Is Instacart Worth It?

What Is Instacart?

Basically, Instacart connects people to the services they require by giving service providers a platform for smooth and efficient working. Popular in over 5,500 countries across Canada and the United States, Instacart is a grocery delivery service that delivers products from popular retailers and grocery stores to your doorstep. This platform collaborates with brands like Costco, Aldi, Kroger, CVS, Target, etc.

And since Instacart pays its service providers by the hour and invites shoppers to work for them independently, most workers aren’t on their official payroll. This policy apparently encourages more people to work for Instacart and earn extra money – they also call their drivers “independent contractors.” 

This outsourcing policy is how most companies function in a gig economy, where thousands are looking for side hustles instead of full-time commitments. Moreover, its app interface adds an extra layer of interactivity, unlike most platforms delivering groceries. Instacart allows its users to fully communicate with Instacart shoppers, making delivery and replacement quick and efficient.

What’s more, if you find that an item has not been delivered or replaced by the Instacart shopper, you can request a direct refund within the app. And they’ll process it within a few minutes!

How Does Instacart Work?

Using Instacart is pretty simple. All you have to do is create an account, add a payment method (credit or debit card, PayPal, etc.), choose items from a grocery store, and pay the service fees.

Instacart has a relatively accurate inventory of what’s available in the stores, and while your store shopper packs the items for delivery, you can also add some last-minute changes. And once your order is placed, the Instacart app will automatically take you to the payment page, where you can use different payment methods. You can also tip the Instacart shopper for their hard work!

Moreover, you can communicate with Instacart shoppers while they’re shopping at the stores to replace missing items and place them for refund. However, you can’t request any changes after the full-service shopper has packed your items.

Moving on, you’ll have to navigate the Instacart shopper to your address, and once the things are delivered, it’s recommended to rate their delivery.

Is Instacart Worth It For Customers?

Instacart is a great app if you don’t have time for grocery shopping and require speedy delivery. You might have heard a friend or colleague rave about Instacart Express or its regular counterpart, but have you wondered why they’re so popular?

Instacart’s popularity is based on these three criteria:

i. Availability

The only reason a delivery service might gain popularity is its access to different cities and towns – and figuring out whether Instacart delivers to your location is simple. Just go to Instacart’s website and enter your delivery pin code. Depending on your location, you’ll be able to see if delivery drivers are available and which grocery stores are utilized for fulfilling Instacart orders in your area.

ii. Cost

Even though Instacart offers free delivery, if you buy over a certain amount or during sales, you’ll have to pay a delivery fee. This is to compensate the full-service shoppers most of the time. However, you can use the app to avail of various price options.

The most common pricing option is the a la carte one, where you’ll pay separately for each delivery. In this payment mode, you’ll typically pay the personal shopper from $3.99 to $5.99 – but you might have to pay extra cash during the busy period.

You can also opt for the Instacart Express membership, where you’ll get free delivery for over $35. The annual membership fee will account for $99, so you need to do the math to see if it’s worth your dime. 

But we find this quite appropriate since your annual delivery fees will exceed the membership amount if you order twice a month anyway. Moreover, another factor you need to account for is Instacart’s service fee which covers Instacart’s operating costs, including customer support, insurance, etc.

And lastly, you’ll have to take into account the tips you’ll be giving to the independent contractor or Instacart shopper.

iii. Convenience

Online shopping and a grocery delivery service like Instacart are tempting to prospective clients due to the time they can save you. Instacart specifically markets its grocery delivery options to people who don’t have the time to do their grocery shopping themselves. Be it a family obligation, a busy job, or a tight schedule – there are many reasons why people may use Instacart to get their groceries delivered within a few hours.

However, if you’re too picky – not just the brand but also the size and shape of fresh produce – opting for online delivery may be a hassle for both parties. While Instacart lets you choose the brands you want, Instacart shoppers may find themselves being micromanaged by you for picking even certain shapes of tomatoes! 

So, if you plan to spend time communicating with the personal shopper for nit-picky details, it makes more sense to shop by yourself.

Is Instacart Worth It for A Shopper Or Delivery Driver?

There are various gig economy jobs out there that allow you to make money part-time by delivering items to online customers. Working for Instacart is quite similar – you get paid by going to the closest retail store, packing the products, and delivering them to a specific address. 

Moreover, there are two types of Instacart shopper positions available – full-service shopper or in-store shopper. If you choose the full-service role, you’ll be known as an “independent contractor” and get paid based on customer deliveries you’ve completed. Instacart pay ranges from $7 to $10 for a full-service batch, which is calculated based on the delivery fee a customer pays.

However, you can expect to make $25 per hour if you efficiently complete the allotted grocery deliveries without any mistakes. But you must note that Instacart doesn’t pay an hourly wage to their full-service shoppers, and you’ll be required to file your own taxes.

On the other hand, in-store shoppers are part-time personal shoppers who don’t drive for Instacart – they simply pack the items and put them into a shopping cart. This is a relatively low-stress job since you won’t be required to deliver the items; rather, you’ll be streamlining the process for full-service shoppers. Instacart pays its in-store shoppers a $14 per hour wage, which is quite average for the industry. 

Many students and part-time workers avail of this option, as this side hustle is lucrative and flexible since you’re technically not on the company’s payroll.

What Are the Benefits of Working or Driving For Instacart?

Besides the pay, you also need to consider the benefits of Instacart service to fully comprehend if it’s worth it. 

Firstly, as a full-service shopper, you can decide your own working schedule based on availability and preference. Instacart can’t technically force you to work since you’re not their employee but an independent contractor. Secondly, you can choose to work when there’s a high demand to increase your earning potential and make money faster.

However, you may not have as much flexibility as a part-time in-store shopper since Instacart can direct you when to work. But working for Instacart part-time can be beneficial to those who prefer a consistent work schedule and pay-per-hour system.

But regardless of your employment type, you’ll be moving around a lot – picking out groceries, packing them, and delivering them (for full-time shoppers).

Final Thoughts

As we come to the end of the article, the question remains: is Instacart worth it? If you’re looking for a convenient and speedy way to get your groceries delivered, then it’s definitely worth the try. Online shopping is nothing short of a blessing for people with a busy schedule, but it may become a budget problem if used too often.

Plus, for Instacart shoppers, the pay is not as good as other apps like Amazon Flex or Uber, where you can change your location according to the service demand. And you can’t opt for a night shift since its grocery delivery service is limited to certain hours during the day and evening.

We hope this article helps you decide whether Instacart is worth shopping at or working for. Until next time, goodbye!