Grocery delivery services are more popular than ever. Instacart is perhaps the most popular of the services. This grocery delivery service makes it incredibly convenient to shop for your groceries and household items and have them delivered right to your doorstep. What could be better than that?
While Instacart is super convenient and very user-friendly, it does come with a few downsides that can tamper with the easy way of shopping. Today I’m sharing everything you need to know!
WHAT IS INSTACART?
Instacart takes all of the hassles out of shopping. The grocery delivery service designates a personal shopper for your order and proceeds to fulfill your requests. When they are finished, they deliver the goods right to your doorstep. All you have to do to use the service is download the app and place everything you want in your shopping cart. It’s really that simple.
Instacart partners with local grocery and retail stores, making it very simple to get what you want all without leaving your house. What we love most about the grocery delivery service is the ease of the platform. Sometimes your schedule just doesn’t allow you to get to the store, or maybe shopping with all of your kids isn’t ideal. With Instacart, you can have a personalized shopping experience, all without leaving your house.
HOW DOES INSTACART WORK?
Instacart is fairly simple to operate. In order to get started, you’ll need to create an account and add in your information. This will let you see what stores will deliver to you on the app and send a confirmation of your order.
Once you’ve entered your zip code, you can browse through the stores in your area that have Instacart services. This can include anything like grocery stores, Target, Costco, and even Sephora.
If you love online shopping, you’ll quickly fall in love with Instacart. The service is basically the same thing, except instead of clothing, you are shopping for food and household items.
HOW TO PLACE AN ORDER
Once you select the store you want, you can search the aisles just like you would a typical grocery store and add everything you want into your cart. Can’t find what you are looking for? Go to the search feature and type in the item. It will be much easier than traipsing up and down the aisles in the store looking for that missing product.
When you have everything ready to go in your cart, head to the checkout station. Don’t count on there being a long line at this checkout counter. With Instacart, you can choose when you get your order delivered. Schedule it for the same day or the next morning. You can also add in any delivery details while you are checking out and include any requests for the driver.
DELIVERY ON INSTACART
When you check out, your order will be handed off to a shopper who will head to the store and buy everything on your list. While they are shopping, you can use the chat function to send messages about your order. If you want to add another item or replace an item, the shopper is right there in the store to make sure they get just what you want.
The shopper will also inform you if they do not have the items you want in stock. They will suggest some replacements, or you can refund the item.
When the order is complete, the shopper will check out at the store and head right to your house. If they are early or shopping multiple orders, they will keep your food in a temperature-friendly environment so nothing will spoil before it arrives.
When they are ready to drop off your order, you will get a notification that it is on its way. During this time, you can track the driver on the app and see where they are on the map. The driver will then drop off the items according to the details you provided during check out.
BENEFITS OF INSTACART
What we love about Instacart the most is the convenience of the service. It couldn’t be easier to get what you need from the store without stressing about getting that shopping trip in. The options for what can be delivered are always growing by the day, making the service even more enticing to use.
Instacart is another great option if you are looking to keep your shopping socially distanced. You don’t have to expose yourself in the store, and your shopper can leave your groceries right outside your door. The delivery service makes it very simple to keep safe while shopping.
Instacart is also very helpful to those who have disabilities or may not be able to visit a store themselves. It is a great option for senior citizens who have trouble shopping or lifting heavy items into their carts. The service is also a plus for those who rely on public transportation. You can say goodbye to lugging your groceries or keeping items out of your cart because they will be too heavy to carry back. Instacart will deliver the items right to your door, giving you the opportunity to get everything you want from the store.
DOWNSIDE OF INSTACART
While the majority of the time Instacart is great, there are a few downsides to the service that we’re typically not a fan of. Sometimes the replacements can get a little rough. While your shopper does their best to get a similar item, sometimes you can end up with something out of left field that had nothing to do with your original item.
FAQ
DO YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR DELIVERY?
There is a delivery fee when it comes to Instacart. For one order, the fee starts at 3.99. It can vary depending on same-day delivery or deliveries that are under $35.
If you want to avoid paying the delivery fee each time you place an order, you might want to consider subscribing to Instacart Express. As a member, you get free delivery on all of your orders over $35. Memberships cost $99 per year or $9.99 per month. The membership will also cut down on service fees for each order.
ARE PRICES THE SAME AS THE STORE?
Instacart prices tend to run a little higher than in the store. The prices will depend on the store that you are ordering from. While that may seem unfair, think about the time and convenience you are saving to have your items come right to you.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY INSTACART DELIVERY?
Sometimes an item goes missing, or the replacement is just not up to par. Not a problem! Instacart has an excellent customer service department who are willing to help you out. Simply log on to the app to report the issue or use the chat feature on the site to address the problem. I’ve never had a situation with Instacart that hasn’t been able to find a solution.
Overall, coming from our experience, the majority of the benefits outweigh the downsides of using Instacart. The grocery delivery service couldn’t be easier to navigate and makes your life ten times easier. It doesn’t have to be something you rely on all of the time, too. Maybe you’re running carpool and can’t make it to the store. All you have to do is place an order and have all the ingredients you’ll need for dinner waiting for you at home. It’s a win-win, no matter how you look at it.