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Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,616
Registered: ‎05-15-2016

Re: For those of you who have Instacart Express

I found it was more cost effective to sign up for the year. Even before the virus I used them twice a week. 

Valued Contributor
Posts: 942
Registered: ‎01-03-2011

Re: For those of you who have Instacart Express

I signed up for a year and my biggest mistake was not doing it sooner.  I have used only Instacart since mid March for my shopping.  There are a lot of stores in my area available -- regular supermarkers -- more upscale specialty stores -- Costco -- BJ's.  I don't think I will ever go to Costco again.   Much easier to get bulk items delivered.  As I said on another thread -- I have always been leery about food delivery because I am very picky about the quality of friuts and vegetables.  I have not gotten one item so far that I would not have chosen myself.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 21,733
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: For those of you who have Instacart Express


@GenXmuse wrote:

I found it was more cost effective to sign up for the year. Even before the virus I used them twice a week. 


@GenXmuse, it certainly is handy, especially right now. But even paying monthly, I can use it as often as I want. The only difference between the two plans is that you get a small break for signing up for the yearly. I did waver back and forth but ended up wanting the option to stop if I wanted to. I really do prefer doing the shopping myself, so I'm hoping that I might feel safe to resume that in a while.


~Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle~ Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Honored Contributor
Posts: 34,934
Registered: ‎03-20-2010

Re: For those of you who have Instacart Express

[ Edited ]

@suzyQ3 

 

I tried it for a couple months and then decided to go with the annual subscription, and have been a subcriber for the last 2 years. 

 

I have been very pleased with the service, I always include replacement items in my order, and my Shopper has communicated well with me if neither was available. Even the produce the Shopper selected has been perfect. Yep, the tip adds to the cost, but I find that shopping with Instacart stops me from impulse buying because I stick with a menu and what I need....

 

Instacart is also worth it to me because it was getting harder for me to deal with the heavy items (like 30 lbs of kitty litter)....

Animals are reliable, full of love, true in their affections, grateful. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”
Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,281
Registered: ‎03-21-2010

Re: For those of you who have Instacart Express

[ Edited ]

I have Instacart Express.  I signed up right after the free trial.  I pay yearly.  I also plan to stay with Instacart once the pandemic is over.  I like it that much.  I've used it now abut 10 imes.  All except one was perfect.  And the one that was not, was mild.  One of my stores, Wegman is quite the distance form me. But they gave me the store and I love it.  It's quite large, with a lot of variety of foods.  I even like the prepared foods and purchased a couple of those For getting Wegman, Instacart was worth it..  I once had Amazon (nearly 3 years) but lost it when so many people got on it. My secret was gone! 

 

My shopper introduces his/herself and I keep in communication to approve or refund if items are not there. My shopper stays with me the entire time.  Tells me when he's finished and when he arrives with the food.  He or she always wears a mask and gloves. Everything comes in plastic bags. The app on my phone is terrific. Best investment this year for me.  I've become a cheer leader for Instacart.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,078
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: For those of you who have Instacart Express

I've used InstaCart 3 times.  Two of the three times did not go well.  I'm not a fan but because we are in the middle of a pandemic and I am high risk I will use them again.  On the other hand, I have used Walmart grocery pickup where they shop for you, you drive up, pop open your trunk, and they load your groceries.  I have used them many times with no problems at all.  I much perfer doing that.  Plus they don't jack up the prices like InstaCart does, there are no fees and (sadly) you are not allowed to tip the employees.

 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,546
Registered: ‎02-02-2015

Re: For those of you who have Instacart Express

The upcharges from instacart on grocery items really sours me on using the service.  I am mulling over going to the monthly fee if I want to continue using it.  

 

I had two shoppers from instacart that were pretty bad.  The others were ok.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,889
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

Re: For those of you who have Instacart Express


@DiAnne wrote:

I signed up for monthly because I thought it was going to be a short term thing.  Boy was I wrong.  I get a delivery every Friday.   I am going to leave it that way for now because I actually enjoy going to the store and hope to again someday!

 

I did not have any trouble with the replacements because when I made out the grocery list I put the sub I wanted or do not sub.  I have never had any trouble with that.


 

I did the same thing.  It was a big order, and it took a lot of time to indicate substitutions (or not).  But it made no difference.  The shopper texted me constantly throughout her trip thru the store, asking me what I wanted instead.  It was exhausting!  And then she messed up anyway and got things I never would have chosen for more money than I wanted to spend.  Choosing substitutions when I did the list was a total waste of time and energy.

 

It seems that some of us have had good experiences with Instacart, and others have not.  I love the idea of it, but had so many problems that unfortunately I'm in the "never again" category.  :-(

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,546
Registered: ‎02-02-2015

Re: For those of you who have Instacart Express

I ended my free trial for instacart express.  A local store had an opening for pickup and I used that.  How lucky I felt when I just had to pay a service fee and wasn't charged double or triple for my groceries.  

 

I will use instacart once in a while IF I am desperate.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 34,934
Registered: ‎03-20-2010

Re: For those of you who have Instacart Express


@NYC Susan wrote:

@DiAnne wrote:

I signed up for monthly because I thought it was going to be a short term thing.  Boy was I wrong.  I get a delivery every Friday.   I am going to leave it that way for now because I actually enjoy going to the store and hope to again someday!

 

I did not have any trouble with the replacements because when I made out the grocery list I put the sub I wanted or do not sub.  I have never had any trouble with that.


 

I did the same thing.  It was a big order, and it took a lot of time to indicate substitutions (or not).  But it made no difference.  The shopper texted me constantly throughout her trip thru the store, asking me what I wanted instead.  It was exhausting!  And then she messed up anyway and got things I never would have chosen for more money than I wanted to spend.  Choosing substitutions when I did the list was a total waste of time and energy.

 

It seems that some of us have had good experiences with Instacart, and others have not.  I love the idea of it, but had so many problems that unfortunately I'm in the "never again" category.  :-(


@NYC Susan 

 

Perhaps it has to do with the training, because Ive always gotten excellent shoppers, that picked up my recommended replacement or took a photo and showed me my options... Maybe it has to do with Instacarts partnership with the grocery store and the standards for shoppers that the grocery store requires Instacart to provide.....

One thing I do when the Shopper introduces themselves in chat ....I add a note to let them know I appreciate their service, and to just do the best they can with replacements, or if something is totally out of stock I understand....  I usually get a nice note back....and before they checkout they even stop to ask...anything else!!!  And usually the Shopper and Driver are one in the same...Instacart pays them more so maybe that makes a difference too....

 

I got a grocery store delivery last Thursday and the shopper was excellent ....I also add notes in addition to my replacements....

 

A friend tried the grocery stores own service called FAVOR for curbside pickup and she said it was awful....they didnt contact her about replacements just chose things at random....

Animals are reliable, full of love, true in their affections, grateful. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”

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