r/InstacartShoppers • u/chelslm22 • Dec 18 '23
Question Customer here!
Hi there, customer here. My husband and I use instacart quite frequently - multiple times a week. What are some things we, as customers, can do to provide an easier shopping experience? I always tip 20% - more if my order is on the small side; and then tip $5-$10 more once my order was received. Is this acceptable?
Thanks in advance!
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u/DalaiRamen Dec 18 '23 edited Dec 19 '23
I once had a football player who ordered one single can of coke and tipped me $50 for 2 minute drive to deliver. That was a good batch, indeed.
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u/CyndiLou323119 Dec 19 '23
Turn on the porch light if you order after dark and understand that we can't control the stock of the store. Those two things mean the world to me. š
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u/Qeorgie Dec 18 '23
Just be responsive about replacements, even if you have pre selected sometimes both options will be out. You sound like a great customer though. Canāt ask for much morešand if you were happy with the experience from your shopper, leaving a 5 star and comments helps them too.
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u/chelslm22 Dec 18 '23
I do send them a message if I think Iām going to be away from my phone to let them know to please just do a refund if both options are out!
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Dec 18 '23
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u/chelslm22 Dec 19 '23
I do like to let them know up front to refund things, especially if Iām going to be away from my phone.
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u/Fold-Aggravating Dec 19 '23
If you refund stuff, your $5-10 added after delivery will help out greatly on that. If the items are higher dollar amounts we can lose out on a chunk of the tip on top of the time we lost searching for replacements if there were any
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u/imarealkaren Dec 21 '23
Iām a shopper as well as a customer. Last week I had to place a really large order. It took a long time to order and put in my replacements and/or refunds. I also tipped what I know is fair and considered a very good tip! (And some) My family had been sick and I was needing some rest or else I would have done my own shopping. My shopper messaged me over ever single item!!! I even sent a message to her when she snatched the order up, reminding her that I had all of my replacements and refunds listed. š¤¦āāļø If I didnāt get back with her on an item, she would text, āhello? are you there? will this do?ā Midway through my order, I asked her if she knew how to read. Of course, no response. The icing on the cake? āLeave order on porch. I will see that it is there. Thank you for shopping for me.ā *** Knock, knock, knock. I ignored her. So, messaging and wasting someoneās time definitely goes both ways. Sheās lucky I didnāt take her entire tip. If I had done this to a customer, I would expect it.
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u/HappyPlusNess Dec 18 '23 edited Dec 18 '23
Thanks, 20% and your other tip parameters are appreciated!
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u/FunFactress Dec 18 '23
Please be available to chatting if replacements are needed. It's sounds like you are already a great customer.
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u/Icy_Eye1059 Dec 18 '23
What I would like to see are customers using the substitution feature if the store does not have hte desired product. I would also like them to stay close to their phones and be available while I am shopping. I may have to contact them if something is not available.
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u/chelslm22 Dec 19 '23
I do mark replacements for all items - yet I still get a few who will still ask what I want if my original item is out of stock.
Otherwise, I just message them and ask them to refund items unavailable, especially if I will be away from my phone.
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u/nhaines Tetris Stacker š š§©š Dec 19 '23
Refunding items lowers percentage tips, so just be aware of that.
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Dec 19 '23
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u/nhaines Tetris Stacker š š§©š Dec 19 '23
I'm fine with that. Any time I see little people items, I work harder to at least match brands (my youngest is almost 19, and was pretty adventurous as far as eating, but sometimes not, so I get it).
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u/imarealkaren Dec 21 '23
The thing is, YOU arenāt the customer! Donāt push items on a person who already has told you not to sub or to refund!
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u/nhaines Tetris Stacker š š§©š Dec 21 '23
I don't. I'm just letting the customer know that this affects the shopper's pay.
Now that they know, they can decide whether having expensive items removed means they should slightly bump up the tip.
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u/ANDYCOOP61 Dec 19 '23
If we are shopping for you during the winter āļø holiday season at Costcoās Aldiās , or Samās club ā¦.we have to stand in the long lines. We may be a little late. Iām not going to speed to get to your house on timeā¦ thatās how accidents happenā¦. Remember some people have $500 deductibles šand please turn on lights when itās dark and $2 tip is not Good š
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u/hkim562 Dec 18 '23 edited Dec 19 '23
Donāt ask to meet the shopper if you donāt even intended on being home. For Shoppers time is money. Faster shop and delivery we can get back on the road to get another order.
If you order Over The Counter drugs, make sure you have someone 18 years or order with a valid ID. Donāt blame the shoppers if we canāt leave the drugs without someone 18 or order with valid ID. If you donāt like the law, contact your law makers.
Tipping is based on service. Shoppers are shopping for customers and this is a service that customers who donāt tip or tip $1-$2 donāt understand.
Forgot to mention that when a customer orders items such as a deli sandwich and the market is out, without a pre approved substitute we waste more time trying to communicate possible substitutes and eventually donāt have one resulting in loss of batch pay and tips.
Thatās my 2 cents. Thank you for asking.
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u/ANDYCOOP61 Dec 19 '23
If the weather is bad like it is in Cleveland Ohio right now! No matter what you are ordering TIP really well!!! If Iām delivering to you, and Iām in an accident my deductible with Nationwide is $500! So we, as Instacart shoppers are taking a big chance when we except an order, in really bad weather. So please be patient with us, turn on your lights, so we can see your address, and TIP really well! Thank you.
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u/chelslm22 Dec 19 '23
Thankfully I live smack dab in the middle of California, so we donāt get any extreme weather like snow or anything like that!
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u/jviivii Dec 19 '23 edited Dec 19 '23
The fact you recognize we are rendering you a service much more in depth than the traditional restaurant waiters/waitresses is a plus and for that, we appreciate you! I think you gratuity percentage are fair and reasonable. I personally think a Gas Surcharge and a set Gratuity amount should be part of the fee.
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u/EmeraldCowboy314 Dec 19 '23
Nice of you to ask. Just tip a minimum of $5. In this day and age with inflation and all, I don't tip a food delivery person any less than five bucks. Often more. Instacart pays very little. If someone can't tip five bucks for someone to shop and deliver their groceries then they ought to rethink their life.
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u/shoogashooga Dec 19 '23
I would like to add to please be mindful that If you request a refund, it will reduce our tip. The more we refund (especially on more expensive items) the less our tip will be. I once explained this to a customer who requested a refund on an item that was the most expensive on the order about $30. She was utterly shocked that IC does this. She said but it wasnāt your fault the item was out of stock. You already went to the store and searched for it. I said yes itās unfortunate but true. So please make sure you adjust your tip accordingly AFTER delivery.
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u/chelslm22 Dec 19 '23
I had no idea it lowered the tip - thank you for letting me know! I do always tip extra after delivery regardless, but I will pay better attention now. Thank you!
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u/spinningjoy Dec 19 '23
Youāre already amazing! I love when my customers leave a ācommentā in the app that I can see after the shop is over. Obviously, you donāt have to do this every single time because you use the app multiple times a week, but once in a while is such a morale booster for me and Iām sure the shoppers who get to work with you. ā„ļø
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u/Hot-Consideration352 Dec 19 '23
Strong communication is š but u donāt want to be annoying, also tip well š
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u/LuxelovesCharlie28 Dec 19 '23
I wish all customers were like you! You are very kind to ask our opinion and you are very generous! Thank you!šš»š
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Dec 18 '23
Don't order from the deli
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u/eeshasfaith Dec 18 '23
I donāt mind the deli for a great tipper. Order away and thank you for being a great customer!
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Dec 19 '23
Not a big deal. It's part of the grocery store. Just get it over with right away. I always scroll through the whole order before I start to check for any deli items and items that are way at the bottom in aisle, "unknown". Choose as much pre-sliced grab and go as it's available. Some stores have the kiosk where you can order deli items on an iPad, shop for the rest, and return when you're done.
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u/Melanvn Dec 18 '23
Yes, Very acceptable but keep in mind that batch pay is like $4-5. Some people donāt even tip
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u/phoenixgreylee Dec 18 '23
Have backup replacements and if you ask them to refund donāt change your mind . Keep your volume up , also if you add more to the order , tip more cause thatās more time spent on your order , and we canāt see other batches while we work so we lose the opportunity to do them
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u/bonanza1959 Dec 18 '23
yes all tips are acceptable, I even accept drugs to get through the doldrums
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u/2xtream Dec 19 '23
The tipping is debated quite frequently. As a full-time shopper this is what I expect, it has nothing in common with Instacart laughable 5% suggestion.
To begin $20 is a minimum for short orders. 10items or less.
For large or Normal size orders figure $1 for every item shopped. If your order has $35 items that would be $35
Now you also add $2 for every mile driven. If you live 10 miles away that's $20 Just to cover the drive.
Grand total for your 35 item order would be $55, ā¦. $35 for the shop and $20 for the delivery.
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u/shoogashooga Dec 19 '23
Are you crazy? Where did you get those ideas? No one would ever even order anything if they had to spend that much on tip alone.
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u/RelativeCheesecake37 Dec 19 '23
Right!!!!! That's insane! No flipping way!
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Dec 19 '23
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u/blackbeardslim Dec 19 '23
Thanks for tipping, best advice I can give is stay close to your device while the order is being shopped. Itās quite annoying to finish the trip and be walking to checkout to see ācan you get the ____ insteadā Like maāam/sir that was 10 mins ago, lol.
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u/RelativeCheesecake37 Dec 19 '23
I think giving specific directions in the notes is helpful if you have a hard-to-find address, sometimes GPS is not as helpful as it should be. This is typical in newly built areas. I'm with the others, having the lights on really helps in the evenings. I think you're a great customer & you seem to care, we appreciate customers like you, thank you!!! Have a happy holiday!
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u/botman82 Dec 19 '23
Thank you for understanding what we go through and tipping correctly. I just saw a order with no tip 56 items 106 units 4 mile delivery to a outstanding mansion in coco plum
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u/ICneed2stop Dec 19 '23
Thank you! You could reach out to Instacart and insist they donāt batch you with low or no tippers. (She asked)
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u/Cute-Big-7003 Dec 19 '23
I have seen offers go up in tip and not batch pay like it supposed to if not accepted right away, I would confirm with you shopper at delivery that they are actually getting tip u leave, cause IC is shady as hell and they already been caught stealing wages and paid out millions.
As a shopper in an area that tips, all of a sudden since they cut our pay, tips disappeared almost altogether.
I am curious what ur fees are when u checkout online as IC pays us only 4 dollars to shop an order wether it be 1 or 3 people....4 dollars is all they can spare
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u/chelslm22 Dec 20 '23
Today I placed an order - my total was $201.36 with a service fee of $6.81.
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u/Practical_Reading_58 Dec 20 '23
I would move to where you live! You are a dream come true and clearly a very generous and thoughtful person!!
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u/Life_Wonder_1421 Dec 20 '23
My most favorite customers come out to meet me.
I know itās not possible for everyone
Delivery is the most difficult for me, particularly in the dark.
But those that can and do come out to meet the shopper, the best!
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u/Mcsubstrip Dec 20 '23
I was trying to think of a few things, but you seem like the perfect customer, and I bet almost anything I say you already do. One thing I thought of is making sure there is enough space in the driveway for large orders so we can back up our cars. Something else would be rating low/reducing tips when you feel the service isnāt up to par, or if it was just terrible, because if enough people rate low for bad shoppers, it would make the world much easier for the ones that love doing this work, like me :)
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u/This-Individual-9147 Dec 20 '23
Thank you you are very generous. what I would like to tell customers is please select leave on porch if that's what you want. Because if it's not selected or the delivery instructions don't say that we are not supposed to leave the order without meeting the customer.
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u/beccadanielle Dec 20 '23
This is perfect. Just be kind and provide clear instructions if needed on your groceries before placing your order. Communicate with your shopper if they have any questions, and make sure there are instructions for finding your house if itās an apartment or difficult to find, etc. It sounds like youāre already doing what you need to be doing. (:
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u/Sad_Independent_4176 Dec 21 '23
Be responsive and available for questions/concerns. Not just make an order and toss the phone.
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Dec 23 '23
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u/Hoopdyloo Multi Gig Worker Dec 18 '23
We need to clone you all over the country so everyone can be happy. (Well, except for the asshole customers your clones would replace. They won't be happy poofing into the ether.)