# Ask the newish instacart shopper **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 15, 2020, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875 "2020-04-15T20:38:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2020, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875/1 "2020-04-15T20:38:52Z")
Most of my computer clients are shutdown Uber is dead (like 15% of normal volume) So I needed something more fitting to the times. About a month ago i signed up for instacart and so far, I kinda love it. If i get a call from a computer client I can wrap up my shopping task and go do the computer work. otherwise I can stay productive and maintain my income with IC. I am grossing about $22/hr (better than uber in my experience) I have 6 grocery stores on the platform within 3 miles Costco, 2 save mart, 1 foodmaxx, sams club, sprouts. Ask me anything! ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2020, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875/2 "2020-04-15T21:24:56Z")
When it comes to things like steaks or produce, do you get the sense they try to pick the good items? Or do they just grab whatever and put it in the cart? ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2020, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875/3 "2020-04-15T21:50:42Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > When it comes to things like steaks or produce, do you get the sense they try to pick the good items? Or do they just grab whatever and put it in the cart? I think OP is the “they” in this scenario. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2020, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875/4 "2020-04-15T21:51:57Z")
What’s the craziest thing you’ve been sent to fetch? ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2020, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875/5 "2020-04-15T22:22:37Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > I think OP is the “they” in this scenario. Wow! After rereading the OP, I have no idea how I missed that. Lol ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2020, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875/6 "2020-04-15T22:25:47Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > When it comes to things like steaks or produce, do you get the sense they try to pick the good items? Or do they just grab whatever and put it in the cart? I am a “They” I am what they call a full service shopper. I select tasks from a list offered then I drive to the store, select merchandise, and deliver it to the customers home. I do look at it from the perspective “would I buy it” If selection is limited, say only 1 left on the shelf or all fruit looks a little dinged up and over or underripe, i go with whats there. If its really bad I will check with the customer. I have heard plenty of horror stories. One thing to keep in mind with ANY gig economy service. Many of them are “not traditionally employable”. With that you get all manner of drug addictions, psych issues, lazy, assholes, and combinations thereof. Almost any large workplace has a few well known slackers/fuckups…we have a few more, so results may vary wildly. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2020, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875/7 "2020-04-15T22:31:26Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > What’s the craziest thing you’ve been sent to fetch? I had an order yesterday for one box of crackers from costco. I have several “fishing expedition” requests where the whole order is Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, eggs, paper towels, etc. Basically everything the store is usually out of. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2020, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875/8 "2020-04-15T22:53:31Z")
I’ve seen a lot of what must be Instacart and similar shoppers. It seems they frequently check their phones to look at the shopping list, often with gloved hands. I recommend keeping your phone in a baggie for use away from home, then treating the bag like any other PPE item… ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875/9 "2020-04-16T00:41:37Z")
On suggestion for you. I had once Instacart shopper who, for produce & meat & and possible replacement items, took pictures of what they were selecting and texted them to me to get OKs. It was a great interactive experience. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875/10 "2020-04-16T00:45:53Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > On suggestion for you. I had once Instacart shopper who, for produce & meat & and possible replacement items, took pictures of what they were selecting and texted them to me to get OKs. It was a great interactive experience. That’s funny. I’m not an Instacart shopper, but that’s how my wife likes to shop. From home. With me going to the supermarket. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Sensitive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58956e/32.png) [@Darth\_Sensitive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Sensitive)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875/11 "2020-04-16T00:46:18Z")
Do you have to have your own Sam’s Club membership? ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875/12 "2020-04-16T01:25:20Z")
> [@Saintly\_Loser](#): > > That’s funny. > > I’m not an Instacart shopper, but that’s how my wife likes to shop. From home. With me going to the supermarket. You should sign up with Instacart, then you can get paid for it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Beesnest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e495f1/32.png) [@Beesnest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beesnest)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875/13 "2020-04-16T01:47:29Z")
I am glad you are making decent wages by doing instacart. I gave a 20% tip for a big grocery list that gave the picker $26 . I would have baulked at that once but now it is a real bargain. I’m sure it was more then an hour job. It does make me feel like I am overtipping a waitress whose only work is pouring a coke and walking by saying iseverythingok is everything ok, is everyyyy in a doppler drone. I think you are wise to limit the stores you serve…once you know where items are things go faster. Does instacart give you any kind of software that sorts things out by layout ?or do you see things as they pop up on the list-because I didn’t make an effort to sort. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875/14 "2020-04-16T15:01:15Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > On suggestion for you. I had once Instacart shopper who, for produce & meat & and possible replacement items, took pictures of what they were selecting and texted them to me to get OKs. It was a great interactive experience. Generally speaking I do not do that, The reason being that part of how instacart rates us is based on how long it takes us to pick each item, the goal is 68 seconds per item. That doesn’t leave alot of time for discussion. For substitutions the system automatically notifies you that a substitute was picked giving you an opportunity to comment. Sadly under normal circumstances that shopper would probably find themselves deactivated for poor performance metrics. In my experience, the customers don’t pull their weight well in being part of the interaction. If I get a bunch of substitutions I will drop a note for them to please take a look in case they have any questions about my substitutions. About half the time they never even read my message. Most of the rest just reply “ok” or “looks good” and a few of course go hyperpicky or accusatory… “It’s right next to the one you substituted”… “Go ask they must have more in the back” they usually get a picture of the empty shelf and shelf tag as evidence that I didn’t just miss it. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875/15 "2020-04-16T15:12:57Z")
How do you get orders? Do you get a list of orders and you get to choose one? It seems like the buyers would take the “best” (largest) orders first, creating longer lead times for small orders. Is that the way it works? Can you see the customer’s tip before you take the order? ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875/16 "2020-04-16T15:13:28Z")
> [@Darth\_Sensitive](#): > > Do you have to have your own Sam’s Club membership? Nope no memberships needed I actually avoid Sam’s. Our local Sam’s club is openly hostile to us.like once you are in, hide your lanyard if you want any help. The local IC Facebook group is full of stories of poor interaction with Sam’s staff. If They gave us a way to filter requests so we never see orders from certain stores… I would never see another Sam’s club order. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875/17 "2020-04-16T15:23:46Z")
> [@Beesnest](#): > > Does instacart give you any kind of software that sorts things out by layout ?or do you see things as they pop up on the list-because I didn’t make an effort to sort. Sortof. The order on the shopping list for us is supposed to be in the most efficient order to shop and usually is at least categorized together with similar items. There are always exceptions that throw curve balls at you. Vons/Safeway we are starting to see things marked and sorted by aisle. most efficient pick pattern are also does not necessarily include certain common sense things like picking out frozen items last. A couple of the fancier places like Sprouts are even more challenging because of all of the standard, organic, free range, vegan friendly, etc options they cater to. Fully stocked they have like 38 different kinds of eggs some with 5-6 variations within size and brand. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875/18 "2020-04-16T15:43:44Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > How do you get orders? Do you get a list of orders and you get to choose one? It seems like the buyers would take the “best” (largest) orders first, creating longer lead times for small orders. Is that the way it works? Can you see the customer’s tip before you take the order? Yes we have a list of available orders from nearby stores to choose from. We see: A map of pickup and delivery location The mileage from the store to customer/s How much instacart pays How much the customer is tipping If it is considered a heavy order (bottled water, dog food, et c) The quantity of unique pick locations and total piece count. The largest orders do not always go first, the larger tips do. Most of the orders are a kinda fuzzy judgement call as to what is the “best” for shoppers. My biggest tip was $75 on $103 total payment for 132 items pulled, $516 register total. Factoring in things like 30 items from the average grocery store vs 30 items from Costco that might not fit in the average car comes with experience. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875/19 "2020-04-16T19:02:05Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > I had an order yesterday for one box of crackers from costco. > > I have several “fishing expedition” requests where the whole order is Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, eggs, paper towels, etc. Basically everything the store is usually out of. One box of crackers? Did you accept that order? Did you get paid or tipped enough to make it worthwhile? Have you ever had someone tip-bait you? (promise a big tip and then renege)? Do you ever shop multiple orders at once? Do you have any kind of cooler or other storage in your car, to help keep frozen stuff intact? ---
**Author:** ![Summerday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/22d042/32.png) [@Summerday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Summerday)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875/20 "2020-04-16T21:09:02Z")
How do you pay for the items? Do you use your credit card and are reimbursed by Instacart or does Instacart give you some kind of credit card? Does Instacart reimburse you for gas or mileage on your car? Have you considered teaming up with someone? They do the shopping while you make deliveries…by the time you get back, they’ve got the next order ready to be delivered? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newish-instacart-shopper/851875.md?page=2)