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What Happens if Instacart Delivers to the Wrong Address?

By: Author Jeff Campbell

Posted on  - Last updated:

Categories Grocery Delivery & Pickup

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.

Instacart delivers wrong address lg

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. 

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.  

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. 

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.

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

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Jeff Campbell
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