topic Are you an instacart user? in Community Chat

Are you an instacart user?

wismiss — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 03:41:48 GMT

Just got my order delivered a little while ago. Got many of the items ordered, but no meat and no frozen fruit or frozen vegetables. Also, some types of bread (I wanted raisin bread and rye bread) were not delivered. I've never ordered from instacart before, so is that pretty normal? I'm not criticizing---just wonder if this is normal for instacart orders.

Re: Are you an instacart user?

DiAnne — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 03:48:19 GMT

I have been ordering through Instacart from Costco and a small local market the last couple of months. I have gotten everything I have ordered except on the last order I did not get eggs. Maybe you could try ordering from a different store.

Re: Are you an instacart user?

GenXmuse — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 03:48:18 GMT

Probably at this point. You'd run into the same thing if you went out shopping. They do their best but with inventory problems, incomplete orders are to be expected.

Re: Are you an instacart user?

pdlinda — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 03:50:22 GMT

@wismiss I've used Instacart in the past and found their delivery of fresh produce spotty at best (many times had to return the fruit/veg for exchange).

When the COVID situation arose, I decided to do my own shopping once a week. The only thing I couldn't manage were the gallons of spring water from Sprouts that I use each day.

So, 2 weeks ago I ordered a month's worth of spring water (30 gallons) from Sprouts using Instacart. Everything was delivered to my door and the delivery guy opened up the cartons and laid the gallons of water on a towel that I used to slide (too heavy to lift) to the place I keep all the water.

This week I decided to reorder 30 gallons of water again as I'm sensing supplies of essentials are dwindling. The latest 30 gallon delivery is tomorrow. I'm wondering if I'm going to get the order or whether the shopper is going to call me in the AM (delivery scheduled at 11 AM) and tell me they're out of water. I'm crossing my fingers that this doesn't happen; however, I'm prepared if it does because I still have 14 gallons of water left.

Re: Are you an instacart user?

NicksmomESQ — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 04:16:58 GMT

I just started using Instacart last week.I got 2 deliveries so far from a local market. The first delivery I got most of what I ordered with substitutions for some of the name brands. The second delivery I got about half of what I ordered.

Next weekend I'm expecting a delivery from Costco.

My observation so far has been that the quality of your delivery depends on how good your shopper is.The first shopper worked hard to find the products I wanted.She did her best to find adequate substitutes. The second shopper really wasn't that interested. He seemed a bit annoyed when I wouldn't approve some of his substitutes, which didn't come close to the item originally requested.Like instead of toilet paper he wanted to substitute facial tissues, & instead of corn muffins he wanted to substitute bagels!!

There is a local Supermarket that does direct delivery. They also have delivered groceries to me in the last few weeks.They are out of stuff too.But they do a much better job of picking quality produce & making spot on substitutions.

The problem is it's difficult to secure a delivery time.All these places are backed up for at least 2 weeks.This virus is overloading the system.So I order from several sources to have more of a chance of getting all that I want.

When this mess is over I'm going to go back to doing my own shopping.I like it better!!

Re: Are you an instacart user?

SunSprite — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 08:20:35 GMT

@wismiss I've now used Instacart 3 times. In my area the only grocery store they are affiliated with is Publix, but that's ok because I prefer that store.

I think everyone's experiences will probably differ due to availability of products and depending on the shopper you are assigned.

I have been extremely fortunate with the shoppers I have had. They are super responsive and communicate with me throughout their shopping. My first shopper is still my favorite though! Not only did we chat, she sent me pictures from the store and twice found me cheaper prices on a similar product (lol not to mention the powdered doughnuts that I hadn't asked for but were on special, and well the picture sold them).

I've either received the original product I requested or a very acceptable substitute. If there is something that I absolutely do not want another brand/option I mark it that way on my list.

I do not believe I will continue to be as fortunate as more product becomes affected by the supply chain, but I will continue to use Instacart. I have an autoimmune disease, as well as a couple of other factors and am high risk. I also live alone. Instacart prevents me from having to go into a store and I am grateful.

(I'm also tipping them well)

Re: Are you an instacart user?

songbird — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 10:15:07 GMT

I've used it only once. Got everything I wanted except no eggs. I have an app they told me to download. They notify you as they pick and pack the food,, letting you know if items are not there or suggested substitutes. Like Amazon tons of people are now ordering from instacart. I joined instacart express for the free delivery. For me, I was happy I got Wegmans and Giant amog the stoes I could pick.. There are others stores including Aldi, but I love Wegmans.

Re: Are you an instacart user?

AngelPuppy1 — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 10:50:35 GMT

Used it once for Aldi and all was there. Have another order coming today and anxious to see what will or will not come. Yes, as time goes on, delivery time gets longer and longer, which is understandable, so we have to order accordingly, and be ready for that.

Re: Are you an instacart user?

jackthebear — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 14:35:21 GMT

@pdlinda wrote:
@wismiss I've used Instacart in the past and found their delivery of fresh produce spotty at best (many times had to return the fruit/veg for exchange).

When the COVID situation arose, I decided to do my own shopping once a week. The only thing I couldn't manage were the gallons of spring water from Sprouts that I use each day.

So, 2 weeks ago I ordered a month's worth of spring water (30 gallons) from Sprouts using Instacart. Everything was delivered to my door and the delivery guy opened up the cartons and laid the gallons of water on a towel that I used to slide (too heavy to lift) to the place I keep all the water.

This week I decided to reorder 30 gallons of water again as I'm sensing supplies of essentials are dwindling. The latest 30 gallon delivery is tomorrow. I'm wondering if I'm going to get the order or whether the shopper is going to call me in the AM (delivery scheduled at 11 AM) and tell me they're out of water. I'm crossing my fingers that this doesn't happen; however, I'm prepared if it does because I still have 14 gallons of water left.

brita filter? any reason you need to order water

I don't like the taste of the water here, but just filter with the Brita filter.

Re: Are you an instacart user?

jackthebear — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 14:37:29 GMT

I never have, but my daughter does a lot

the selection of stores here isn't that great, I wanted to use it for Costco but it's not available in my town

and the weird thing is some of the other stores are 20-30 mins away, a store I would never go to when there are at least 6 groceries within 5 miles

Re: Are you an instacart user?

meem120 — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 15:28:01 GMT

Instacart is interactive. If you go to their website under your account, you can see when they start shopping and see exactly what they are putting in your basket. For instance i wanted walnuts, they were out my shopper told me, she asked did I want something else, I said almonds, she sent me pics of the almonds and I picked out the ones I wanted. I thought it was just fabulous. I wanted bananas and they were out, I said clementines and she sent me a picture also. I didnt like them so I said no. I use them alot!

Re: Are you an instacart user?

Hoovermom — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 15:55:23 GMT

I have been an Instacart user for the past two years without any problems until the last two orders. Each shopper before has always sent me pictures, asked managers at the store for items that weren't on the shelf, and offered substitutions. Yesterday I ordered groceries and over half of the items were not available. The shopper never offered any substitutions and I asked him to go to the freezer section for some vegetables. When he didn't respond I asked him to please answer my questions. I received a harsh response that "I didn't ask him but told him to go to the freezer section". He rang me up for items that I did not receive. One thing with Instacart is that you can look at your receipt. Where did those items go? It makes you wonder about the integrity of the shopper as I have NEVER had this happen to me before. The wait time to chat with Instacart was over 5 hours. I understand their demand at this time so emailed them. Again, I have never had a rude shopper like this. I cancelled my membership and will use Shipt (have membership) from now on.

Re: Are you an instacart user?

busymom22 — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 16:03:56 GMT

I've used it twice. First time it was for Sam's Club and it worked well. Got just about everything in my order.

Second time was for Costco and it was a mess. The Instacart system crashed, and my shopper couldn't get payment to go through at the store. He texted me that my order would have to be cancelled. I begged him if I could pay him separately and he was kind enough to cancel my order and allow payment (probably not with the rules but I was desperate). The problem was that the order was never cancelled and another shopper picked up my order so there was a duplicate. I ended up taking that same order and selling it to my sister. I was on hold for literally 2 hours, trying to make sure there wouldn't be a 3rd duplicate order as the website showed order still in process. In the end it worked out but the surcharges are pretty high.