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Instacart Review

Top10.com Staff

In a Nutshell

Instacart is an online grocery delivery service available in thousands of cities across the US and Canada. The service offers its customers the opportunity to get shopping from local stores delivered to their door within a set time frame at a time that is convenient to them. Same day ordering is also available. Customers can download the app, too, making it even easier.

pros

  • Personal shopper selects items based on preferences
  • Offers delivery at your door option
  • Get same-day delivery in as little as an hour

cons

  • Not yet available in every location
  • Items can be more expensive

Instacart Instacart Visit Site

Instacart at a Glance

Service offered: Online Grocery Delivery

Price per delivery: From $3.99 per delivery for orders $35+ 

Delivery options: Same day, within selected time frame

Subscription options: $99 yearly subscription with free delivery on orders over $35 

What’s Unique About Instacart?

Instacart is a great online delivery service for busy people. Its personal shoppers will shop in local stores for you and deliver your products to your door. The shoppers can be in touch with you while shopping in order to check with you about any products not available and what substitutions you'd like to make. They can get your products from different stores. So, if you want one product from one store and then other products from other stores, you can do so with Instacart. This saves you time and the need to use different online methods.

How It Works

To get started on Instacart, you need to go onto their website and type in your zip code, and it will show all the stores you can order from. You select the store you want to order from, and then you just start ordering.

One of the great things with Instacart is that if you have ordered from them previously, you will see your order history. This makes it easy to select the items that you buy regularly. There's a search bar, so it is easy to type in what you want and then add it to your cart. The site clearly shows items on sale and offers that they have available.

Once you have placed all the items in your cart, you can review your items and amend or add comments specifying your requirements. For example, if you want ripe or underripe fruit, you can be very detailed. Adding your instructions is straightforward; all you need to do is click on instructions by each item and then type in and save. Orders must reach $10 to be eligible for delivery. 

At checkout, you'll be asked to choose a delivery time - you can generally get a delivery slot as soon as one hour from the time of ordering, but you can pick a time that's convenient for you. They have also now introduced the option of leaving your groceries by your door, so you can avoid face-to-face contact if that's your preference.

There is a 5% service charge that you can opt-out of, just before you finish processing your order and complete payment. Once your order is placed, you 'll get a confirmation that the order has gone through. If you download the app, your personal shopper will be able to communicate with you more easily, as there is a chat option. It's also available on the website but is much more convenient to use on the app. You will get a message just before the groceries are due to arrive, as well.

Pricing


Over $35*
Under $35*
1-hour Delivery
$7.99
$11.99
Regular Delivery
$3.99
$9.99
Express Membership
Free
$9.99

How quickly you want to get your groceries will determine how much your delivery will cost. The express membership is an annual charge of $99 or a monthly charge of $9.99 but allows you to get free deliveries. And considering a lot of people order groceries at least once a week, it can be a huge savings. There is a 14-day trial period to try it out and see if it is for you.

*Fees vary for 1-hour delivery and orders under $35. The above figures 

Be aware that some stores may have a slight mark up on their prices, so you should check before you buy.

Instacart Instacart Visit Site

Help & Support

Instacart customer support offers great service with an online help center, and they are very responsive. If you do not want to use their online help center, you have two other ways of contacting them, either by email to help@instacart.com or by telephone at 1-888-246-7822.

Bottom Line

Instacart is a great choice for people who lead busy lives and don't have the time to spend going to grocery stores and shopping around or aren't able to get out. It provides a personal shopper to do that for you. The service is available in most cities throughout the US and Canada and works with local stores.

Top10.com's editorial staff is a professional team of editors and writers with dozens of years of experience covering consumer, financial and business products and services.

Instacart customer reviews

Based on 21 reviews

Ease of use

Brand satisfaction

Value for money

Service quality

Top Reviews

Ease of use

Brand satisfaction

Value for money

Service quality

a year ago

It's easy to use, I can find what I need. I would prefer to get my own groceries so I can pick my produce. I've used it once, and everything came quickly. All the food I ordered was there, and the driver left it outside my door as instructed.

a year ago

This was an easy service. The person fulfilling my cart wasn't the greatest and didn't get me the correct items. But the concept was nice and I would maybe do it again.

a year ago

Love the app and customer service. My shoppers have been awesome, they arrived as scheduled, plus found all of the grocery items I ordered.

a year ago

Very to use.If they didn't have the brand or size in the store they let you immediately and give you other alternatives.

a year ago

I love Instacart and they come to my house and they offer a great range of availability.

a year ago

It is convenient and easy to use. However, sometimes the shoppers do not ask before swapping or replacing items. I have had great experiences with it overall.

a year ago

I think that the platform itself is great but the drivers and shoppers are a bit questionable and you can easily be scammed.

a year ago

It makes it easier to order groceries especially because of the pandemic restrictions.

a year ago

It's nice to have since they go through most grocery stores and is convenient during the pandemic.

a year ago

It is a convenient way to shop, and I will continue to use it after COVID19.

a year ago

Good deal. Good prices. Fast shopping friendly service. Customer service was good. Refund was done correctly.

a year ago

It was easy to use and delivery was quick. I would use again. they were good communicator during the trip.

a year ago

They are convenient and make shopping easier, however there are often mistakes made during the shopping process and prices are a little high for the service.

a year ago

You order groceries from an app, they deliver it. What's not to like?! Though their pricing scheme is scandalous. I'm pretty sure they steal from me.

a year ago

Great selection of products and customer service. It can be more expensive than a Whole Foods order through Amazon Prime though.

a year ago

Instacart for me is a must simply because I know that when I check something I'll be give that item. a lot of services similar to instacart simple replace or supplement for the products without first contacting or every a courtesy text.

a year ago

Items are delivered at a discounted price fulfilling my needs at a timely manner.

a year ago

It's an ok app it helps when you can't get out and to the store to get the things you need.

a year ago

Tried this service. Not really my cup of tea. People use it because they are lazy. Apparently they are accepting snap as a form of payment now.

a year ago

I wish the people who are pulling your order would call you with issues for replacements.

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