topic Re: Have you ever heard of Instacart? in Community Chat

Have you ever heard of Instacart?

Katcat1 — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 19:28:51 GMT

I am not sure if this is local or nationwide. They shop for your groceries and deliver them. Okay, I place an order today and I receive a confirmation and then another email that the groceries have been delivered. No groceries at my door. The person delivering the groceries never called but instead I replied to an email from Instacart that I did not receive my groceries and was told that this delivery person (their employee) left the groceries in 1st hallway which is not heated and it is 10 degrees outside. This is the last time I do business with this co. I have had problems in the past (different from today) and gave them another chance -- no more.

Re: Have you ever heard of Instacart?

itsmetoo — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 19:36:25 GMT

@Katcat1

I had bad experiences two out of the three times I've used them and haven't used them since. I'm not a fan.

Re: Have you ever heard of Instacart?

SilleeMee — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 19:39:17 GMT

I'm not a fan either and besides they end up costing me a lot more than going curbside. I'm more about saving money safely....forget the convenience.

Re: Have you ever heard of Instacart?

Janey2 — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 19:42:14 GMT

I have been using instacart since last March. Never had a problem. If there is a question while they are shopping they text me. When they are leaving the store and are on the way I get another text.

Re: Have you ever heard of Instacart?

silkyk — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 19:45:59 GMT

Not instacart but I ordered from my usual market and instead of their delivery truck my groceries were delivered by a lyft/uber driver (don't know which). My stuff was just stacked in his back seat and it was hot that day so frozen stuff was defrosting. On top of that 2 items (frozen dinners) were missing which I didn' notice till the next day. Then he asked for ID and grabbed my DL and then his phone and took a pic of it.He said he needed it because there was beer in my order. Was NOT happy about that at all. Anyone else ever have this happen? Now I make sure I tell them I want my groceries delivered by THEIR delivery man in THEIR refrigerator truck ONLY!

Re: Have you ever heard of Instacart?

gidgetgh — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 19:48:21 GMT

I've used Instacart several times. 15 maybe? I started during the lockdown in March.

I think they serve a purpose. If I'm sick and can't get out, they'll deliver my groceries to me. Can't beat that. It's more expensive, but it's convenient.

As a whole, I'd prefer to do my own shopping.

Re: Have you ever heard of Instacart?

chrystaltree — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 19:49:32 GMT

I have used it many times, I use it when I just need a few things right a way. Like if I plan to cook something and I don't have all of the ingredients or if I run out of toothpaste or dishwasher detergent. I think you problem was that you were looking at the emails when you should have been looking at the app. If you had been looking at the app or your text messages, you would have known when she dropped off your groceries and where she put them. Also I believe you can track delivery in real time on the app so you can track where they are and when they get to your house.

Re: Have you ever heard of Instacart?

drizzellla — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 19:50:56 GMT

Did you get your food order?

I read this yesterday -

Acme Discontinues Instacart, Forms Own Shopping-Delivery Platform
Acme’s move to establish and bring in-house the shopping system comes as Instacart said it expected to reduce its in-store shopping jobs by 1,900, according to a recent report in The Wall Street Journal

FYI - Acme is a local grocery store. Maybe your grocery's were delivered by a soon to be unemployed Instacart employee.

Re: Have you ever heard of Instacart?

Kachina624 — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 19:53:21 GMT

Some people swear by this service and don't seem to have problems with them. However, I've read so many complaints about them cheating customers or doing unacceptable things, that I'd steer clear of them. Walmart pick up service suits me just fine.

Re: Have you ever heard of Instacart?

NicksmomESQ — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 19:57:00 GMT

I used them a few times last Spring.I'm not a fan. How satisfied you are has to do with your shopper. I used them about 4 times. I was only happy with the experience once.

Overall I was unhappy with the substitutions & the quality of the fresh fruit & vegetables.

Another issue for me was I felt they were expensive. I found that sometimes they charge more for the items. Then they charge a delivery fee of $5-$10, a service charge of 20% & a tip for 20%.
I found a local supermarket that delivers for free if your order is $100.You tip whatever you like when you receive it. If I have a problem with the substitutions, which rarely happens, I call & get an immediate refund.If I have coupons the delivery driver takes them & by the end of the day my account is credited.

Re: Have you ever heard of Instacart?

Spurt — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 20:05:30 GMT

@Katcat1

Ive used Instacart for two years now, even before the pandemic.... Im in Texas and have always gotten excellent service.... You have to pay attention and be alert to the APP while they shop, they use the APP, and text instead of calling ....

I always indicate a replacement item when I place my order in case my first choice is out of stock.....If they dont have either then they take a photo of what they have on the shelf put it on the App and text me.....and ask if I want a replacement or a refund...

When they are on their way they text an expected time of arrival and theres even a gps map that shows you where they are in route to your house, when the groceries are delivered they take a photo of the delivered groceries left by my door and put it on the APP and leave a text. In the delivery instructions I tell them to also knock on the door which they do......

Re: Have you ever heard of Instacart?

songbird — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 20:23:41 GMT

I've been with about 9 months now. I order weekly. Have never had any problems. There an app you download on your cell phone. It's also on your desktop. The shopper will notify you when he is ready to shop. You keep in touch with your shopper by messaging. You stay with your shopper the entire time. They let you know when they are finished. Although you can put your substitutions ahead of time when you make your shopping list, you can also tell the shopper what to to get if you don't see your item you requested. You are notified when the food arrives. There is a customer service number. And so far they seem pretty good. Some people hate them, others love them. I love them.

I think the OP did not pay attention and keep in touch with the shopper. You don't leave it alone and wait till the food arrives. You stay in contact with the shopper. The shopper always contacts you. It up to you stay with the shopper and watch what food items he puts in your cart. I started with them when the pandemic started and I'm staying with them long after it's over. Besides instacart, there are several rival companies you can try. Instacart selects the stores near you and gives you an option of at least 8 stores. I'm very happy Instacart picked Wegmans for me. A huge store (similar to Publix) with a wide veriety of food in stock. They re great for me because I work from home. I don't have to time to do the food shopping I want to do.

I always know when the shopper is finished and is arriving at my house. He notifies me. I always tell them to leave it on my porch. I am always home when the food arrives.

Re: Have you ever heard of Instacart?

Etoile308 — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 20:15:09 GMT

I think Instacart serves a purpose for people without a vehicle, disabled, or recoving from something. I've never used them. They seem like a good alternative if you're home bound and don't want to rely on family or friends. Unless you're in a security building leaving the groceries somewhere other than your door does not sound acceptable to me.

I do curbside pickup and alternate between local grocery store and WalMart, because some items you need aren't carried at a grocery store. For example, Walmart finally got the sized furnace filter I needed back in stock.

If I've not reach the required minimum needed for free curbside pickup I simply add a gift card to my cart, either their own card, Amazon, iTunes, something I know I'll always use. Another advantage of curbside is that it gets me out of the house. I look forward to that and plan my pickups around the weather forecast. That's the day I drop off mail at the post office, or pickup prescriptions. Then I take a different route home just for a change of scenery and to see what businesses still exist.

Re: Have you ever heard of Instacart?

Katcat1 — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 20:27:30 GMT

@chrystaltree @Spurt I don't have an App but I do have COPD. I can't carry the groceries from the street to my apt. Instructions were given and this person was too lazy to deliver to my apt. It's 10 degrees outside so that also makes my COPD worse. I will be using my local grocery service from this point on and not Instacrap.

Re: Have you ever heard of Instacart?

Spurt — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 21:53:31 GMT

@Katcat1 wrote:
@chrystaltree @Spurt I don't have an App but I do have COPD. I can't carry the groceries from the street to my apt. Instructions were given and this person was too lazy to deliver to my apt. It's 10 degrees outside so that also makes my COPD worse. I will be using my local grocery service from this point on and not Instacrap.

@Katcat1

You have to use the app or Instacart's website
(from a laptop or PC) to have Instacart work smoothly and the way it was meant to. They now even have a special number set up to help you with an order and walk you through the process.

As far as not following delivery instructions I hope you called Instacart and told them about that.....

Good luck on the local grocery service, a friend uses Favor a local service or Shipt and she's had a lot of problems, they picked some of the strangest things as replacements for her original items and didnt even ask her or left off items from her grocery list and didnt even ask about a replacement. She went with another service since it was cheaper and you do get what you pay for.....

Re: Have you ever heard of Instacart?

Bridgegal — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 20:39:30 GMT

@itsmetoo wrote:
@Katcat1

I had bad experiences two out of the three times I've used them and haven't used them since. I'm not a fan.

Same here. I found that if you want specific name brand items, it works OK. But for produce, meat, chicken etc, not so much. I had a small packet of small prepared celery pieces on my list. They were out so the shopper put the biggest bunch of celery in the store in my cart. There were far too many examples like this. I wanted collard greens, I got red chard???? I wanted a bag of hard old fashioned Xmas candy, Kind bars.

One order was two hours late with no notification from the delivery woman. Another order, the shopper never texted me about replacements. He just decided himself and put it in the cart. Some weren't even close, like the above Kind bars for Xmas candy.

One time the driver brought 2 bags and the 3rd about 20 minutes later.

I cancelled. I'll just do my own shopping.

Re: Have you ever heard of Instacart?

Spurt — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 20:52:03 GMT

@Bridgegal wrote:
@itsmetoo wrote:
@Katcat1

I had bad experiences two out of the three times I've used them and haven't used them since. I'm not a fan.
Same here. I found that if you want specific name brand items, it works OK. But for produce, meat, chicken etc, not so much. I had a small packet of small prepared celery pieces on my list. They were out so the shopper put the biggest bunch of celery in the store in my cart. There were far too many examples like this. I wanted collard greens, I got red chard???? I wanted a bag of hard old fashioned Xmas candy, Kind bars.

One order was two hours late with no notification from the delivery woman. Another order, the shopper never texted me about replacements. He just decided himself and put it in the cart. Some weren't even close, like the above Kind bars for Xmas candy.

One time the driver brought 2 bags and the 3rd about 20 minutes later.

I cancelled. I'll just do my own shopping.

@Bridgegal

It must be the requirements the grocery store chain sets with Instcart and the training the shoppers get. HEB is our grocery store chain and they are very particular about anyone hired that represents their store in any way---whether its one of their employees or a contractor....

Shoppers have always shown me a picture of any replacement and I have to approve or disapprove and I can text them to let them know thats not what I want. I bet that shopper didnt know what collard greens were and shouldve taken a picture and asked if this was the correct item. And they've shown me the produce and meat and price per pound on the meat and asked me for approval.....

One Shopper even texted me there was an accident on the route and there would be a slight delay on the delivery....(she was already ahead of schedule so she still got to my house on time).....thats the service Im talking about....

Sounds like the Instacart Shoppers in your area are poorly trained. Most Shoppers say they want to provide you with excellent service to earn the 5 star rating so they get a special bonus....it sounds like yours dont give a darn!

Re: Have you ever heard of Instacart?

Bridgegal — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 20:56:38 GMT

@Spurt

I agree. The first experience went just like it was supposed to. Shopper texted me to OK replacements and delivery was in the requested time slot.

After that, it was a disaster.

If you have HEB, you may have Market Street, a part of the Albertsons group. That was the store. I've switched to Sprouts for most of my shopping. I might try Instacart with them after I learn the store and brands.

Re: Have you ever heard of Instacart?

haddon9 — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 21:02:44 GMT

I've actually used it several times for my mother. She just doesn't text and it was too confusing for her so she gave me her shopping list and other information.

I'm in PA and she's in FL so I did the Instacart through her local Publix market. As soon as I filled everything out someone texted to let me know that they had started to shop. I got texts to let me know if items weren't in stock and if I would approve substitutions or not.

The order was delivered within two hours. Overall my mother was pleased but she still prefers to choose her own groceries.

Re: Have you ever heard of Instacart?

Spurt — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 21:18:13 GMT

@Bridgegal wrote:
@Spurt

I agree. The first experience went just like it was supposed to. Shopper texted me to OK replacements and delivery was in the requested time slot.

After that, it was a disaster.

If you have HEB, you may have Market Street, a part of the Albertsons group. That was the store. I've switched to Sprouts for most of my shopping. I might try Instacart with them after I learn the store and brands.

@Bridgegal

Nope, we don't have Market Street nor Alberton's you see HEB undercut all the major chains (Albertsons, Krogers etc) and drove them out of our city......all thats left is Walmart, Super Target, Costco, Sams, Natural Grocers, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Trader Joes..We never had Aldis, Wegmans or Publix...Basically, its either HEB or Walmart for most grocery shopers....Although Costco also does a booming business...

This is from January 2020--Texas' favorite grocery store has dethroned Trader Joe's as the top retailer in the country! For the first time, H-E-B was rated as the number one grocery store after a nationwide study.