Community Chat

[Mindy D]

Hi All. I have used Instacart with Publix. Prices of each food item are considerably higher when I use them. When joining Instacart Express versus Instacart through Publix has anyone noticed a difference in prices or in the listing of available products. Instacart with Publix hides items that are in stock to display items that are currently featured at Publix. Thank you in advance.

[judy0330]

I used Instacart for the first time the other day.  The prices were the same as in the store I used and I got sale prices for any items on sale in the store.

"Being an Instacart Express member, you receive unlimited free deliveries on orders over $35, you won't be required to pay service fees on all orders, you can order from multiple stores at once without an additional charge, and you never have to pay for busy pricing during periods of high demand."

"Busy Pricing at Instacart. ... Our goal is to eliminate times when delivery is unavailable, so that Instacart is always reliable. If there are far more delivery requests than available Shoppers, Busy Pricing will add a small fee to the delivery cost. Busy Pricing only affects popular delivery times."

[Mindy D]

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@judy0330 wrote:

I used Instacart for the first time the other day.  The prices were the same as in the store I used and I got sale prices for any items on sale in the store.

"Being an Instacart Express member, you receive unlimited free deliveries on orders over $35, you won't be required to pay service fees on all orders, you can order from multiple stores at once without an additional charge, and you never have to pay for busy pricing during periods of high demand."

"Busy Pricing at Instacart. ... Our goal is to eliminate times when delivery is unavailable, so that Instacart is always reliable. If there are far more delivery requests than available Shoppers, Busy Pricing will add a small fee to the delivery cost. Busy Pricing only affects popular delivery times."

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@judy0330 How does the ordering from multiple stores at once work?

[judy0330]

@Mindy D    I haven't done it but found this online:

Switching between stores

In the app—

1. Tap the Store name at the top of the screen to see a list of available stores for your location.
2. Tap the store name for the store you’d like to shop. You’ll arrive at the store’s landing page.
3. Browse, search, and add items to your cart.

On a computer—

1. Click Store at the top left of the page to see a list of available stores for your location.
2. Click the name of the store you’d like to shop. You’ll arrive at the store’s landing page.
3. Browse, search, and add items to your cart.

Ordering from multiple stores

If you add items from multiple stores to your cart, you’ll see items in your cart grouped by store. This creates a multiple delivery order, with separate shoppers and delivery windows for each store. You can add separate ratings and tips for each shopper for the separate deliveries.

• Separate delivery fees and minimums apply for each store.
• Any free delivery promos or credits require a $35 minimum per delivery. This minimum also applies for Instacart Express members.

[SilleeMee]

I believe service fees are to be paid by everyone who uses Instacart regardless of membership or not. That was a change from their previous 'no-service-fee' membership. 

@Spurt  can you help out here?

[Spurt]

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@SilleeMee wrote:

I believe service fees are to be paid by everyone who uses Instacart regardless of membership or not. That was a change from their previous 'no-service-fee' membership. 

@Spurt  can you help out here?

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@SilleeMee 

Quoting from the website---enter your location to check availiability and pricing/fees/tax

Cost: Instacart Express costs $99 a year, which includes free 1 and 2- hour grocery delivery (when available) with a minimum purchase of $35. Service fees may still apply, and this cost also doesn’t include the optional tips for the shopper/driver. The Monthly Express membership is $9.99.

In our city we DO pay a Service Fee but we do NOT pay a Deliver Fee..... Perhaps they negotiate a different contract in different cities....I know pricing varies from store to store in our town, so instacart charges an average price cause they shop from all the different stores....but I heard its different in other cities....so maybe the fees are...

[Spurt]

@SilleeMee 

If you go to Instacart.com and put in your zip code it should tell you what they do in your location regardeing fees and charges.....

[SilleeMee]

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@Spurt wrote:

@SilleeMee 

If you go to Instacart.com and put in your zip code it should tell you what they do in your location regardeing fees and charges.....

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@Spurt 

Exactly what I noticed when I signed in there. Looks like it goes by your location for service fee charges. I suspect it might have something to do with bags or boxes used to deliver goods. In my state bags and boxes used to pack items are taxed as 'sales tax' when you order stuff online. But food is not taxed so instead fees are added.

[VaBelle35]

You are paying more for the convenience.

I use it for work events but have used it once in a week I coulnd't get to the grocery store.

[SilleeMee]

Here's something to think about...

When you get your stuff delivered, remove the items from the bags while standing outside of your house or in your garage. After you remove the items from the bags, throw out the bags and disinfect your hands then take your items inside and disinfect whatever you feel necessary. Wash your hands.