Are you a first time Instacart user? Maybe, you’ve dabbled with the app before and just didn’t enjoy the experience. I have used Instacart at least twice a month for the past several months and even signed up to be a shopper at one point. I even pay $10 per month to use Instacart Express (no service fees all month!). Along the way, I’ve figured out a few Instacart Tips and Tricks, which make this a must have application!

Wait, what is Instacart?

Instacart is a grocery delivery service to put it simply. It allows you to shop your local participating grocery stores via an assigned shopper on the app. You can even shop at Sam’s Club and Costco without a membership! You download the app or open the web browser and select the groceries you need. Then, you can choose preferable replacement items, notes for the driver, and a tip.

Why wouldn’t I just go to the store myself?

Check out my Time Saving Pregnancy Hacks post for why I personally continue to use Instacart. Other reasons include: not wanting to take small children to the store, better managing your budget, poor weather conditions, reclaiming that time to do other productive activities.

On to my Instacart Tips and Tricks!

Pre-select replacements and refunds

If you would like to save yourself and your shopper the trouble of communicating through the chat too often, pre-select replacements and refunds when the app prompts you to. This will allow your shopper to quickly make alternate choices without waiting for a chat response. It also eliminates scrambling to think of replacements unnecessarily when the shopper is in the store.

Be available when your shopper begins your order

The best tip I learned is to make sure I am going to be available and near my phone when my shopper begins my order. If your pre-selected replacements are not available, your shopper will be waiting for your direction before making purchases. They may even have to refund something you really needed if they can’t get a timely response from you.

Tip in advance

This trick is especially useful in areas where a lot of people use Instacart. It’s also helpful on a rainy day, during rush hour, or any other unpleasant driving conditions Instacart shoppers do have the option to not accept an order that comes their way. Many will not accept orders with a ton of items requested and a $0 tip showing. They don’t make that much from Instacart for each order – depending on the volume of orders. I have also noted better communication and willingness to find great replacements when tipping in advance. Just make sure you do the right thing – never lower the tip amount after receiving service.

Make additional requests as soon as the chat opens

Most shoppers have no issue picking up an item or two that were left off of your list. However, mentioning these items at the start of the order increases your chances of getting them. If your shopper is rushed for time and you mention last minute additions as they wrap up, they may not be able to accommodate you. Recently, Instacart has stopped allowing you to communicate with your shopper via text. You can only use the chat within the app and it closes as soon as your shopper has picked up your last item.

Communicate the delivery experience you want

This tip is extremely important. Luckily, Instacart has finally allowed a section in the app to add notes for the driver. Make sure to communicate any specific directions, visitor entry location, weird flights of stairs, etc. This will ensure your shopper ends up at the right home or apartment – especially if you have elected to have them drop off your order at the door.

Since I’ve been pregnant, I order the groceries and my husband picks them up so that I don’t have to carry anything up the stairs. However, I also tend to have him do this because sometimes Instcart shoppers bring along a friend or spouse to assist them – they aren’t supposed to, but they do. Sometimes it has turned out to be a man and a woman or two women. I never rate those shoppers well and hope I don’t come across them again in case I make orders when I’m home alone (which I almost never do).

However, on the other side – I make sure to let my shoppers know that my husband will receive the groceries. Many are women and a few have come by as late as 8pm. If it were me, I would rather not question or potentially fear a man answering the door when I’ve been chatting with a woman. Just a common courtesy.

Thank your shopper

I’m not quite sure how, but sometimes repeat shoppers remember me before they deliver my groceries. It may be the note I leave, my address, or just my chatting style that gives me away. Most of those individuals have gone out of their way to shop for me like they would for themselves. Today, I had a woman pick up 3-4 things that weren’t even on my list because I thought all stores would be out of them due to the mandatory quarantines. A little gratitude goes a long way.

One more thing…

Instacart is an amazing productivity tool in my opinion. You can schedule Thursday’s groceries on Tuesday and then spend Thursday playing PJ Masks with your toddlers while someone else does your shopping. However, keep in mind that Instacart is not perfect. I have had poor shoppers, the app cancel my order, my order rescheduled because no one picked it up, and had to go back out to other stores for items that were out of stock.

It’s as good as it can be, so just be prepared for that.

So, what do you think of these Instacart Tips and Tricks? If you decide to give them a try, let me know how your order goes in the comments!