pexels

The Grocery Store Guy, part of the Middle Class Dad family of websites, is reader-supported and when you make a purchase through some of my links, I  may earn a small commission from the sale, which in no way increases the cost to you. Learn more HERE.

Food delivery apps are all the rage now, and for a good reason. They make food ordering and delivery super-convenient. But, telling them apart can be challenging. You’ve probably wondered, is Doordash and Grubhub the same company?

DoorDash and Grubhub are owned by different companies and have no connection with one another. DoorDash was founded in 2013 by Tony Xu, while Grubhub was founded in 2004 by Matt Maloney.

DoorDash’s market share is 56% and has served 450,000 merchants, while Grubhub’s market share is 18% and has served 300,000 merchants.

Their services are similar. DoorDash is present in all the states in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, while Grubhub is present in 16 states in the U.S. and London.

In this article, we’ll explore how DoorDash differs from Grubhub and which one of them marks up its prices. Then, we’ll look at which company pays better, and we’ll wrap up by finding out who the best delivery service is.

Let’s dive right in…

Ready to order from Grubhub and save money over ordering from DoorDash?

CLICK HERE to get started with Grubhub and save an average of 16% compared to what those same restaurants cost when ordering through DoorDash.

How is DoorDash different from Grubhub?

DoorDash has 450,000 merchants and has a market share of 56%. By comparison, Grubhub has served 300,000 merchants and has a market share of 18%.

Let’s check out other differences.

While using DoorDash, you have to pay a service fee, delivery fee, and tips to the Dashers (this is optional). The service fee is paid to both DoorDash and the restaurant you’re ordering from.

Grubhub, too, expects you to pay a service fee, delivery fee, and tips are also optional. But, it doesn’t require a restaurant service fee; instead, it requires some minimum order amount.

Both apps offer a lot of special promotions. But in this regard, DoorDash doesn’t offer as much as Grubhub.

And, on average, you’ll get greater savings via the latter. For those who would rather use DoorDash, it offers a Cash App debit card.

They both have subscription services.

DoorDash’s subscription service is known as DoorPass. It has a trial period of 30 days, and you get free delivery and reduced service fees on orders above $12. It costs $9.99 per month and can be canceled at any time.

Grubhub’s subscription service is known as Grubhub+. You get free delivery on all your orders. If you’re a giver, you’d also love the fact that your donations to No Kid Hungry will be matched.

You also get additional benefits such as access to special menus, elite care, and events.

Both apps are available on Android and iOS, but DoorDash has a better user interface. It’s more neatly arranged and easier to navigate. Grubhub’s UI/UX needs more time before you really get it.

GrubHub stock soars 13% amid news of possible sale https://t.co/nazQgbqXXP By @skleb1234 pic.twitter.com/hHShQvvWSu

— Forbes Tech (@ForbesTech) January 9, 2020

Does DoorDash markup prices from restaurants?

DoorDash does mark up the prices from restaurants by an average of 32.8%. But the rate of the markup is not uniform and is less than that in some cases.

So just like Instacart, DoorDash and other delivery services do mark up products to help cover costs.

It has thousands of dashers that are relatively well-paid and, of course, its administrative staff, too. On average, the markups can be a bit steep. At times, they can be up to 20% or more.

As I mentioned above, an informal study conducted by techcrunch.com shows that DoorDash marks up the restaurant’s prices by an average of 32.8%.

But, this is not the only reason why the total cost of a meal could be high. It’s because restaurants at times charge higher prices for orders made via apps.

DoorDash soars 85% in Wall Street IPO debut @CNN @DoorDash #fooddelivery #pandemictrends #IPO https://t.co/ziq9qU5HEG pic.twitter.com/87m2cIiXSv

— Amy D. Love CMO @Pavilion.io (@amydlove) December 12, 2020

Does Grubhub markup prices from restaurants?

Grubhub does mark up the prices from restaurants, by an average of 17% which is almost 16% less than DoorDash’s markup.

Again, as with DoorDash, marking up prices is a business model that all food ordering and delivery apps use. Without the markup, they cannot survive or make a profit. After all, Grubhub incurs expenses in having the software infrastructure that powers its apps and its team of delivery people.

Again, as mentioned, an informal study conducted by techcrunch.com shows that Grubhub marks up the restaurant’s prices by an average of 17%. In the study, Grubhub’s (Seamless) markup is indeed the lowest.

Just as in the case of DoorDash, this is not the only reason why the total cost of a meal could be high. It’s because restaurants at times charge higher prices for orders made via apps.

Why does Instacart charge more?

In a recent article of mine, I explained that it does not always charge more. It’s when a customer is buying from a store with whom it doesn’t have a partnership that it charges a bit extra. Check out the article to get the full scoop.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Ready to order from Grubhub and save money over ordering from DoorDash?

CLICK HERE to get started with Grubhub and save an average of 16% compared to what those same restaurants cost when ordering through DoorDash.

FOX BIZ NEWS: GrubHub on Uber takeover rumors: ‘Consolidation could make sense’ pic.twitter.com/Z5pp6kxr0c

— Munna A (@beeplusmind) May 12, 2020

Who pays better: Grubhub or DoorDash?

Grubhub pays more than DoorDash. With DoorDash, drivers earn $2.00 to $10 per delivery based on distance. With Grubhub, drivers earn an average of $12.00 per hour. Additionally, Grubhub not only pays drivers based on miles but also the time in traffic when short distances take longer.

And with both companies, delivery personnel are independent contractors and not employees. But while some would tell you they make more from Grubhub, others swear by DoorDash.

Let’s look at their pay model.

Grubhub pay structure

Grubhub pays for mileage (pick-up and drop-off), the time for driving and waiting, and 100% of the tips.

DoorDash pay structure

DoorDash’s pay model is the total of the base pay + promotions + tips. Base pay is a combination of time, distance, and earnings. It ranges from $2-$10. Promotions include Peak Pay, Challenges, and Drive.

Peak pay is earned for delivery during busy hours. It ranges from $1-$14. You can earn from Challenges when you deliver a set number of orders within a set period. Earnings related to Drive are not common. It’s paid for large orders.

So sometimes, it is possible for DoorDash drivers to earn an average of up to $15 per hour, while Grubhub drivers get $13.

Is Instacart and DoorDash the same company?

No. Instacart was founded by a former Amazon employee Apoorva Mehta, while DoorDash was founded by Tony Xu, Andy Fang, and Stanley Tang. Check out a recent article of mine where I share a lot more.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Delivery Startup DoorDash to Seek Up to $2.8 Billion in IPO https://t.co/C4129eISVW Bloomberg – via @retailwire #retail @doordash pic.twitter.com/CiBDZzSBP5

— RetailWire.com (@retailwire) November 30, 2020

Who is the best food delivery service?

DoorDash is the best food delivery service. This is reflected in the fact that its market share is 56% and growing. It’s present in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. It has 20 million consumers, serves 450,000 merchants, and has 1 million delivery people. 

It had its IPO in December 2020.

One of the “secrets’’ of DoorDash’s growth and dominance, even though it’s not even up to a decade since it started in the competitive food delivery sector, is its technology stack.

It leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to be able to coordinate and optimize the millions of deliveries that have to be made in such a way that it satisfies merchants, dashers, and consumers all at the same time.

Both are used to model the decision space and ensure that optimal decisions are made in seconds.

It also has a simple, intuitive, and beautiful user interface, which makes it easy for users of its services to get what they want, and it tends to be cheaper on small orders.

Does DoorDash deliver alcohol?

Yes, it does. But, some restaurants do not allow it, while others may require a food purchase. In a recent article of mine, I offered the full story.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Conclusion

In the article, we checked out DoorDash and Grubhub.

We learned that they are not the same company. They were founded by different people and at different times. In fact, about a decade apart!  We found out that both mark up their prices and that DoorDash pays better. But while Instacart says no to Shoppers having others in their car while working, DoorDash allows passengers.

And we concluded by finding out which is the best food delivery company in the country.

Ready to order from Grubhub and save money over ordering from DoorDash?

CLICK HERE to get started with Grubhub and save an average of 16% compared to what those same restaurants cost when ordering through DoorDash.

Photos that require attribution:

Grubhub. Businessman is carrying a stack of 3 file folders on blue background by Jernej Furman and A Street Scene on Granville Street, Downtown, Vancouver during coronavirus pandemic by GoToVan are licensed under CC2.0 and were cropped, edited, merged, and had a text overlay added.

It’s heartwarming when you get exceptional service from an Instacart Shopper. And, it’s only natural that you’d like to repeat the experience. So, how do you get the same Shopper on Instacart?

It is not possible to get the same Shopper on Instacart except by chance. Shoppers are independent contractors who decide when and when not to work. And orders are prioritized to the top-rated Shoppers, so the likelihood of working and being available when a specific order comes in is low.

It’s also possible that they could be engaged with other deliveries when you place your order.

I totally get why you’d like the same shopper.

But, it’s not feasible or optimal for the shopper or Instacart. Instacart has about 10 million customers and is focused on providing fast, quality services.

So, delivering your order fast is the goal. In this article, we’ll explore issues around how feasible it is to get the same shopper on Instacart.

Let’s dive right in…

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

Can I tell Instacart if I don’t want a certain Shopper?

As of the time of writing, there’s no way to tell Instacart you don’t want a certain Shopper. It’s the same reason why it is not possible to have a favorite Shopper. This is because Instacart’s system for assigning batches to shoppers is automated.

There’s no manual matching of Shoppers to customers.

That will be a highly inefficient system if you think about it. Instacart has about 10 million customers. The provision of fast, quality services is the priority, especially since all shoppers are trained to provide such services.

To a large extent, the assignment system is random and automated and does not use previous interactions between you and a shopper as a basis for future assignments. To do that would be inefficient.

The system allows shoppers to choose orders shown to them, and because it’s random, it’s possible you may not interact with the shopper you don’t want again.

There’s the possibility that they would still be offered your order. It doesn’t mean that they would be assigned your order.

Shoppers are independent contractors whose schedules could and do change.

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

Selecting chard can take some skill but makes for happy customers! Here’s some solid tips: https://t.co/PDCzFC8Ow8 pic.twitter.com/jiAiHWAl0E

— Instacart Shoppers (@instashoppers) January 26, 2016

Can Instacart Shoppers choose orders?

Instacart Shoppers can choose which orders to take or not take. The app displays open orders to Shoppers, and they can choose which orders they want to fulfill. And often, the orders with the largest tips get selected first.

The orders that they can see and consequently choose from are determined by Instacart’s rating system. Shoppers who have high ratings get to see more orders and more high-value orders with better payouts. The converse is also true.

Those with low ratings see fewer orders.

It’s not that they are being penalized. It’s simply a performance-driven system. It’s fair because shoppers “reap what they sow.”

For shoppers, the ability to choose orders is one of the most attractive and compelling features of Instacart. Because they are independent contractors, they need that freedom to earn something a bit worthwhile.

Mind you, it’s not as if they’re making a fortune. But the ability to choose means that they can choose orders that “makes sense.”

So, should you tip Instacart drivers? That’s what I explored in a recent article of mine where I said to always tip them.

Instacart suggests 5%, which is low, considering how vital delivery workers are to our lives and the fact that tips constitute a considerable chunk of their income.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Attaching some pins to your lanyard is just one way to add a little extra flair ✨ pic.twitter.com/SnyULfFw03

— Instacart Shoppers (@instashoppers) January 28, 2016

What happens when you complain about an Instacart Shopper?

Shoppers get notified about complaints or low ratings via the app. For “order issues,” they would be given enough details to know what triggered the complaint and from those details, they may or may not be able to ascertain the actual customer who complained.

But they aren’t reprimanded or fired over 1 complaint.

But, if they consistently get low ratings, it would affect their ability to get orders to deliver and may even lead to being deactivated from the platform if enough bad reviews came in.

Of course, if some of your items are missing, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Instacart’s customer support.

You will get a refund. And, don’t assume that the shopper would be punished if you complained about something you’re not happy with.

You’ll be helping them improve.

Because even though they may not know who complained, if they are getting a lot of complaints when they check “order issues,” it’s a sign that if they are not careful and are also getting low ratings, they’re on their way out!

Our HQ employees in SF also pick up shifts as shoppers to try out the Shopper app & make deliveries to customers too pic.twitter.com/sxMJV9ih6N

— Instacart Shoppers (@instashoppers) March 15, 2016

Can I hire my favorite Instacart Shopper on the side?

You can hire an Instacart Shopper directly for services, but they would not be operating under Instacart’s system, and any payment, issues, or liability would be strictly between you and the Shopper.

If you were able to convince a shopper to shop for you on the side, that would be an arrangement between you and the Shopper for which you are wholly liable. Instacart is not involved at all.

It’s akin to having an arrangement with a total stranger.

I cannot speak for any Instacart shopper. Perhaps, you would meet someone who would agree to be “your shopper.” It’s not impossible. My point is that you can’t use Instacart’s platform for that arrangement, and you’re no longer protected by Instacart.

You can’t contact Instacart when or if you have issues with the Shopper. After all, it’s something you arranged outside the framework established by Instacart.

And if they got into a car accident while working for you, it’s possible the liability could fall to you. So if you must go this route, a written agreement spelling out everything is your best bet.

No matter how exceptional a shopper is, it’s not something I’d advise. It’s better to always keep things professional.

Many NYC shoppers help pick up groceries that are donated each week to local families in need. #domore pic.twitter.com/FF46Um8kg1

— Instacart Shoppers (@instashoppers) March 8, 2016

What do Instacart customers see about the Shopper?

Instacart customers can see the Shoppers’ photo when they joined Instacart, name, speed metrics when a shopper starts shopping, where a shopper is currently located, and similar information.

Virtually all the info about the Shopper and their actions can be seen. The aim is to keep customers “in the loop”.

This access to shopper details is not so that customers can spy on shoppers. No. It’s critical to the proper functioning of the system, apart from knowing essential info about the Shopper, such as their name, picture, and when they started working with Instacart.

The Instacart app also provides notifications so that you can be updated about what your Shopper is doing. You’ll know when they start shopping, when they end, and when they’re on their way to deliver your order.

They may let you know that a certain item is out of stock, for example, because you have access to them. You can decide on what they should do in real-time.

Can shoppers rate you?

As of the time of writing, Instacart shoppers cannot rate customers. But, you can rate them. In a recent article of mine, I shared more details about this theme. I explained that they get to choose what orders they want to deliver. They are not compelled to deliver any order.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Conclusion

We looked at several issues around how do you get the same Shopper on Instacart.

We considered if you can tell Instacart you don’t want a certain shopper, we looked at whether Instacart shoppers choose orders and what happens when you complain about shoppers.

You can’t choose a shopper, but shoppers can choose orders they want to deliver. And, complaints are not necessarily harmful to shoppers.

We also looked at whether it’s possible to hire your fave Instacart shopper on the side. We wrapped things up by checking out what Instacart customers see about shoppers.

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

The Grocery Store Guy, part of the Middle Class Dad family of websites, is reader-supported and when you make a purchase through some of my links, I  may earn a small commission from the sale, which in no way increases the cost to you. Learn more HERE.

To make the most you can as a DoorDash Dasher, you need high ratings from customers. But while it’s easy for customers to rate drivers, can DoorDash drivers rate customers?

As of the time of writing, DoorDash drivers cannot rate customers. Only customers can rate the drivers. Dashers can only provide feedback about the delivery, for example, what went well about it. They cannot provide feedback about a specific customer.

In this article, we’ll explore what a Dasher can do if they get a rude customer, whether they can refuse to deliver if they know the customer is rude, and if they can see tips before deliveries are made.

We’ll also compare Instacart’s customers to DoorDash’s to find out which are nicer. And, we’ll call it a day by considering whether dashers (DoorDash’s drivers) can rate restaurants.

Let’s dive right in…

Ready to get started working for DoorDash?

DoorDash is a great alternative to working for Instacart, and generally speaking, they pay better!

See how much you could be earning. Available in over 4,000 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. All you need is a mode of transportation and a smartphone to start making money.

CLICK HERE to learn more about working for DoorDash!

What can a Dasher do if they get a rude customer?

Dashers are not expected to put up with rude customers. Dashers can choose to not deliver the order, but in most cases, the rudeness would be at the time of delivery, in which case contacting Dasher support after the fact is the best option.

But of course, never retaliate or get into an altercation with a customer. Chances are, that would end your contract with DoorDash.

Having said that, each situation is different. So, the devil is in the details. A Dasher would have to use their good judgment to decide if the rudeness is mild or serious.

If it’s mild, they could go ahead and be professional about the delivery without having to suck up. They could deliver and leave. And let DoorDash support know what happened. It’s possible that it’s not the first time the customer is doing it.

It’s good to still report to customer support that you don’t “feel safe” delivering to the rude customer. Perhaps citing a previous incident.

The vital thing, as I hinted at above, is actually to use your discretion.

At times, it’s okay to simply ignore rudeness. There are cases where a rude person feels embarrassed when they meet someone who’s not retaliating.

Someone who’s showing they’re mature. And, there are times when you’ve got to stick to your guns by not encouraging such behavior. After all, you’re an independent contractor.

@DoorDash_Help just want to report this very rude customer that I feel is threatening me bc at first I thought the restaurant forgot ketchup but then I noticed he actually texted me after I had already left the restaurant. I would have got the ketchup if i got the text earlier pic.twitter.com/SJ4zmMLQNV

— TheRnningLlama (@TheRnningLlama) October 15, 2020

Can a Dasher refuse to deliver orders if they know the customer is rude?

Dashers can refuse to deliver DoorDash orders if they know the customer is rude. Dashers decide what orders to accept or what to decline, and they can also cancel orders.

When an order is declined for whatever reason, it would be offered to another dasher. So, the customer would still be served.

The vital thing to note is that Dashers are not employees. They are independent contractors. So, they decide when not to work. Dashers can even have people in the car with them on deliveries. If a customer is rude, they are free to refuse to deliver to them.

Of course, it’s a loss in earnings because they won’t be paid. 

But, that’s a cost some people are more than willing to bear. Truth be told, it’s not as if the pay per delivery is fantastic because dashers are using their cars and have to bear the cost of gas and maintenance, and also pay taxes.

A dasher may refuse because they don’t see the point in being insulted on a delivery that’s not offering them big bucks.

I want to say thank you to this kind lady right here. She personally tipped me $10 because I’ve been dealing with extremely rude customers and door dash drivers for weeks now. She saw first hand what I go through and this really means a lot to me😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/xE075ES5ny

— Rey| The Revolution Is Now!! (@kaidasrey) May 30, 2020

Can DoorDash drivers see your tip before the delivery?

DoorDash drivers can see the tip before accepting the order. However, customers can edit the tip later for extra good or less than satisfactory service. So what Dashers see upfront is not necessarily final.

Doordash pays a base pay to drivers.

So, when the amount shown on the app is above the base pay, it’s easy to infer that the difference is the tip if you offered a tip upfront. But, if you don’t, they’ll only see the base pay and naturally won’t know that you plan to offer a tip after delivery.

Of course, you’re free not to disclose the tip you want to pay upfront.

Though that might mean that your order won’t get many takers, as it were. If you’d prefer to indicate and pay the tip later, most Dashers would prefer something a bit substantial and that you pay it in cash. After all, they’re not exactly making money hand over fist.

So tipping beforehand is the way to go if you want your order to be quickly picked up and delivered.

Who pays better: DoorDash or Instacart?

In a recent article of mine, I showed that DoorDash pays better. Their base rate is similar. But, DoorDash’s base rate for tips is higher. And, tips represent about 50% of delivery drivers’ earnings.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

After like 8 months i am now over 1500 deliveries for doordash. And i can say i have only had 1 rude customer. pic.twitter.com/PPOx6QYnNT

— FeaRz (@KryPtiC_FeaRz) October 5, 2020

Are DoorDash customers nicer than Instacart customers?

DoorDash customers would not be any nicer than Instacart customers, given that there is considerable overlap in the customer base between the two. So many customers of one platform also use the other.

A CEO of a top delivery app once described customers as promiscuous. In other words, many customers use several apps, and they are not loyal to one.

The implication is that it is difficult to separate DoorDash’s customers as a distinct group from Instacart’s because the person who used the former to get alcohol, for example, might be the same person using Instacart to order groceries.

And even if it were possible to separate the customers, it’s difficult, in the absence of data, to conclude that one company’s customers are nicer.

Is Instacart and DoorDash the same company?

No. Instacart was founded by a former Amazon employee Apoorva Mehta, while DoorDash was founded by Tony Xu, Andy Fang, and Stanley Tang. Check out a recent article of mine where I share a lot more.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

The top most rate rates the dasher. The bottom one rates the restaurant. pic.twitter.com/tiUmWWHXzo

— Ben Mikell (@BenMikell_FW) March 13, 2020

Can Dashers rate restaurants?

As of the time of writing, Dashers cannot rate restaurants. However, restaurants can rate Dashers. DoorDash has a process for ensuring that Dashers are rated by restaurants — a mechanism for merchant feedback and for improving Dasher professionalism. 

If it were considered vital, DoorDash would have instituted a process that also allows Dashers to rate restaurants. But it’s not critical. What’s vital is customer satisfaction.

That’s why DoorDash places a premium on feedback/ratings provided by customers and not by Dashers. Customers can rate Dashers and restaurants, but Dashers can’t rate customers or restaurants.

What about Instacart shoppers? Can they rate customers? 

This is the theme of a recent article of mine where I explained that as of the time of writing, Instacart has no official system for shoppers to rate customers. But, they get to choose which orders to accept or decline.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Conclusion 

In the article, we checked out whether dashers can rate customers.

We learned that they can refuse orders from rude customers because they are not compelled to accept all orders, and they’re independent contractors.

We found out that Dashers can see the tips if customers show them beforehand, and we learned that it would be difficult to say which company has nicer customers because there’s considerable overlap in their customer base and there’s no data to determine the fact of the matter.

We concluded by finding out if Dashers can rate restaurants.

Ready to get started working for DoorDash?

DoorDash is a great alternative to working for Instacart, and generally speaking, they pay better!

See how much you could be earning. Available in over 4,000 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. All you need is a mode of transportation and a smartphone to start making money.

CLICK HERE to learn more about working for DoorDash!

Instacart and DoorDash are two of the most popular food delivery companies. Since it’s natural to want to earn as much as possible, many workers of the so-called GIG economy have wondered who pays more Instacart or DoorDash?

DoorDash pays more than Instacart. Though the average earning per hour for both is similar, DoorDash’s base rate for tips is higher, and this is what constitutes about 50% of shopper earnings.

Because it’s an independent contractor position, what you’ll earn depends on how hard you work and the quality of the service you’re providing.

There’s no guaranteed income because you won’t be an employee.

So, if you’re offering excellent service, you’ll probably earn a lot of tips, which could translate to earning what’d make you happy.

In this article, we’ll explore which company pays better, which is rated the better one to work for, how you can earn $200 a day with DoorDash, and even the best food delivery company that pays the most.

Let’s dive right in…

Ready to get started as a Shopper with Instacart?

Just CLICK HERE to sign up now right on their website.

Should I work for DoorDash or Instacart?

DoorDash has two major advantages over Instacart for workers. The potential earnings with DoorDash are better, and Shoppers do not need a car before they can start working, as the company allows other modes of transportation.

So for many, DoorDash is a better choice.

Both companies have some requirements you’ll have to meet before you can work for them. One of these is the mode of transportation you’ll use to make deliveries.

If you’re thinking of shopping and delivering for Instacart, you need to have access to a car. You can’t use any other vehicle. This could be a challenge for some folks.

DoorDash, on the other hand, allows you to use a car, bike, scooter, or even walk, depending on your local market. So, if you can’t have access to a car and you’re keen to get started, you know you’ve got an option.

Another key issue is the pay.

DoorDash pays better, and the base rate for tips is a lot higher. Instacart’s base rate is 5%, while DoorDash’s is 15%. So, I suggest you get started with DoorDash (later, you could add Instacart, too). DoorDash doesn’t mind shoppers who shop and deliver for more than one food delivery company.

Finally, there are the reviews and scores on the employment site Glass Door.

On Glass Door, Instacart has a 3.6 rating with a 66% approval rating for the CEO. By comparison, on Glass Door, DoorDash rates a 4.0 with an 87% approval rating.

Interesting. But are they the same company?

It’s funny you should say that because that’s what I explored in a recent article. Are they the same company, or are they owned by the same company? To find out…

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Minnesota Moms Earn Flexible Pay with @Shipt #ad https://t.co/Kq2U9XifvF pic.twitter.com/Tat9YsvaM8

— Ali Kirby (@themamareport) February 13, 2018

What food delivery service pays the most?

Shipt is the food delivery service that pays the most. The average earning for delivery drivers is $65,213 per year. The company offers financial aid in some locations and an option for instant pay. Ubereats comes second at $62,339.

(source)

Shipt is a food delivery service that is owned by Target.

Shoppers deliver groceries in the areas covered by Shipt. Shoppers are independent contractors who earn an average of $22 per hour.

Of course, what you’ll end up earning could be lower than or higher than the $65,213 I mentioned above.

You’ll be your boss and can work when you want. You’ll have to file your tax returns and pay for gas, repairs, and maintenance for your car.

It is a partner to many stores, and its shoppers can buy from these stores in the areas they want to work from.

The stores include:

• HEB
• Meijer
• Target
• Winn Dixie
• Costco
• Lowes Foods
• Piggly Wiggly
• ABC Fine Wine & Spirits
• CVS
• Office Depot
• Petco
• Publix
• Safeway

and many more.

You’ll need to meet some basic requirements before you can become a shopper for Shipt.

They are:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have access to reliable transportation (the car year of 1997 or newer) and car insurance coverage
• Have a current U.S. driver’s license
• Know about hand-picking fresh produce
• Provide your insulated cooler bag
• Be able to lift 25+ pounds
• Be familiar with using an Android or iPhone

Is it risky being a delivery driver, and would you be allowed to pack a gun?

That’s the subject of a recent article of mine. In it, I shared the truth about whether you can carry a gun or not while making deliveries and which companies have policies against it (hint: not all do).

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Bad Pay, Long Hours, and a Little Hope: How Instacart Shoppers Feel About Their Jobs Right Now https://t.co/1s3Gz4vKLW pic.twitter.com/1dfLiTh7bb

— The Kitchn (@thekitchn) April 4, 2020

Can you make $500 a week with Instacart?

It is possible to make $500 a week with Instacart. And some Shoppers make much more. Instacart once claimed that its shoppers could earn an average of $25 per order. Therefore, 4 or 5 orders each day would be adequate to achieve the projected earnings of $500 per week.

Say you’re providing excellent service as you deliver each order.

Customers would most likely give you high ratings, which would prompt the Instacart algorithm to offer you higher-value orders. From those orders, you’ll most likely even earn more than the average $25 per order because such orders would often come with generous tips.

You’ll only need 4 or 5 of such orders each day, and you’re golden.

At $500 per week, you’ll gross $24,000 per year. Now, consider a survey by indeed.com, which shows that the average earnings by Instacart shoppers are $48,219 per year.

That’s twice the projected earnings at $500 per week. So, you can make $500 a week and even more.

You just have to ensure you get good ratings all the time because customer ratings are the most vital variable the Instacart algorithm uses for allocating high-value orders.

Ready to make more money than with Instacart or Shipt? Consider DoorDash!

DoorDash is a great alternative to working for Instacart, and generally speaking, they pay better!

See how much you could be earning. Available in over 4,000 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. All you need is a mode of transportation and a smartphone to start making money.

CLICK HERE to learn more about working for DoorDash!

“DoorDash makes ‘no contact’ deliveries the automatic setting, waives fees” via FOX NEWS https://t.co/MSSPXWBHCU pic.twitter.com/mv49gZnasb

— Kelly Mansell (@KellyMansellLgn) March 17, 2020

Can you make 200 a day with DoorDash?

It is possible to make $200 a day with DoorDash, which translates to about $48,000 per year. The average earnings by DoorDashers are $45,555, which is close to the rate at $200 per day. Some Dashers can earn that in just 6 hours of work.

Therefore $200 a day is a realistic figure to aim for.

The reality of being an independent contractor is that one could make, say, $300 and on some days maybe half of that. Earnings are based on performance and may also depend on the location.

In some locations, you can access orders 24/7, while in some, it’s only from 8 am to 10 pm.

If it’s feasible, you may want to be in a place where you’ll get orders 24/7. But, even when you don’t, you’ll get access to an average of about 10 orders per day.

The most vital thing is simple (not necessarily easy): make sure you offer excellent service to all customers so that you’ll have high scores. The best orders are offered to dashers with high scores.

Based on DoorDash’s figures, you can earn $15-$20 an hour.

This is a realistic figure if you work hard, and it excludes tips, which means you can earn more. And truth be told, DoorDash’s base rate for tips isn’t shabby at all. 15%.

So, you make $200 a day.

But can you make a full-time income with Instacart?

That’s the theme of a recent article of mine, where I showed that while you can work anytime you want, the pay is not exactly a fortune.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Instacart has a problem with third-party apps letting shoppers pay for early access to orders https://t.co/50Ik1uHxiN by @meganrosedickey pic.twitter.com/Foc3caM4gX

— TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) April 24, 2020

Who is better rated to work for, Instacart or DoorDash?

In reviews, DoorDash has a 26% better overall rating from current and former employees compared to Instacart.

DoorDash is rated better, according to both Glass Door and Indeed.

Glassdoor’s review looked at 8 criteria, and DoorDash scored higher in all. Indeed looked at 6 factors, and DoorDash scored higher in all. This shows an interesting consistency which gives the surveys some weight.

The following are the factors both companies used for the reviews:

• Career opportunities
• Compensation and benefits
• Work/ Life balance
• Senior management
• Culture and values
• CEO approval
• Willingness to recommend 
• Positive business outlook
• Job security and advancement

I bet you’d like to know how quickly you can get paid, right?

That’s the subject of a recent article of mine, where I showed how fast you can get paid if you opt for Instacart. They do technically offer instant cash out, but it isn’t always instant, especially in the case of tips.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Conclusion

We looked at who pays better: Instacart or DoorDash. In the article, I also advised on which food delivery company to work for.

I shared info on which one pays the most. And, we looked at how feasible it is to make $500 a week from Instacart and $200 a day from DoorDash.

Lastly, we looked at which one is rated better and why that is. It turns out DoorDash pays better and is also rated better as a place to work. And unlike Instacart, DoorDash allows you to have passengers in your car while working.

Ready to get started as a Shopper with Instacart?

Just CLICK HERE to sign up now right on their website.

The Grocery Store Guy, part of the Middle Class Dad family of websites, is reader-supported and when you make a purchase through some of my links, I  may earn a small commission from the sale, which in no way increases the cost to you. Learn more HERE.

Instacart has two types of employees and so sometimes it’s hard to know if the person handing you your groceries is also the person who shopped for them. So are Instacart Shoppers also the drivers?

In the majority of cases, Instacart Shoppers are also the drivers. They are called Full-Service Shoppers because they shop and deliver. However, Instacart employs some in-store Shoppers who do not deliver and simply shop for the items ordered, primarily for pick-up orders.

So in most cases, the Shopper is also the driver.

In this scenario, they’ve handled all aspects of fulfilling your order, and they deserve the tips. But in times when there are a lot of delivery orders and not a lot of pickup orders, the in-store Shopper might shop for an order that someone else delivers.

In this article, we’ll explore issues around the type of Instacart shoppers, tips, and if you could request a specific person to handle your orders.

Let’s get to it…

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

Do Instacart drivers have to shop?

As a general rule, Instacart drivers also shop for the groceries prior to doing the delivery. They are called Full-Service Shoppers because they handle a customer’s order from start to finish. However, there are also dedicated In-Store shoppers who only shop and do not handle delivery.

Instacart has two types of shoppers: Full-Service Shoppers and In-Store Shoppers.

The first type of shoppers, as their name suggests, provide “full service.” That’s to say that they’re the same people that’ll visit a grocery store, carefully select all that makes up your order, pack it up, pay, and then drive to your doorstep to deliver it.

So, in this case, the drivers have to shop.

These are also independent contractors and not employees. They choose when they work and how much and can decline orders in the event the tip is too low.

But in the case of In-Store shoppers, shoppers don’t have to drive.

These people are actual part-time employees of Instacart. In-store shoppers work in a grocery store. They also select, pack, and pay for the order. And as I said above, most of the time, they are focused on orders for pick-up, not delivery.

But there may be times they do the shopping for someone else’s delivery.

So, in these types of order handling, both types of shoppers are involved. If it’s an order requiring a curbside pick up, however, the In-Store shoppers handle everything.

You’ve probably wondered if these shoppers could rate you, right?

In a recent article of mine, I explained that as of the time of writing, there’s no formal way for shoppers to rate customers. However, if you pull a “Karen” and are rude to the Instacart delivery person, there is a way they can blacklist you.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Instacart’s new pay change is making some workers feel like second-class citizens https://t.co/V4xODG9ctd pic.twitter.com/Zv4DF8Tr5R #BBC #N…

— Pony View (@PonyViewdotcom) March 11, 2016

Do Instacart tips go to the driver or the Shopper?

Instacart tips go to the driver, who, in most cases, is also the Shopper. They are called Full-Service shoppers because they shop and deliver. They do not have a set salary and are paid per delivery. These Shopper-drivers receive the tips, while the in-Store shoppers are paid hourly. They do not receive tips.

You might think that you’d rather tip the shopper and not the delivery person. I get it.

But consider that In-store shoppers are paid per hour and spend their shift in a grocery store selecting, packing, and paying for orders.

And for this, they receive a guaranteed earning (per hour worked).

In most cases, however, there’s just the Full-Service shopper who does what the In-Store shopper does and, in addition to that, goes on to deliver the order.

And yet, they do not have guaranteed income.

They are paid per delivery. It’s only fair that they get to keep the tips. Tips constitute about 50% of their earnings. Tips go to the delivery person and can even be in cash.

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

Instacart, Door Dash, Amazon Flex: new bill combats apps accused of “tip theft” https://t.co/5AxngLQ6fT #news #viral #foxnews #breakingnews pic.twitter.com/nIgmmgDOSO

— Buying back my time (@stanmartin23) April 24, 2019

How much should I tip my Instacart delivery driver?

Instacart recommends a minimum tip of at least 5% of the value of the order or at least $2.00 for small orders. For a $100 grocery order, the minimum tip would be $5.00. However, in most cases, a tip of 10-20% is more appropriate for the service performed.

And a much larger tip will be appropriate anytime the Shopper performs any extra service.

Service industry tips are usually about 15% and above. This is a better figure to aim for. Of course, it is largely a function of the quality of service rendered by the delivery driver.

Truth be told, Instacart shoppers are not exactly making out like bandits.

Their average annual income is just about $28,000. Not money one would sneeze at, but it’s not exactly a fortune if you ask me.

The delivery drivers are not guaranteed orders each day which implies that they do not have guaranteed income.

They select orders to fulfill from a pool that’s also available to many other shoppers. This is why the tips we pay them are very important, and as I said before, it makes up about 50% of their earnings.

I suggest you tip them something in the region of 15% to 20%. It’s not just because that’s how we roll as Americans.

But, tips are a token of appreciation of the service the shoppers provide. It’s an incentive that’d make it sustainable.

I devoted a recent article of mine to explore whether we should tip Instacart shoppers, how much, and when to tip beyond the recommended minimums.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

FaceTime with the Content Guy, Who Says Something Nice About Instacart… Watch here now: https://t.co/C3vumr8Eup#morningnewsbeat #mnb #news #grocery #retial #cpg pic.twitter.com/CzTplvsCH6

— Morning News Beat (@MorningNewsBeat) October 16, 2020

Can a customer request a specific Instacart Shopper or driver?

A customer cannot request a specific Instacart Shopper or driver. The assignment of orders is done through Instacart’s algorithm that selects Shoppers based on proximity, availability, and prioritizes top-rated Shoppers above lower-rated ones.

But Instacart Shoppers can say yes or no if they see your order come through to them.

And, of course, while it’s not a guarantee of anything, make sure to give top ratings to the Shoppers who deliver on-time, well-packed groceries.

The better their ratings the more orders they get, and that next one could be yours!

It’s conceivable that in time, Instacart could tweak its algorithm to allow customers to choose shoppers or drivers they prefer.

But as of the time of writing, there’s no such feature in its app and no announcement that it’s a feature we should expect.

And the AI involved in their app would have to get a whole lot more sophisticated in order to make that happen. Plus, since Shoppers have the right to decline your order, I’m not sure how they could guarantee a specific person for your order.

And it might make its platform less fair. It’d support a situation where some shoppers are being favored!

All the shoppers and drivers have been trained and are expected to be able to render excellent service. So, there is no need to specifically request some of them.

You’ve probably wondered if a shopper could help bring your groceries inside the house.

That’s the subject of a recent article of mine where I explained that that is not a part of the terms of their contract. They’re expected to deliver your order to your doorstep. But there are a few circumstances where the Shopper can decide to come inside.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

How to sign up for Instacart to earn extra money as a full-service or in-store shopper #website #news https://t.co/Vsy0F99xh4 pic.twitter.com/Oszmz81yYH

— Crash Signal (@crash_signal) February 25, 2021

Do some stores use an employee to shop for Instacart orders?

Some grocery stores do use their employees to shop for Instacart orders, but most stores still use Instacart’s Shoppers to shop for orders, so they don’t have to pay their own employees to do it.

The former stores still use Instacart’s technology through which their customers can place orders, but their employees, rather than Instacart’s, do the shopping.

Instacart’s In-store shoppers are part-time employees, and they shop for orders, and in cases where customers prefer curbside pick-ups, they handle it.

But since last year, some stores that Instacart has a partnership with have decided they’d rather have their employees handle the shopping and curbside pick-up part.

And then simply use Instacart’s Full-Service shoppers to handle the delivery.

Aldi and Sprouts are two of the stores where this change has been implemented. Unfortunately, this led to some Instacart In-store shoppers losing their jobs.

At a point, many were complaining about Instacart being slow. I explained the reason in a recent article of mine. But there’s 1 thing all customers can do to speed up the process and pretty much eliminate delays.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Conclusion

Shoppers or drivers? Or both? It can be a tad confusing.

In this article, we learned about the differences between the two types of shoppers who work for Instacart. In some cases, in fact, in most cases, the shopper is also the driver.

They are known as Full-Service shoppers because they shop and deliver. But some shoppers do not deliver. We learned that it’s ideal to tip the delivery person and got to know why.

We even learned about the “ideal” rate for our tips.

It turns out that you cannot request that a specific shopper handles your order. We also learned why that might not be a great idea.

And, we concluded by learning that some stores prefer their employees do the in-store shopping.

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

Working for Instacart as an in-store shopper or full-service shopper is a cool way to make money either as a full-time gig or a side hustle. But what if you want some help or just have someone along? Can someone ride with you while doing Instacart?

It is against Instacart’s terms of service for a Shopper to have other people with them while doing their job. One person applied for the job, had their background checked, was engaged, and received training on how to get the job done. Thus, no one else can ride with you while you are working for Instacart.

To violate any of Instacart’s regulations is a surefire way to get fired. But how would they know? And what if the other person also works for Instacart?

Read on to get the lowdown on whether it’s okay to have someone ride with you while doing Instacart.  

Ready to get started as a Shopper with Instacart?

Just CLICK HERE to sign up now right on their website.

Can I do Instacart with my husband?

One cannot drive for Instacart with one’s husband unless the husband is also an Instacart employee. It is against Instacart regulations to shop with anyone who is not an Instacart employee with their own Instacart shopper account.

It’s understandable why a person would like to have a spouse help them while they work. It would probably make the work faster and more enjoyable, which can translate into higher earnings.

Working faster could lead to more money. 

But other ways to speed up how long it takes would be to not have to wait to check out once you’ve done the shopping. So, are Instacart shoppers allowed to skip lines?

Check out the facts in a recent article of mine. I explain exactly how checkout works for those that shop and drive, or for those who are just in-store Shoppers. But I also cover how Shoppers can get into membership places like Costco.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

I get why you would like to have your husband with you. Maybe, it would be nice to have help with heavy packages or feel safer in certain neighborhoods if your spouse were with you.

It’s understandable.

But it’s not done in any organization on earth, that one party is engaged to work, and then they come with their spouse to work! 

If one looks at the issue of taking a spouse to work from the company’s perspective, it’s a lot easier to understand why it’s not allowed. 

From a legal and safety point of view, the company could suffer immense damage when a person it has no contractual agreement with acts on its behalf. What happens if they do what’s wrong and hurt the customer’s experience of the Instacart brand?

Or if they were to get hurt while working on a gig for which there’s no contractual agreement.

Ready to make more money than with Instacart? Consider DoorDash!

DoorDash is a great alternative to working for Instacart, and generally speaking, they pay better!

See how much you could be earning. Available in over 4,000 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. All you need is a mode of transportation and a smartphone to start making money.

CLICK HERE to learn more about working for DoorDash!

Finally got a new car today. 2 months of nothing but ubers and instacart, went from an 2003 to a 2021, and over 250,000 miles to 17. I feel safe driving with my daughter in the car now. pic.twitter.com/8dgsbHR1WW

— T i f f a n y🌷💐 (@__tiffnicole88) February 11, 2021

Can I take my kid with me to do Instacart?

A child cannot ride in the delivery vehicle of an Instacart Shopper doing deliveries or while shopping in a store. The company would not want to be liable in the event of a car accident where the child was injured or if the child was somehow injured during the delivery.

But you could say: “I am an independent contractor and should be free to do my job the way I want.” In fact, you might still recall what I shared below ( a part of the Instacart contract) and think it supports your claim.

Actually, it doesn’t. 

Simply read the whole paragraph, bearing in mind that one single sentence can be loaded. (Why do you think we often have to pay lawyers?)

While your kid may help with some errands, or maybe you simply wanted them with you for a day, know that if Instacart management finds out, they’ll warn you to stop. If you persist, you may lose the contract! 

“Per the Instacart platform: 4.1 Subject to compliance with this Agreement, you will have sole discretion over whether to engage subcontractors or use employees, assistants, or helpers (collectively “Personnel”) to assist in the provision of Services, and you will be solely responsible for the direction and control of your Personnel. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you remain liable for the performance of the Services by your Personnel, and the engagement of Personnel will not release you from any of your obligations under this Agreement.”

(source)

One of the key parts to pay attention to is the section that started with the phrase: “notwithstanding the foregoing.”

It’s also worth noting that Store Shift leaders always frown on the idea of having someone with you while you’re shopping.

So if you like your job and want to keep doing it, don’t risk it by bringing someone with you!

Now and then, you read about someone complaining about how little money they’re making from Instacart. But, on forums, I also see a lot of people claiming to be making a lot!

You’re probably wondering if Instacart is a good full-time income?

Check out a recent article of mine. In it, I shared the average income levels. But I also shared some of the minuses of working for Instacart, including the 1 thing that would definitely keep me from doing it.

Just click the link to read it on my site. 

#Coronavirus is driving an increase in downloads of both the Instacart app and the Instacart Driver app. Is the gig economy going to help unemployment during these times? pic.twitter.com/7bFQMfK9Yw

— SimilarWeb for Investors (@SW_investors) March 20, 2020

Can 2 Instacart Shoppers shop together?

Instacart Shopper accounts are approved on an individual basis. A single shopper is expected to serve the customer, and it is this single Shopper that is paid for that order. Thus, it is against Instacart’s rules for 2 Instacart shoppers to shop together on a single order.

But they could technically each shop their own orders side by side.

One of the best ways to have a positive experience with Instacart or with any company is to stick to the terms of service, rather than trying to find some “loopholes” that one believes could help one make money faster. 

Granted that it’s conceivable that two shoppers working together could make more.

But, it could also be complicated. First, it’s against the provision that no one else should be granted access to one’s Instacart shopper account.

And, who will be held responsible if shopper B were to do something that’s harmful to the brand while shopper A’s account was used?

Or, what if shopper B’s account were used? But the customer gave B a poor rating because of something that shopper A did.

It’s actually complicated when more than a person is involved in shopping for the customer. It’s not as simple as one would like to believe.

Official Instacart Shopper. Yes! Love to shop. #Instacart. –#CelioMancias. #InstacartShopper. #February2019. #Tuesday. #Celio. #Shoppers. #Jobs. #Instacart2019. #LosAngeles. #Driving. #ExtraCash. pic.twitter.com/IuenDMoQnh

— Celio Mancias (@celiomancias) February 20, 2019

Should I leave my child in the car doing Instacart deliveries?

One is never expected to have a child with them when they go to work for Instacart. Thus, a child should not be in the car while Instacart deliveries are being made. Additionally, it’s never safe to leave a child unattended in a car.

Apart from the fact that it’s against Instacart’s regulation, it’d be hard for you to be fully devoted to your work when you’re also worried about your child’s safety.

And, let’s face it. You’d be worried. 

The implication is that you’d be torn between doing excellent work and providing the utmost care for your child. And both might suffer. 

Your performance would ultimately suffer, and you know how that’d affect your ratings and earnings. 

It’s likely that you’d also be showing up with your child as you make deliveries. Trust me, it doesn’t project a professional image and won’t help the Instacart brand. 

After all, we don’t want people showing up with members of their family when they’re doing some work for us. In fact, there are folks that’d give you a poor rating if you’re with your child as you shop and deliver.

So don’t do it!

Ready to make more money than with Instacart? Consider DoorDash!

DoorDash is a great alternative to working for Instacart, and generally speaking, they pay better!

See how much you could be earning. Available in over 4,000 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. All you need is a mode of transportation and a smartphone to start making money.

CLICK HERE to learn more about working for DoorDash!

I just finished my first full day of not using my car. Instead of driving, I biked to get coffee, lunch and the gym. I also tried the Instacart app for the first time. LOVED it.

I’m going to try biking to work tomorrow. Wish me luck! #carless #publictransport #BikeATL pic.twitter.com/gyWi6d2qCl

— Andy Pierrotti (@AndyPierrotti) October 29, 2018

How would Instacart know if someone else is driving your car?

Instacart would not know if someone is driving or riding in your car. During the application and onboarding process, you are not required to provide details about your vehicle. 

Instacart has no formal details about your car.

And there’s no tech device for connecting your Instacart shopper account and your car details, it won’t know when others use your car. Having said that, a store shift leader might notice someone unfamiliar in your car if they are used to seeing you in it.

And that’s a surefire way to get yourself fired from the Instacart platform.

It’s also vital to recall that you, the car owner, are jointly liable if something unpleasant were to occur while someone else is driving your car. (There are a few exceptions). 

The average income Shoppers make is not a lot. But, there’s flexibility and some ways for making a lot more than the average. So, the last thing a smart person wants is to look for loopholes that might come back to hurt you later.

What’d happen to your unemployment benefits if you were to start doing Instacart? 

Find out in a recent article of mine, where I shared the key facts you need to know. After all, many turn to the so-called GIG economy jobs after being laid off from a more traditional job. And if you are collecting unemployment benefits from that, will working for Instacart end that??

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Final Thoughts

We all want to make more money. 

So, it’s understandable that we might be tempted to look for “smart” ways to increase our earnings. As long as it’s done in line with the company’s terms of service, we’ll be fine. 

In the article, we learned that it is against Instacart’s regulations to have others with us while we are working. 

It doesn’t matter if they are our husbands, wives, kids, guardian angels…  It’s also wrong to leave a child in a car while you shop and deliver.

You won’t be able to really focus on the work. That’s the honest truth.

We wrapped up by considering the fact that Instacart has no formal means of knowing when you allow others to use your car. 

But, there could be potential negative consequences.

Ready to get started as a Shopper with Instacart?

Just CLICK HERE to sign up now right on their website.

Instacart has a rating system in place for customers to rate their experience. It’s the key measure that tracks how well a Shopper is performing, and the amount of money they make depends on their rating. But do Instacart Shoppers get penalized for mistakes?

Instacart Shoppers do not have their pay docked for making mistakes or receiving a bad review. However, Instacart Shoppers do get rated by customers, and the Instacart system, in turn, rewards higher-rated Shoppers with more orders than those who receive a mediocre or poor rating.

Like most performance systems, Instacart’s too is a two-edged sword. As it should be.

Hardworking shoppers are rewarded, while those whose performance falls short feel the impact on the earnings. Naturally, they’d make less.

So, looked at objectively, the system’s focus is on incentivizing hard workers, not really about penalizing shoppers for mistakes.

In this article, we’ll take a look at how to contact Instacart when something’s wrong with your order and how its rating system impacts shoppers.

Let’s dive right in.

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

What happens if your Instacart order is wrong?

If an Instacart delivery or pickup order is wrong, customers contact Instacart’s help center via the app or website, report the error, and receive a prompt response; most often either a refund or a new delivery of the correct item(s).

Instacart shoppers are doing their best to ensure that all batches (orders) are correctly delivered.

Consider that they get paid based on their performance and that your ratings count toward their having a contract or not. So, they’re motivated to ensure all deliveries are done well. But being human beings, mistakes are bound to happen.

Now and then, an order could be wrong! What do you do if that happens?

Like most reputable organizations, Instacart has a dedicated Help Center that you can contact if your order is wrong and when you need other forms of support.

So, if you got the wrong order, your order wasn’t delivered, or you’re not completely satisfied, you could reach out to Instacart Care for a full refund.

You could call, email, or send a message via your Instacart app, and you’ll receive a prompt response.

The complaint will be addressed. You’ll be sent an email confirmation immediately and notified when you receive a response.

In the app or via its website, you could also report the following cases:

• Missing items
• Incorrect items
• Damaged items
• Poor replacements
• Early/late orders

Ready to make more money than with Instacart? Consider DoorDash!

DoorDash is a great alternative to working for Instacart, and generally speaking, they pay better!

See how much you could be earning. Available in over 4,000 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. All you need is a mode of transportation and a smartphone to start making money.

CLICK HERE to learn more about working for DoorDash!

.@Instacart Who do I inform that a wrong item was delivered to my Mom yesterday? We only ever order red grapefruit, but yellow ones were delivered. pic.twitter.com/hAqmOs0qPR

— Reid Walley (@ReidWalley) July 4, 2019

How do I report wrong items on Instacart?

Report incorrect Instacart items from a delivery or pickup order via its help center on the app or website. In most cases, they will simply refund the incorrect item, but depending on the issue, delivery of the correct item is possible.

Naturally, you’ll be sent an email confirmation immediately and notified of a fitting response.

A written complaint, I believe, is the way to go. You don’t have to wait on the phone, and there’s documentary evidence everyone can refer to.

On the whole, the company’s help center is pretty fast.

What happens when everything goes well? Should you leave a tip for the shoppers/drivers?

I devoted a recent article of mine to this theme. I explained, among other things, that most Instacart shoppers are not exactly making out like bandits.

And as a token of our appreciation of their service, it’s good that we offer them generous tips. But how much should you tip, and is Instacart’s recommended 5% enough?

Just click the link to read it on my site.

@Instacart I was charged $29+ for a $5+ chicken. Complaint filed but no response. Don’t approve anything if you don’t feel comfortable no matter what your shopper told you. Otherwise you will be like me. pic.twitter.com/AFSutch5rc

— 李颖 (@graceliying) April 23, 2020

How do I complain about an Instacart shopper?

Customers can rate Instacart Shoppers directly on the Instacart app for either negative service or positive service. Instacart also has a help center on its website, and customers can call a community support member or send an email.

I bet you don’t enjoy complaining about anyone. So, the key is to ensure you always give detailed and clear instructions about what you’ll like them to purchase and deliver for you.

Since their livelihood depends on this income stream, I believe most shoppers are putting in their best. But, it’s your right to complain when you’re not satisfied, and the company’s Help Center is your best bet.

A written complaint is often the best, seeing as all parties can easily refer to it.

But remember, these Instacart Shoppers often work very hard for fairly low pay. So if the Shopper is still at your house, it’s always good to ask questions or resolve problems directly.

But is Instacart a good full-time income?

Check out a recent article of mine where I explored this issue in some depth. I shared the average income to expect, when you’ll get paid, and whether you can make good money with the company.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Instacart shopper ratings won’t affect access to orders during COVID-19 pandemic
As a way to try to ease some of the pressure and low ratings gig workers may face from panicked customers, Instacart has ma… https://t.co/2nhoMxVDTf pic.twitter.com/0XGVrQYMPE

— John Softley (@finds4life) April 30, 2020

Do Instacart shoppers see complaints?

Instacart shoppers do see complaints. All the complaints and compliments from customers are seen on their accounts. But, they are reported anonymously so that the customer names and addresses are not included.

This, I believe, is to protect the customers. Shoppers see their ratings, but it’s hard for them to know for a fact which customer gave a particular rating.

So, if a complaint or compliment is “vague”, it’ll be difficult for a shopper to know which customer wrote it.

But, if it’s specific and peculiar, perhaps there’d been an exchange between the shopper and the customer about a particular item, it might be possible for the shopper to know.

Ratings are a normal part of doing business.

So, if you’re curious about whether Instacart shoppers can also rate customers, check out a recent article of mine. In it, I showed that as of the time of writing, there’s no official mechanism on Instacart’s app that allows shoppers to rate customers.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

@Instacart thank you for letting me know that a 99.7% five star service is below average. In school it would be an A+. Also thanks for counting ratings now that CA is in the worst spike we have seen of covid19. Stock is getting low again. People are distressed again. So wrong pic.twitter.com/EwNoZHSaTv

— Jennifer (@jennytheshopper) July 2, 2020

Does Instacart remove your lowest rating?

Instacart does remove a Shopper’s lowest rating. The company’s system is designed such that a Shopper’s lowest rating and ratings relating to what’s outside their control are automatically forgiven.

The rating system is not designed to penalize workers. It’s essentially a feedback mechanism that provides shoppers with data about where to improve.

But, the rating system, even though vital and used by Instacart’s competitors, it’s something a shopper must keep at the top of their mind.

Because its impact can have dramatic effects.

If a shopper consistently gets low ratings, they’re not going to be getting orders! And, if they get high ratings, they can make a lot of money.

Consider what some Instacart workers say:

• “It only takes 2 customers to give you 4 stars, and poof, you have no more access to view batches worth a damn.”
• “I just dropped to a 4.94, and I’m more or less fired. I don’t think I can recover from this. I’m not taking $8 batches.“
• “My rating dipped to 4.97 over another bogus 4-star rating. Now I’m seeing no batches, or they’re disappearing quickly. Instacart’s rating system is so broken.”
• “I automatically wake up around 3 AM to check my ratings and then go back to bed. It’s horrible how IC has conditioned my brain.”

The best thing you can do is to ensure that you do your best as you go about making your deliveries, and if a customer leaves an unfair complaint, you can always take it up with Instacart.

Ready to get started as a Shopper with Instacart?

Just CLICK HERE to sign up now right on their website.

Final Thoughts

In the article, we looked at what to do when your order goes wrong for any reason. Perhaps the wrong item was delivered.

Instacart’s help center is highly responsive. So, there’s nothing to worry about. They’ll provide a solution fast, even in situations where your order wasn’t delivered at all.

I also shared how you can register your complaints about shoppers. Note that shoppers can see your comments, but it’s reported anonymously.

So, they’ll most probably not know it’s from you. What happens to low ratings shoppers get? I explained that the company’s system automatically removes it, which is great if you ask me.

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

The Grocery Store Guy, part of the Middle Class Dad family of websites, is reader-supported and when you make a purchase through some of my links, I  may earn a small commission from the sale, which in no way increases the cost to you. Learn more HERE.

There are a couple of companies providing online grocery ordering for pickup or delivery. It can be a bit confusing telling them apart. But a lot of people ask me, are DoorDash and Instacart the same company?

Instacart and DoorDash are not the same company. Instacart was founded by former Amazon employee Apoorva Mehta under the company name Maplebear Inc. whereas DoorDash was founded by Tony Xu along with Andy Fang and Stanley Tang.

Instacart, through its partnership with grocery stores, delivers groceries and drinks to your doorstep when you order using its app or website.

DoorDash, by comparison, partners with grocery stores and local restaurants, enabling you to order groceries, meals, and drinks.

Read on to learn more riveting facts about DoorDash and Instacart. We’ll get into how they differ, if one is better than the other and if one marks up groceries more than the other.

Let’s dive right in…

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

Is there another company like Instacart?

There are several companies like Instacart in the online grocery delivery space. Some of these companies include DoorDash, Amazon Fresh, Farmstead, Shipt, FreshDirect, and Blue Apron.

So, there are alternatives to Instacart. But, as of the time of writing, it’s the top dog in the sector.

Let’s check out Farmstead (because it’s free of charge) and FreshDirect. Both do not simply deliver, they’re online grocers.

This is why Farmstead doesn’t charge for deliveries. We’ll get back to it in a bit.

FreshDirect

FreshDirect is one of the earliest online grocery shopping and delivery services, having started operations in 2002 (that’s 10 years before Instacart).

It doesn’t have as wide a coverage as Instacart, but its niche is great fresh food. It offers deals on Thursdays and has DeliveryPass, which effectively makes delivery free of cost to you.

It has skilled merchants who search the world for the best products and experts who taste an average of 800 products each day!

So, you can be sure of the quality of what you’re ordering. And, it offers a 100% money-back guarantee. It has programs through which it helps the needy in the community.

Farmstead

Farmstead is the first online grocer to offer groceries for free and at prices that are cheaper than those offered by top supermarkets.

Its mission is to make high-quality, locally sourced food available for everyone.

To achieve it, it’s leveraging AI technology to reinvent the grocery buying experience and warehousing to significantly reduce waste.

You don’t pay for deliveries.

New Video!! INSTACART VS DOORDASH – How to Make More Money https://t.co/Jiok6vM3Sq pic.twitter.com/S8GkN9ydBb

— Reezy Resells 📚 #amazonfba (@ReezyResells) May 24, 2020

Is Instacart more widely available than DoorDash?

DoorDash is not more widely available than Instacart. Instacart is present in 5,500 cities in the U.S. and Canada. DoorDash is present in both countries, too, in 4000 cities. 

It’s important to stress that both are highly similar services.

What research reveals is a lot more interesting and nuanced. Let’s check it out. Despite Instacart’s presence in more cities, it only has 9.6 million users, relative to DoorDash’s 18 million.

So Instacart is in more cities, but more people use DoorDash.

Of course, both Instacart and DoorDash have been growing at dizzying rates for a few years now, and this was accelerated by the pandemic.

The challenges it presented almost overwhelmed most grocery stores and grocery delivery services. Instacart and DoorDash are part of a few that rode the wave to exponential growth.

Apptopia reported that Instacart’s app daily download increased by 218% in 2020.

DoorDash’s download increased by 241%.

To provide some context, during the same period, Walmart grocery increased by 160%, while Shipt increased by 124%. DoorDash controls 45% of the U.S. food delivery market. But, it’s only recently added grocery deliveries to its offering. In fact, it just added that in 2020.

A move that some see as taking aim at Instacart’s bacon.

If you love Walmart, you’re probably wondering if DoorDash delivers for it. Yes, it does. Check out more details in a recent article of mine.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

We’ll bring you the #StPatricksday essentials 💚☘️ Don’t let anyone pinch you 👀 pic.twitter.com/ZXRIImfMty

— Instacart (@Instacart) March 17, 2021

Do more grocery stores use Instacart than DoorDash?

Currently, more grocery stores use Instacart than DoorDash. Instacart delivers from 3,300 stores across more than 30 states. DoorDash delivers for 226 restaurants and 1800 stores across all 50 states.

The statistics above make sense seeing as DoorDash has only recently added grocery delivery to its offering in 2020.

Instacart, on the other hand, had been delivering groceries from the get-go in 2012. Instacart also delivers alcohol. DoorDash offers alcohol too.

Alcohol, as you know, is a “sensitive” product. So, there are some vital details one needs to know before it can be ordered online. In a recent article of mine, I shared the lowdown on Instacart’s alcohol delivery service.

It’s currently delivering in 14 states. You must show your ID and be physically present to collect your package. And, you can’t be visibly tolerated.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

It’s highly conceivable that we’d experience intense competition between both companies. It’s interesting, seeing as both benefited from the same incubator: Y combinator.

The opportunity for growth in the food delivery business is incredibly high, especially when you consider that online grocery shopping is still just about 10% of total grocery sales.

pic.twitter.com/8nROIAIOhf

— DoorDash (@DoorDash) February 26, 2021

Does DoorDash markup groceries less than Instacart?

DoorDash does not markup groceries. The prices they charge are the same as in-store prices. Instacart, on the other hand, does markup prices significantly when it’s purchasing grocery items for customers from stores it has NOT partnered with.

DoorDash charges about $5 to $8 per delivery (excluding tips for its drivers who do the delivery).

But, if you have DoorPass, its subscription service, you enjoy free delivery on all orders over $12. DoorPass comes to about $9.9 per month.

Instacart charges delivery fees starting at $3.99 for orders over $35. But for orders under $35, delivery fees start at $7.99.

On orders over $35, delivery fees are waived if you’re an Instacart Express member. 

It’s also $9.99 per month. Or, $99 per year, and there’s a 14-day trial period. Seeing as Instacart marks up some of its prices, it’s possible you’ll get a better deal from DoorDash, seeing as one of its partners is Walmart.

If I were you, I’d place orders on both websites to confirm each order’s actual cost and simply cancel the more expensive one.

But it’s good to note that Instacart doesn’t actually markup all prices. There are no markups when you are purchasing from stores Instacart has partnered with

You’re probably interested in having more info about why Instacart marks up its prices, right? You’re in luck because that’s what I explored in a recent article of mine.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Celebrate #PrimeDay with deals on groceries delivered to your door. https://t.co/DKwrL9RIGY pic.twitter.com/ChdfRIcIBo

— Amazon Fresh (@AmazonFresh) July 15, 2019

Who is the best grocery delivery service?

AmazonFresh is the best grocery delivery service. It is free to Amazon Prime members, and the only additional fee charged is if the order does not meet the minimum threshold. Groceries may be delivered from Whole Foods Market, but orders can also be fulfilled from Amazon’s many warehouses as well.

But that’s not to say any of the other grocery online ordering companies aren’t good.

They all have their pros and cons, and especially if you aren’t an Amazon Prime member, you might be better off with one of the other ones.

So, I’ll share the names of the top contenders and their key advantages. If you’re on a budget, FreshDirect is the best.

You’ll need to be in their coverage area, be prepared to accept groceries midweek, and sign up for a subscription. Instacart or Shipt are great if you’re more interested in having a large selection and have preferences for certain brands.

They’re both ready to offer you a variety of items from a wide selection of stores.

But, they’re not as budget-friendly as FreshDirect. For budget-friendly, same-day delivery Amazon and Shipt are cool. You can get same-day delivery options from the aforementioned, too.

But it’s a tad pricey and requires some planning. Lastly, if you’re into high-quality organic produce Amazon (in partnership with Whole Foods) is what I’ll recommend.

I’ll say your best option, all things being equal, is Amazon Fresh.

Conclusion

There are many companies in the grocery delivery space. It’s a sector that’s growing at an impressive rate.

We learned that Instacart and DoorDash are not the same company.

Instacart was founded in 2012, while DoorDash was launched a year after and originally started life as Paloaltodelivery.com.

Of course, they offer similar services.

We checked out which service is more widely available, the one that has lower markups, which one works with more stores, and we wrapped things up by looking at the best grocery delivery service.

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

Photos that require attribution: 

A Street Scene on Granville Street, Downtown, Vancouver during . . . by GoToVan and Publix Instacart Parking Spot by Keith C is licensed under CC2.0 and were cropped, merged, and had a graphic and text overlay added.

The Grocery Store Guy, part of the Middle Class Dad family of websites, is reader-supported and when you make a purchase through some of my links, I  may earn a small commission from the sale, which in no way increases the cost to you. Learn more HERE.