Can you make more money with Instacart?

Legal authorities forced many people to stay at home for obvious reasons during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. It also means a decrease in people's movement. As such, going online became the new norm.

In a survey conducted in April 2020, 38 percent of American shoppers opted for online grocery shopping. Shoppers transitioned to shopping for their groceries online to reduce their exposure to the outside world while also expecting a seamless shopping experience.

Consequently, grocery retailers had to adjust to a surge in demand for online grocery delivery.

On the other hand, grocery sales, pick-up, and delivery in the U.S. surged from 1.2 billion U.S. dollars in August 2019 to 7.2 billion in June 2020.

Now, that’s excellent news for side-hustlers looking to make extra money by grocery shopping.

Indeed, side gig economy jobs that involve being a Personal Shopper are a great way to earn extra bucks during your downtime, or you can make it your full-time gig too.

But, is becoming a Personal Shopper a thing? What's in it anyway?

In this post, you will learn about how to make the most money with Instacart.

Related reads: 36 Best Ideas on How to Make Extra Money and 18 Unique Ways To Create Passive Income and Boost your Cash Flow

What is Instacart?

Instacart is a food delivery service app that lets customers order groceries online and have them delivered in less than an hour or the same day.

Becoming an Instacart shopper (also called, Personal Shopper) is one lucrative side-hustle that will earn you anywhere between $300-$500 weekly. As an Instacart shopper, you will shop at nearby Instacart store partners.

Instacart operates in more than 5,500 cities across the U.S. and Canada. Location ranges from large urban areas to smaller communities. If you want to try it, you can go ahead to the Instacart website and enter your ZIP code to see whether the app works in your area. The app is compatible with both Android and Apple smartphones.

How does Instacart work?

For Customers

You can readily download the Instacart app on your phone or check out their website. Within the app, you can choose from several hundred thousand grocery items; alcohol, home essentials, fresh produce, and more.

Instacart partners with many local and nearby stores such as Walmart, Whole Foods, Hannaford, ACME Markets, Best Buy, Country Mart, 7-Eleven, and Costco (no need for a membership card).

Aside from that, you can order for delivery or pickup and pay for the items online. Additionally, you can include a tip for your shopper, which is nice but not required.

Moreover, Instacart offers exclusive deals and coupons to help you save. Customers can also schedule an order for a specific day and time. Isn't that convenient?

Instacart, indeed, is a forward-thinking app that targets busy professionals and stay-at-home moms or anyone who doesn't want to go outside to shop.

For Shoppers/Delivery Person

You can start making money on your own schedule right after your account gets verified and approved. However, there is a background check, which generally takes around ten business days. After that, you're good to go.

There are two roles for which you can apply (we'll talk more about that later). But, both support the following requirements:

• Must at least be 18 years of age or more.
• Have legal authorization to work in the U.S.
• Able to lift 40lbs without accommodation.
• Have regular access to a reliable car (for full-service shopper)
• Vehicle insurance, following local laws (for full-service shopper)
• Have regular access to a smartphone (Android 5.0 or later, iOS 9 or later) capable of running the Instacart Shopper app.
• Follow Instacart’s food safety policies.

Then, you will receive your orders on your smartphone. Once received, the shopper handpicks the order and delivers the items to the customer.

Shoppers are paid an hourly wage when they sign on for a “shift,” plus any customers' cash tips. Shoppers keep the tips 100% and it goes directly to the shoppers' bank account which the shopper can cash out weekly.

As a shopper, you also get a pre-loaded payment card (debit card) that you will use at checkout, so you don't have to worry about money. In case the items you shop for exceeds the amount on the card, you'll get notified immediately.

For instance, if the customer canceled or another shopper has done the work, Instacart lets you keep the groceries. Free food, anyone?

For the Stores

Instacart is an affiliate with many major superstores in the U.S. and Canada. Stores benefit from a significant increase in revenue because of their partnerships with a futuristic company such as Instacart.

Related reads: Ibotta Review: How to Get Cashback on Groceries and Save More Money

How to become an Instacart Shopper?

As said earlier, you have two options to become an Instacart shopper:

Full-Service Shopper

Full-service shoppers are independent contractors that offer the flexibility to choose their own hours. As a full-service shopper, you choose which batches (orders) you’d like to shop, with no limit on how many batches you can fulfill. Besides shopping, you also deliver the item straight to the customers.

You do the shopping plus delivery, which means you must have a car to do so. Therefore, those who already have experience in the transportation industry and want to pursue a professional personal shopper job might thrive in this role.

In-store shopper

As an In-store shopper, you only do the shopping part. No need for access to a reliable car since an in-store shopper puts together all customers' orders ready for pick-up. It's either the customer will pick up the item himself or have it done by someone with help from another delivery service.

Signing up for Instacart Shopper Jobs

Do you have what it takes to be an Instacart shopper? Let me walk you through step by step with this guide.

1. Go to the Instacart website. Provide the necessary personal information and choose which type of shopper you will be.
2. Complete the detailed registration page. You'll get asked some interview questions.
3. Provide your driver's license and preferred method of payment.
4. Wait to get cleared for a background check. This will take a week or two; follow-up if necessary by contacting them via email or through their support portal.
5. Attend the onboarding program to get familiar with how Instacart works and get all the information you need. At this point, you will also be given the Instacart debit card (prepaid card) that you will use while shopping.
6. Download the app and start making money.

How to get orders

Now that everything is set, you're ready to take your first order.

First off, if you choose to be a Full-service shopper, you get to pick your orders. You get to see all the available batches or (orders) and you can select the one you think would be a good order.

The ideal pick is your home store, one which is the same store you do your groceries at so you know already the ins and outs, or any store nearby.

You can also see within the app what the orders are so you can decide which batch is worth your time. Slide to accept the order to get started.

Furthermore, you can use the app's “Navigation Tool” to know where your store is. You don't have to use this feature if you know your area well; you can immediately drive over there and pick the fastest route and get there safely.

Also, your shopping is “timed,” but don't get stressed over it. You only need to be efficient in your shopping so, click the “Get Started” only when you're inside the store, fully prepared, and ready to pick items.

Your shopping speed affects your ratings, and you want to get as many good reviews as possible.

Because if you got higher average ratings, the app would reward you with more access to batches before other shoppers. So, you may want to do your best here.

Once inside the store and you find an item, scan the barcode, and enter the quantity required. The app will notify you if you got the wrong item or if it is out of stock.

With that, you may communicate with the customer if he wants a substitute item or makes a change to it. The customer will get a refund for the item.

Once you're done shopping, review any changes made and proceed to checkout. Pay using the debit card, then take a picture of the receipt to give it to the customers.

Again, if you're in a full-service role, you will deliver this item to the customer as well. Take note of the address and customers' delivery instructions, if any. You'll earn around $7-$10 per hour, depending on how many batches you take, plus variable tips.

However, if you're an in-store shopper, you only get up until the staging and packing, and you get a minimum of $5 hourly.

As a shopper, you can see how much the tip is upfront before accepting the gig; however, the app lets the customers adjust the tip up to 24 hours after the delivery is complete.

Shopper Pay and Earnings

The Instacart app is easy to use and intuitive. Besides, you'll see an estimate for earnings with each order, and it also tracks your total earnings for the week.

In case you're wondering how much you can make as an Instacart shopper, it will depend on factors such as the number of hours you work, the number of orders you fill, and the type of orders received.

Moreover, you get your pay weekly via direct bank transfer.

But, if you want to cash out early, your delivery earnings must be more than $5. If the system's button says your account is holding less than that $5 minimum, you'll need to earn more to cash out.

Keep in mind that tips are never paid within any Instant Cashout. They will always be paid with your weekly deposit, and you must take out the entire amount in one lump sum.

As stated earlier, Full-service shoppers have the flexibility to work as little or as often as they want. It means that total earnings potential depends on the individual.

On the contrary In-store shoppers earn an hourly wage and are scheduled for shifts based on personal availability, up to 29 hours each week.

How to make the most money with Instacart

Below are practical tips on maximizing your earnings as an Instacart shopper and a few best practices.

1. Referral bonuses – Another way to earn with Instacart is through referrals. They offer a bonus when you refer a friend to shop with them. Referral bonus amounts vary by role and location. You can learn more about this scheme here.
2. Follow instructions closely and make deliveries on time.
3. Be friendly. If you want a personal shopper yourself, you also expect the best service, might as well do the same.
4. Don't worry about the due time – Ensure to get things done and do your best. The timer you see within the app while shopping isn't the actual time the customer sets. It has something to do with your metrics.
5. Always come prepared – Use cooler bags for frozen and refrigerated items and shop them last to ensure it is still an adequate temperature on delivery.
6. Grab multiple carts if needed – If you want to take various batches, it means more money too!
7. Park near the cart corral to save time.
8. Be smart and efficient while shopping, and don't waste your time.
9. Don't start shopping right away. Scan your orders and get acquainted with your list.
10. Avoid backtracking in the store. It's still better to go slowly but surely.
11. Check expiration dates so that your customer will not get disappointed.
12. It's okay not to accept orders. Since you get to pick orders, you want to fulfill, factor in the location plus the traffic jam. If you have to drive 20 miles for just a $15 batch, don't hesitate to make a pass and find other batches that will earn you more money.
13. Act quickly on replacements or substitutes. Inform the customer right away, decide on the best alternative, notify the customer immediately, and then review changes.
14. Bag orders yourself; this can be an added value to customers.

These are just a few out of a hundred tips on how to be a smart shopper and earn more money at Instacart. But, you can try these right away.

PROS AND CONS

PROS	CONS
Flexible Schedule	Physically demanding
Easy to get started	Some stores have no parking space
No special skills needed	You'll encounter traffic once in a while
	Technical problems within the Instacart app
	Low paying-orders
	Additional costs such as Insurance for vehicle, gas, and maintenance

Alternatives

Grocery shopping and food delivery side-hustles are not limited to Instacart. You can check other apps that pay excellent money to shop as well.

• Doordash
• Postmates

Related reads: Capital One Shopping Review- Will it Save You Money?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you make good money with Instacart?

Instacart is one lucrative side-hustle nowadays. Significantly, most people are still limiting themselves to going outside, and of course, it's a result of the threat coronavirus caused.

It's reported that as an Instacart shopper, you can earn anywhere between $7-$10 depending on factors such as delivery time and batches completed.

How do you get high-paying batches on Instacart?

Be selective and shop quickly but accurately. Improve your customer rating and do your best. The faster you appear to the algorithm; the larger your orders could be.

How does Instacart make money?

There are several ways as to how delivery services get profit. In the case of Instacart, it earns from:

• Delivery fees– Instacart delivery starts at $3.99 for same-day orders over $35. Also, fees vary for one-hour deliveries, club store deliveries, and deliveries under $35.
• Membership fees– For Instacart Express, an annual membership is $99 and will be billed each year on the same date. If you choose the monthly membership, Instacart will charge $9.99 per month on the same day.
• Grocery store and Brand Partnerships – Instacart also earn money from its affiliate brands and stores nationwide. These brands pay Instacart when a customer shops with them. Some retailers may set prices on the Instacart platform that are different than in-store prices. 

Final Thoughts

Instacart side-hustle gig is not a get rich quick scheme but, it is 100% legit. The company has been around since 2012, and it's one of the fastest-growing companies in America.

Besides, helping people do their groceries feels good if that's your thing. Instacart boomed, most especially during the quarantine, as safety protocols were implemented, and many people are still terrified to go outside.

However, Instacart is still flourishing today as it has become part of the new normal we're living in.

A few years back, the concept of a personal shopper was tied to fashion. Nowadays, with the advancement of technology and applications, you can have your personal shopper with one tap and, on the other hand, make money out of it.

Although there are reported glitches within the Instacart app, such as double shoppers accommodating the same batches that result in confusion and waste of money, the app is continuously expanding its effort to better its system. Indeed, you can make money with Instacart.

If you think you can do good as a shopper, Instacart may be a good fit for you. However, this may also not work for you.

Have you used Instacart? If you're already working as a shopper, tell us your experiences, we love to hear from you!

Conversely, if you're checking out, you may still refer to other side-hustle gigs worth the try.