Is Instacart Worth It? An In-Depth Review of the Popular Grocery Delivery Service

Is Instacart Worth It? An In-Depth Review of the Popular Grocery Delivery Service

Grocery delivery services like Instacart have become extremely popular over the last few years. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a major increase in demand as more people wanted a contactless way to get groceries.

But is Instacart really worth the fees? This comprehensive review covers everything you need to know:

• Overview of the Instacart service
• Delivery options and store partnerships
• Pricing and fees breakdown
• User experience for ordering and deliveries
• Comparisons to competitors like Shipt and Amazon Fresh
• Benefits and drawbacks of using Instacart
• Who tends to use Instacart

After reading, you'll understand if Instacart is right for your grocery delivery needs.

What is Instacart?

Instacart is an online grocery delivery service available throughout the United States and Canada. The company partners with popular national and regional grocery store chains to deliver items directly to your door.

Here's an overview of how Instacart works:

• Personal shoppers pick out items from local stores on your behalf
• Deliveries arrive often within 1-2 hours for an additional fee
• Same-day delivery available as well as scheduled deliveries
• Choose no-contact drop-off or hand delivery

The service first launched in 2012 and demand has grown exponentially since 2020. Instacart is now available in over 5,500 cities, making it accessible for many people.

Instacart Delivery Options

One major perk of Instacart is the variety of delivery options:

Scheduled Deliveries

• Schedule deliveries several days or weeks in advance
• Best for when you need items at a specific time

Same-Day Delivery

• Receive your order within hours
• Pay extra fees for faster service

Pickup

• Some store locations allow pickup
• Skip delivery to save money

So whether you forgot an ingredient for tonight's dinner or need groceries while recovering from an illness, Instacart has a solution tailored for you.

Instacart Store Partnerships

Instacart has partnered with over 750 national, regional, and local retailers to offer delivery from your favorite stores:

• Kroger
• Albertsons
• Aldi
• Costco
• Sam's Club
• Publix
• Sprouts
• Petco
• CVS
• 7-Eleven

And many more! You'll have access to all your household necessities.

Specialty Store Partnerships

Beyond groceries, Instacart works with specialty retailers:

• Sephora
• Best Buy
• Staples
• The Home Depot
• Michaels
• PetSmart

So you can also get electronics, office supplies, home goods, beauty products, pet food, and more!

Instacart+ Membership Overview

Instacart+ is an optional annual or monthly paid subscription plan. It offers several key perks:

Free Delivery

• $0 delivery fees on orders $35+
• Big money saver for frequent users

Reduced Service Fees

• 5% service fee minimum on orders
• Rather than a percentage of total cost

Priority Support

• Faster customer service response times
• For any issues with orders

An Instacart+ membership makes most sense if you order delivery often. You can save significantly compared to paying per-order fees.

Breakdown of Instacart Fees

Understanding the fee structure is key to calculating if Instacart fits your budget:

Delivery Fees

• Start at $3.99 per order
• Higher for shorter delivery windows

Service Fees

• Start at 5% of order total
• Higher fees for alcohol orders

Tips

• Recommended 5%+ tip for shoppers
• Customizable based on service

Instacart+ eliminates the delivery fees and reduces service fees to 5% as mentioned.

Additionally, items prices may be slightly higher than in-stores. Instacart needs to make a profit as the intermediary.

So calculate about a 10-15% markup on top of your grocery budget as a rough estimate.

Cost of Instacart+ Membership

An Instacart+ membership costs either:

• $99 per year
• $9.99 per month

According to Instacart, members save an average of $7 per order compared to non-members.

So if you expect to order delivery at least 14 times per year, the Instacart+ annual plan likely makes sense.

Of course, opt for the monthly billing if you just want to try it out first.

Instacart Ordering Process

Placing an Instacart order is simple across the website and mobile app:

Browsing Items

Instacart catalogs make it easy to search for products or browse by department just like in-store.

See item details like:

• Prices
• Sizes
• Photos
• Nutrition facts
• Restrictions (like age limits on medicine)

Adding to Cart

Press the + button to add items to your virtual cart. You can:

• Change quantities
• Remove items
• Save items for later
• View special instructions

It works just like any online shopping site.

Select Delivery Time

Pick your ideal delivery window when checking out. Cost varies based on:

• Day of the week
• Time of day
• How soon you need it

Earlier and weekends tend to be most expensive.

Checkout

Input your payment details including:

• Credit/debit card
• Apple/Google Pay
• Electronic food stamps

You can add instructions for delivery drivers like "back door please".

Wait for Arrival

Track your order's progress in real-time. Groceries arrive usually within the delivery window selected.

And that's it! Instacart makes getting groceries convenient by handling the shopping aspect.

Instacart Customer Support

Instacart offers a few customer service options if any issues come up:

• 24/7 phone + chat
• Support emails typically answered within 6 hours
• Social media messaging as well

Common reasons to contact them include:

• Missing or incorrect items
• Order clarification
• Reimbursements
• Scheduling changes
• Cancellations

Most customers report friendly and responsive support teams. So don't hesitate to reach out when needed.

Instacart App and Website Reviews

Users report the Instacart interface is intuitive and easy to navigate.

Website

The full desktop site makes it simple to:

• Browse items
• Compare prices across stores
• Add lots of items faster

Some customers prefer creating large, complex orders on a big screen.

Mobile App

The app offers a streamlined experience best for:

• Smaller orders
• Checking out
• Tracking drivers
• Adding last-minute items

Customizable notifications keep you update without hassle.

Both platforms offer the complete Instacart experience. Choose your preferred platform based on order specifics, personal taste, and device availability.

How Does Instacart Compare?

Instacart has some stiff competition in the grocery delivery market. How does it compare?

Instacart vs Shipt

• Membership Fee: Instacart+ optional vs Shipt required
• Stores: Similar national partners
• Pricing: Shipt no delivery fee but monthly fee
• Availability: Instacart much wider reach

Shipt competes well in large metros but loses on pricing structure and availability otherwise.

Instacart vs Amazon Fresh

• Membership: Need Prime for Amazon
• Stores: Instacart larger local selection
• Delivery Speed: Amazon quicker in some areas
• Grocery Focus: Instacart specialization

Amazon Fresh struggles with supply chain issues making Instacart stronger for reliability.

Instacart vs Walmart

• Prices: Walmart cheaper with same in-store costs
• Pickup: Walmart offers in-store and curbside
• Worker Treatment: Instacart has a better public image
• Store Choice: Instacart again bigger variety

If Walmart carries your must-have items, the prices likely can’t be beat!

Among major competitors, Instacart holds its own with wide availability, store choices, fast delivery, and competitive membership perks.

Benefits of Choosing Instacart

Despite a few negatives outlined later, Instacart clearly makes grocery shopping more convenient which is the primary benefit users report.

Time Savings

Avoid spending your precious free time navigating crowded supermarkets every week. The hours add up!

Physical Accessibility

Get groceries without leaving home. Ideal for those with:

• Limited mobility
• Illnesses
• Lack of transportation
• Poor weather travel issues

Household Management

Simplify keeping kitchens stocked for:

• Busy parents
• Seniors
• People with disabilities
• Those recovering from injury/illness

Just tap a button from your couch to get eggs, lunch meat, or anything else you need.

COVID-19 Precautions

Reduce coronavirus exposure with contactless delivery. Shoppers follow safety guidelines for high-risk groups.

Clearly, the convenience factor appeals to many even outside high-risk groups. Outsourcing shopping free up your mental bandwidth and schedule.

Potential Downsides of Using Instacart

While Instacart solves headaches for customers, a few key disadvantages remain:

Limited Availability

Instacart only operates in metro and suburban areas currently. Rural regions often lack coverage and access unfortunately.

Pricing Concerns

Items prices run higher than in-stores before fees. And you pay for delivery convenience. Users report 10-15% total markups commonly.

Platform Complexity

The app and site takes some learning if you're less tech savvy. However, most functions mirror grocery store experiences to minimize the transition shock.

So weigh if the extra costs outweigh grocery frustrations. And contact support for platform issues.

Who Uses Instacart Most?

Based on user data analytics, a few demographics stand out among Instacart's shoppers:

Busy Parents

Getting groceries with young kids can be a nightmare! Instacart allows parents to skip the circus.

Retirees

Older generations often face mobility challenges making frequent shopping hard. Delivery helps them maintain independence at home.

Office Workers

Professionals short on time rely on the service to maximize work focus without rushing errands nights and weekends.

Those with Medical Problems

If health issues like chronic illness make getting groceries difficult, Instacart offers a lifeline.

Convenience attracts users across backgrounds. But the accessibility focus particularly helps those who need it most.

Instacart Accessibility Features and Accommodations

Instacart offers dedicated support resources for customers with disabilities featuring:

• Closed captioning for hearing impairments
• Screen reader capability for visual impairments
• Note fields for special instructions

Additionally, their shoppers receive disability etiquette and awareness training.

So customers with disabilities can receive an equivalent, dignified experience.

FAQs: Your Top Instacart Questions Answered

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Instacart:

Does Instacart accept EBT payments?

Yes, Instacart accepts electronic benefit transfers (EBT) payments for groceries from state food assistance programs. However, delivery and services fees cannot be paid with food stamp benefits.

Are Instacart prices higher than in-stores?

Yes, typically prices run higher on Instacart before additional fees. The exact markup varies store-to-store. But expect around 5-15% over in-location prices as their business model.

Can you return groceries to Instacart?

Contact Instacart support for any missing, damaged, or inaccurate items. You cannot directly return items to Instacart. But you will receive a refund or credit to your account. Perishables get reimbursed if they arrive unusable.

Is there an Instacart sale section?

Yes! Instacart offers digital coupon codes and highlights sales from stores. You can browse deals or search directly for “sales” items. Some stores also allow clipping manufacturer digital coupons.

The Bottom Line: Who Should Use Instacart?

Instacart shines for its convenience and modern, user-friendly platforms. The variety of stores and delivery speed options makes grocery hassles disappear.

Customers report high satisfaction once they get set up. Costs run 10-15% higher than grabbing them yourself which pays for outsourcing hassle.

If your budget allows and location qualifies, Instacart helps busy professionals, parents, less mobile individuals, and other groups save meaningful time. Just calculate if the fees fit into your financial lifestyle.