Instacart Shopper

Akin to other delivery apps, such as Uber Eats and Postmates, Instacart connects customers with independent contractors.

The major difference between the apps, however, is the type of order being delivered.

Instacart focuses primarily on completing grocery deliveries from customers’ favorite local stores.

If you are unfamiliar with Instacart, it’s an on-demand grocery delivery service.

Instacart pays people to shop for groceries at local stores (they have a partnership with Whole Foods, for instance).

And in addition to the actual shopping, Instacart workers are in charge of delivering the groceries to the customer.

To date, Instacart is available in these areas.

As the popularity of the grocery delivery app increases, the area where Instacart is available will expand.

And as the grocery delivery service expands, so will the need for shoppers and delivery drivers.

Shop and deliver groceries and everyday essentials with Instacart.

Set your own schedule, be a household hero, and earn money quickly.

The two options available are Full-Service Shopper (own hours with no maximum cap) or In-Store Shopper (maximum of 29 hours per week).

The 29 hours per week is not a guarantee and will fluctuate depending on customer demand.

No matter which option you choose, almost all of your earnings are delivered on a weekly basis.

This is pretty standard for jobs in the gig economy, and allows shoppers to access money without having to wait weeks or months to get it.

Additionally, tipping is a part of Instacart as with any other delivery service, so customers are offered the option of tipping through the app.

What Is an Instacart Shopper?

Instacart employs two kinds of workers: Full-Service Shopper or In-Store Shopper.

Deciding which type of shopper you want to be will depend heavily on the type of work you are looking for and how much money you want to earn.

For example, In-Store Shoppers have a cap on how many hours they are allowed to work each week.

At max, In-Store Shoppers are allowed to work 29 hours.

Although the limits on this part-time position may be discouraging, there is a plus side: In-Store Shoppers are not required to drive anywhere.

In contrast, Full-Service Shoppers complete the orders from start to finish.

As in, a driver arrives at the grocery store, completes the order by shopping for the items on a given list, and then actually delivers the order to the customer.

Current couriers and rideshare drivers may feel right at home as Full-Service Shoppers.

Regardless of which type of shopper you are interested in becoming, working for Instacart has a lot of benefits.

For starters, shoppers do not have to deal with passengers and they can maintain a flexible schedule while earning extra cash.

Needless to say, this entry-level position is a great side-hustle option for those seeking a way to have a positive impact.

Driving for Instacart: Is It Worth It?

We have received very interesting reports from drivers in regards to who actually uses Instacart.

In general, most drivers report that the customers who are making orders are typically very wealthy.

Having said that, some customers tip very nicely whereas others refuse to tip at all.

In addition, there are also customers that expect shoppers to cater to every need, like bring the groceries inside and helping them put them away, regardless of how practical the request is.

If you find yourself in this type of situation, keep a level head and stay rational.

You may meet every demand and still not be tipped, so stay aware.

Nevertheless, working as a shopper for Instacart can be very rewarding.

Shoppers get to be their own boss, earn as much as they want, and improve their local community over time.

We probably wouldn’t recommend Instacart delivery as a full-time job, but it is a great part-time job where workers can usually make well over minimum wage.