Order Grocery Pickup Or Delivery Through Instacart
Since we have been quarantined, I have ordered groceries from Instacart.
I initially started ordering food to be delivered at my doorstep. I was able to get same-day delivery.
When things started opening up, many stores began to offer curbside pickup. This was exciting because this allowed me to feel like I was going somewhere. Curbside has been great. When I arrive at the store, I park in the pickup area. I let the store know I am outside. I then open my truck and they place my groceries inside. There is no contact.
I thought ordering groceries through Instacart would be a bit costly. I was wrong!
Delivery Fee For Instacrat
Delivery fees can differ based on the time you want your order delivered, and how large the order is. Delivery fees are higher during busy times. There will be a clear indication of this when you are choosing your delivery time.
Delivery fees start at $3.99. As always, Instacart Express members get free delivery on orders over $35.
If your order is late but you paid for busy pricing delivery, they will automatically refund the busy pricing fee, however, the regular delivery fee will still apply.
Keep in mind there may be an order minimum amount before you’re eligible for delivery. The order minimum has been $35, for me.
Instacart Pickup Fee
There is no service fee or alcohol service fee for pickup orders. When pickup orders started I was charged a $1.50 pickup fee. It has changed since then.
Heavy Fee
The heavy order fee helps cover operational costs and only applies when you purchase certain heavy items, like cases of beverages and pet food, among other products. The fee is applied if the total combined estimated weight of these items is above 50 lbs.
You can always review which items qualify for this fee before you place your order.
To find out which of your item(s) are associated with a heavy order fee—
Create an order as you usually would in the app or on instacart.com
You can see the heavy order fee in the order subtotal
Select the Review link to see the heavy items in your order
You can adjust the quantity of these items in the pop-up window to avoid or lower the heavy fee
Items at certain retailers may have a weight limit and be unavailable for purchase.
I did not realize there was a heavy fee when I placed an order with heavy items. I was not paying attention to the additional fees when I placed the order. It did not matter at the time, I was afraid of COVID 19 and was doing whatever I could to get my groceries delivered, safely.
Bottles Deposit and Bags Fees
These fees are collected in accordance with local city and state laws where applicable. To find more information about your state’s bottle deposit fees, please visit bottlebill.org.
Like any other service or product, taxes are included in the order totals on your delivery receipt that’s emailed to you upon the completion of your order. The tax and/or fees you pay on products purchased through the Instacart platform are calculated the same way as in a physical store. Depending on your location, the delivery or service fee that you pay to Instacart in exchange for its service may also be subject to tax.
There are a few different taxes involved when you place an order
Sales tax: The sales tax may be applied to some or all of the items in your order in accordance with local laws depending on the address of the store or your delivery address.
Heavy fee: This fee helps cover operational costs and only applies to an order once the combined estimated weight of certain items totals to above 50 lbs.
Bottle Deposit: In certain jurisdictions, a bottle fee may apply to purchases of bottles, cans, or other recyclable containers. These deposits may be applied on some or all of the items in your order in accordance with local laws depending on the address of the store.
Bag Fees: In certain jurisdictions, a fee is charged for use of non-reusable bags. This fee may be applied to your order in accordance with local laws depending on the address of the store.
Sugar Sweetened Beverage Fees: In certain jurisdictions, sugary beverages are subject to an additional tax. These fees may be applied on some or all of the items in your order in accordance with local laws depending on the address of the store.
San Francisco Healthy Tax: This tax applies only to orders within the city of San Francisco. Visit sfgov.org to learn more.
Tipping
Instacart encourages tipping as a way to show shoppers appreciation and recognition for excellent service. 100% of your tip goes directly to the shopper delivering your order.
The default tip is 5%, or it can be the percentage you chose for your most recent order, with a minimum suggestion of $2 per individual store delivery. Tips are optional and may be adjusted up to 24 hours after your delivery is complete.
You can modify the tip both while placing an order and after delivery is complete.
In the app
Tap Account
Your orders
Choose your recent order
Tap Rate order
You can rate any replacements if applicable, and select a tip
On the website
Log in and click Account
Click Your orders
Click Rate & Tip
Communicating With The Shopper
When I have had my orders delivered, it went smoothly most of the time.
Instacart suggests you download the app. I have not done so. I like to order online and track my order through my account and text messages with the shopper.
The Instacart app lets you track your personal Shopper’s progress and view item changes. Turn on notifications to get alerts for all changes, including replacements and refunds.
If your personal Shopper hasn’t begun your order, you can update your order in the Order page. If your Shopper has already started working on your order, you can Chat with them for assistance.
Since I do not use the app, I receive a text that alerts me when the shopper begins shopping. There is a link to the text that directs me to the website. I either communicate through the website or text, to make any changes to my order.
Ordering groceries for delivery has been easy. There was one time, the shopper was not communicating well. Instacart issued a $10 credit to my account, for the inconvenience.
If you are trying ways to shop for groceries and stay safe, try Instacart. Click here to start shopping.
