Ever wondered what it’s like working for Instacart? This Instacart shopper review answers all your questions.
Instacart has changed the grocery shopping game, offering on-demand shopping and deliveries to its users. They partner with major retailers across North America for ultra-convenient grocery delivery for a fee.
To keep this marketplace rolling, Instacart employs over 600,000 independent contractors to shop and deliver orders. It’s a flexible and accessible source of income, making it one of the most popular side hustles in the gig economy.
If you’ve been curious about working as an Instacart shopper but aren’t sure it’s the right opportunity for you, this post is for you. Read on to learn what working for Instacart looks like and how this money-making side gig can fit into your lifestyle.
What is an Instacart Shopper?
Instacart shoppers fall into two main roles:
Instacart Shopper Review: Full-Service Shopper
An Instacart full-service shopper is an independent contractor. In this role, you’ll handle entire customer orders, both shopping and delivery.
Through the Instacart Shopper app, you can accept batches when you’d like to work; you’ll always be shown the earnings before accepting a batch to give you control over your workflow.
Once you accept an order, you’ll shop at the chosen retailer, communicate with the customer as needed, and check out your cart as normal using your Instacart Shopper Payment Card. Deliver the order as instructed, then on to the next!
These positions are super flexible as you can choose when, where, and how long you’d like to work. You can even cash out your earnings in as little as 2 hours if you qualify for their instant cash-out program.
Beyond the upfront earnings, you also have the chance to earn tips as a bonus.
Instacart Full-Service Shopper Requirements
To be a full-service Instacart shopper, you must meet a few requirements:
- Eligibility to work in the U.S.
- Be a minimum of 18 years old.
- The ability to lift 40lb because of heavy items like pet food and drink cases.
- Access to a reliable vehicle for deliveries.
- An up-to-date smartphone – you’ll need to use the Instacart Shopper app to accept batches.
- Have a bank account so that you can get paid!
Instacart Shopper Review: In-Store Shopper
If you don’t drive or don’t have regular access to a vehicle, you can still work as an Instacart In-store shopper. Essentially, you complete all tasks a full-service shopper does, minus the delivery.
You’ll be stationed in partner retailers, receiving orders via your smartphone, picking items, and organizing them for pickup or delivery. You’re also responsible for answering customer queries, organizing any necessary substitutions, and checking out with your Instacart Payment Card.
Unlike full-service shoppers who work as independent contractors, in-store shoppers are employees and earn an hourly W-2 wage. Shifts are offered up to 29 hours per week, though hours remain flexible based on your availability.
Instacart In-Store Shopper Requirements
The requirements to be an Instacart in-store shopper are the same as full-service positions, with one key difference: you won’t need a car!
Pros and Cons of Being an Instacart Shopper
The biggest pro of working with Instacart is truly the flexibility. You can start earning quickly, work whenever you’d like, and receive weekly or instant payouts. You won’t work under a boss, making this an attractive side hustle.
Still, there are downsides to this gig. You won’t have guaranteed income as a full-service shopper, and slow days and low tips can hurt your bottom line. You might encounter quite a bit of downtime as you wait for good batches, meaning longer working hours for similar or less profit.
Finally, as an independent contractor, you’re responsible for your vehicle expenses, including insurance, gas, and maintenance. You’ll earn slightly higher fees based on long-distance deliveries, though it won’t cover wear and tear on your vehicle over time.
Who Should Apply to be an Instacart Shopper?
The Instacart career page suggests this role to anyone currently working as a driver, courier, truck driver, personal shopper, or anyone in the grocery industry.
While these may offer the most streamlined transitions into the role, the company welcomes shoppers from any industry or background. They also encourage those with arrests or criminal convictions to apply.
Instacart shopping is designed for its flexibility. Those looking for temporary or part-time work with minimal barriers to entry should consider the role.
Who Might Not Enjoy Working for Instacart?
If you dislike customer service, Instacart probably isn’t the right role for you. While you’ll be shopping and driving independently, you still need to have strong communication with customers throughout.
Anyone who doesn’t enjoy driving or feels more comfortable with a consistent paycheck should also avoid this side hustle.
Understanding Instacart Shopping Earnings
While you can start earning quickly as an Instacart shopper, low minimums and a heavy reliance on tipping have some questioning whether it’s worth their time.
What Can You REALLY Earn as an Instacart Shopper?
An Instacart shopper’s earning potential can range drastically depending on their time commitment, where they are located, earning from tips, time of day, and how smart they play the game.
The maximum daily amount a full-service shopper can earn is $3,000, though this is far from a realistic goal.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average shopper makes $18.33 per hour; however, this does not differentiate between full-service and in-store shoppers.
Do Instacart Shoppers Keep 100% of Their Tips?
Full-service shoppers can earn tips, though that’s completely up to the customer’s discretion. As in-store shoppers are hourly employees, they are not eligible to receive tips.
You’ll keep 100% of the tips you earn, which supplements the base pay. Base pay varies by location and the size of the order; batches often range between $4-$10. Tips are a huge part of making this side hustle profitable, as orders are often not worth the base pay alone.
Expenses to Consider
Instacart looks like a low-entry way to start earning, but it comes with some surprising operating costs.
Full-service shoppers need to account for:
- Fuel: Gas will be an ongoing expense for pickups and deliveries.
- Vehicle maintenance: Expect more frequent oil changes, brake repairs, and tire replacements.
- Vehicle value: The value of your vehicle will depreciate more quickly because of how frequently you’re driving.
- Insurance: Because you’re using your vehicle for commercial purposes, you’ll need additional auto insurance coverage.
- Parking fees: Some deliveries will require parking fees and perhaps even tolls.
- Smartphone: You’ll need a recent smartphone and data plan to use the company app and manage your orders.
How Smart Shoppers Earn More
Successful Instacart shoppers have a plan going into their shift.
- Pick carefully: Choose orders based on short delivery distance, stores you know well and can navigate quickly, and of course, high tips!
- Shop during peak hours: Evenings, weekends, holidays, and days with bad weather are all “peak hours.” You’ll earn higher base amounts, and customers are more likely to tip well.
- Clever idling: Stay in the vicinity of popular grocery stores to wait for new batches to appear.
- Prioritize communication: Always communicate promptly and professionally with customers. Quality replacements keep customers happy, boost your star rating, and help your tip earnings. Maintaining a high rating may also give you access to higher-quality batches.
- Track expenses: Track all work-related expenses, including mileage, parking fees, and commercial auto insurance. These expenses will reduce your taxable income.
Is Being a Shopper for Instacart Worth It?
It depends.
On Reddit, real people who have done this side gig have mixed reviews.
Some people say it’s worth it if you live close to the grocery store, live in a big city, or just need extra money in a pinch.
The consensus is that it’s very difficult, if not impossible, to earn a full-time living as an Instacart shopper. But if you’re looking for a legit side gig and live in a hot spot, it can be worth your time.
On Indeed, Instacart shoppers give the gig a 3-star rating out of 5, and on the Apple App Store, shoppers give it a 4.8-star rating out of 5.
Before jumping into this side earner, read reviews, weigh the pros and cons, and then decide.
How to Become an Instacart Shopper
Getting started with Instacart is easy, which may appeal to those looking for quick work or anxious about a traditional onboarding process.
There are three steps to becoming a full-service shopper:
- Step one: Create your Instacart shopper account
- Step two: Set up the account, add banking information, and upload a photo of your driver’s license (you must have a valid license to be a full-service shopper!).
- Step three: Your account gets approved, and you’re ready to start accepting orders!
The in-store process is very similar. Answer a few questions and start working once your application has been approved.
Alternatives to Instacart
If Instacart is intriguing to you but doesn’t feel like the perfect fit, one of these alternatives could be the right match:
- DoorDash: Offers grocery delivery services but focuses mainly on restaurant delivery. This cuts out shopping time and allows you to pick up more orders, more frequently.
- Spark Driver: Walmart’s delivery driver service, which can include both shopping and delivery. Focusing on a single store helps your product knowledge and speeds up the shopping experience.
- Uber Eats: Similar to DoorDash, choose between restaurant or grocery store deliveries.
- Amazon Flex: Use your personal vehicle to deliver Amazon orders or groceries from Amazon and Whole Foods. You’ll be assigned a block location vs. picking up individual orders.
- Shipt: Very similar to the Instacart shopper experience; they prioritize excellent communication and overall customer service.
Instacart Shopper Review: Final Thoughts on Working for Instacart
Becoming an Instacart shopper is an easy way to start earning quickly without making a major commitment. If you’re craving a flexible and potentially profitable side hustle, give Instacart shopping a try!
Looking for more gigs like this Instacart shopper review? Check out this helpful post on 26 Gig Economy Jobs to Make Money Quickly.
