Shopping for groceries can sometimes be an inconvenient chore that many people just don’t have time for. Luckily, there are services like Shipt that customers can use to have their groceries delivered right to their door.
If you’re looking for some extra work on the side and enjoy wandering grocery store aisles and discovering new food products, then delivering groceries for Shipt could be an excellent opportunity.
In this article, we’re going to look at Shipt from a shopper’s point of view. We’ll cover what shoppers actually do, the requirements to become a shopper, and how you can apply.
What Is Shipt?
Shipt is a grocery delivery service that employs independent contractors to shop for groceries and deliver them to the homes of Shipt customers.
Using the Shipt app, customers can shop for groceries from the comfort of their own home. Once they complete an order, a Shipt shopper will pick up all of the items from the grocery store and deliver them the same day — sometimes as soon as one hour.
Shipt’s service it comparable to Instacart, however, there are slight differences here and there. For example, Shipt offers monthly and yearly memberships to customers while Instacart allows you to not have a membership but pay for each order you place.
But when it comes to shoppers, Shipt and Instacart offer shoppers nearly the same opportunity.
What Do Shipt Shoppers Do?
Shipt personal shoppers get paid to shop for groceries and deliver them to customers’ homes. Shipt offers an excellent side gig for hustlers like yourself who are looking to set their own schedule, be their own boss, and make extra cash on the side.
Using the Shipt shopper app, you’ll accept orders from Shipt members and will then be required to complete those orders within a set time frame. After you successfully complete someone’s order — following all of their specific instructions, like how ripe they’d like their bananas to be — you’ll check out and pay for the groceries using a prepaid card.
You’ll then use the shopper app to navigate to the customer’s home and deliver their order. For each of these deliveries, you’ll be paid a delivery fee. At that point, you’ll move on to the next order and start all over.
The best Shipt shoppers are able to give excellent customer service and pay attention to detail. They’re able to work quickly, fill orders accurately, and make sure customers get exactly what they need.
So how much do Shipt shoppers actually make?
How Much Can You Make?
As a Shipt shopper, you’re paid for every order you complete and keep 100% of the tips you receive. According to Shipt, shoppers make an average of $22 per hour.
For each order you accept, you’ll be shown an estimated payment. Shipt states that orders typically take around one hour and that each of these orders will fetch you around $22.
You also get to keep 100% of the tips you receive from customers. So, the better service you’re able to give, the better the chance you’ll receive additional compensation from your customers.
Once you’ve put in the work, you’ll be compensated every Friday via direct deposit. This paycheck will reflect the work you completed in the previous week from Monday to Sunday.
Let’s take a look at what the requirements are to become a Shipt shopper.
Shipt Shopper Requirements
Shipt looks for responsible employees who have an eye for detail and can provide top-notch customer service. You also need a vehicle that’s in decent condition and must be legally permitted to drive.
To give you an idea, here are the basic requirements for becoming a Shipt shopper. You must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a valid U.S. driver’s license
- Have one year of experience as a licensed driver
- Own a vehicle made in 1997 or later
- Cover your vehicle with auto insurance
- Be able to lift at least 40 pounds
- Own a smartphone (an iPhone with iOS 10 or newer, or Android 5.1 or newer)
- Have a bank account for direct deposits
- Own an insulated cooler bag
On top of that, you’ll need to be familiar with the items you’re shopping for, like knowing how to shop for produce selections based on what customers request.
You’ll also be required to pass a background check before working for Shipt. This background check is performed through Checkr and looks for any major blemishes or violations on your record.
Apply to Be a Shipt Shopper
Applying to be a Shipt shopper is fairly simple and straightforward. You’ll provide some basic personal information, complete a short video interview, undergo a background check, and then wait to be notified of open shopper shifts.
To begin the application process, head to the Shipt shopper page and tap apply now.
You’ll then need to fill out a form giving information like your name, email, phone number, address, vehicle year, and shirt size. You’ll also need to pick the area where you’re interested in shopping and choose whether or not you’re able to work on Sundays and Mondays — peak days for Shipt deliveries.
Once you’ve successfully filled out the application, you’ll receive an email confirmation within 24-48 hours. At this point, the Shipt recruiting team may have you complete a virtual interview, which includes a recorded video section.
Throughout this process, the recruiting team will keep you updated via email with additional information, like information on completing your background check and on current job availability.
It’s important to know that Shipt isn’t always hiring new shoppers and that you may have to wait for a job opening. This could take a few days, weeks, or even longer depending on the city you’re in.
After you’ve landed a position, you’ll complete an onboarding session. Once you’ve completed your onboarding, Shipt will send you a T-shirt in the mail and then you can start completing orders.
Shipt Shopper FAQ
Before we conclude, let’s cover some of the more common questions potential Shipt shoppers tend to have.
1. What is Shipt scheduling like?
As a Shipt shopper, you get to decide how much you want to work. This means you can set pick how many orders you want to take on a daily basis, which days you’ll work, and the areas you want to work in. If you’d like you could even treat Shipt as a full-time job — it’s really up to you.
You’re able to set your availability the same-day or up to one week in advance. When an order comes through that matches your availability, you’ll receive an offer notification through the app. You have control over how many orders you accept as there isn’t a minimum or maximum set amount of orders.
2. Does Shipt cover mileage and fuel?
Unfortunately, Shipt doesn’t compensate you for things like mileage on your vehicle, fuel consumed, or mobile data used while shopping. You should keep track of all of these expenses so you can write them off at the end of the year when tax time rolls around. You should also set money aside for taxes because you’re technically an independent contractor.
3. Is Shipt always hiring?
Shipt isn’t always hiring new shoppers. You can still submit your application and wait to be notified of new openings when they arise.
4. Do you need to own the vehicle you use to work for Shipt?
You don’t need to be the owner of the vehicle you use when shopping for Shipt. You will, however, need to be on the insurance policy of the vehicle you’re using regardless of if you own it or not.
5. Where is Shipt Available?
Shipt is available in over 260 cities across the United States. In order to see if your city has Shipt, head to Shipt.com and scroll to the bottom of the page. You can then type your zip code in the box to see if Shipt is available near you.
6. Can anyone else help me while I work for Shipt?
Unfortunately, you aren’t allowed to bring other people along while on your Shipt shift, even if they’re a Shipt shopper also. While it may sound like a great idea to bring someone else like your child, friend, or other family members to help with your orders, this is against Shipt’s policy.
Cash for Grocery Trips
Shipt offers personal shoppers a great way to make extra money in their free time. If you’re looking for a fun side hustle, shopping for Shipt is something you should consider.
If Shipt isn’t available in your area, then you could also look into Instacart which provides a comparable service but has a larger footprint across the U.S.
Hungry customers are waiting, and shopping shifts are ready to be filled. Now it’s up to you to decide if Shipt is the right gig for you. If so, head to Shipt.com and apply today.
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