• Instacart

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Overview

Instacart has a rating of 2.05 stars from 13 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Instacart ranks 169th among Grocery sites.

  • Service
    6
  • Value
    6
  • Shipping
    3
  • Returns
    5
  • Quality
    6
Positive reviews (last 12 months): 40%
Positive
2
Neutral
0
Negative
3
See all photos
How would you rate Instacart?
Top Positive Review

“Grateful that they exist!”

S P.
6/24/23

Have been a monthly member since 2021 and would have starved had I not learned about them. Shop early so selection is best and be patient enough to choose replacements for each item or else a refund and if you regularly shop for the same things you can make subsequent shopping experiences quicker. In the beginning both while you are learning how to navigate through the website, you can create lists of items you wish to buy regularly and can specifically shop within a list of things you can pick from rather than typing each item each and every time you order. Saves alot of time. In the beginning there were a couple of concerns that I no longer encounter and customer service was really good about. They have saved me alot of time at relatively no cost and I recommend them highly. Thank you.

Top Critical Review

“Scams”

Ositadinma M.
5/16/23

Their customer service is terrible and they take people's money without their consent from their account! I have had a claim for a month now trying to get a refund and they keep telling me it's not possible when my bank has told me to reach out to them so many times. Scammers! Taking people's hard earned money

Reviews (13)

Rating

Timeframe

Other

Thumbnail of user osita.mbamalu
1 review
1 helpful vote
May 16th, 2023

Their customer service is terrible and they take people's money without their consent from their account! I have had a claim for a month now trying to get a refund and they keep telling me it's not possible when my bank has told me to reach out to them so many times. Scammers! Taking people's hard earned money

Products used:
Their not trustworthy employees

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user karimah9
1 review
2 helpful votes
April 17th, 2023

I loved it at first, even though it was very expensive. I had a few problems and customer service instantly fixed it. Then they sent me a promo code which didn't work and I was overcharged $40. I had to go back and forth with them and each time it was a different person who asked me for the same information every time! I finally said enough and asked them one final time to make it right and credit my account. Still have not heard back and I don't expect to. Wish I hadn't taken out an annual membership because now I'm stuck with them, but I certainly won't be renewing, and nor will I recommend them to anyone ever again!

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
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Thumbnail of user donnac32
5 reviews
121 helpful votes
April 4th, 2020

When I order up north no problem but Florida been 2 days still once again they will probably cancel me today 2 hour wait on phone

Thumbnail of user sp423
1 review
0 helpful votes
June 24th, 2023

Have been a monthly member since 2021 and would have starved had I not learned about them. Shop early so selection is best and be patient enough to choose replacements for each item or else a refund and if you regularly shop for the same things you can make subsequent shopping experiences quicker. In the beginning both while you are learning how to navigate through the website, you can create lists of items you wish to buy regularly and can specifically shop within a list of things you can pick from rather than typing each item each and every time you order. Saves alot of time. In the beginning there were a couple of concerns that I no longer encounter and customer service was really good about. They have saved me alot of time at relatively no cost and I recommend them highly. Thank you.

Products used:
Groceries, household, office supplies

Service
Value
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user veed5
20 reviews
34 helpful votes
February 12th, 2022

A while back I had a shopper that didn't know the difference between body lotion, and body scrub. I tried to guide him, but he was lazy and listed the rest of the items on my list as unavailable. I told a rep, that I keep getting sh! Tty shoppers, the rep threatened to hang up because of my language.

Recently, I requested refunds because some of the items (including meats) I received were about to expire. They told me that the next time I do this, I'll have to return the items myself in store and I will only get up to $25 in refunds. It felt like a backhanded way of insinuating that I'm scamming. I don't have control over shopper's selection.

Service
Value
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user jasonw1594
1 review
1 helpful vote
December 27th, 2021

I got my $40 refund finally after talking to Instacart customer service person to person, this is the best way to solve the problem rather than emails

Thumbnail of user samanthac368
2 reviews
3 helpful votes
September 23rd, 2020

I enjoy the app. I did just however find out the price in the app is what you pay. I assumed if an item was on sale it would just be discounted on the final bill. I understood it would show while you're shopping. So they are now making money on a service fee, delivery fee, and whatever extra they made off of me shopping for sale items and then charging me extra. Hugely disappointed

Thumbnail of user susanmarinachartrand
1 review
3 helpful votes
April 5th, 2023

Made an order didn't receive one item. The total was adjusted but instead of a refund they double charged me and stole my money. I called and emailed, filed a complaint they closed it. They don't know how to read bank statements. Closed my instacart account. They obviously need the money more than I do.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user heathery87
2 reviews
4 helpful votes
September 16th, 2021

If you think you will save time, THAT's in your dream! Expect to get stuck for 3 hours to answer ‘OBVIOUS' questions that a two-year- old can figure out! AND then, expect to either get different or missing items!

Thumbnail of user markd227
5 reviews
4 helpful votes
February 24th, 2024

Very expensive! Upcharges on the items were sometimes 20% over the cost of the item. Then delivery charge, service fee and distance charge.
On a $220 Sams order. They cost $70 to get it delivered! Outrageous!

Thumbnail of user mandyh76
2 reviews
12 helpful votes
May 22nd, 2020

In spite of being able to list one's loyalty cards on the app the cards are not used towards purchases. Today, I lost out on over $20 worth of PC Optimum points that I was hoping for (since I am unemployed and every cent counts right now!) as my loyalty card was not used for my purchase at Real Canadian Superstore. When I brought up the missing points with Instacart, I was told: "You can add your loyalty cards on Instacart so you can earn points or perks from the specific retailer every time you purchase through Instacart. However, redeeming your points or rewards cannot be done through Instacart and you have to make the purchase directly from the retailer." What in the actual heck?! This doesn't even make sense! I have cancelled my membership and will be getting pickup directly from the store in future. I don't know who benefited from my PC points today but, as far as I can tell, this is fraudulent and a scam. You have been warned!

Thumbnail of user mikek1361
4 reviews
4 helpful votes
June 22nd, 2022

Instacart offered a $10 discount if one shopped at Dollarama Plus, then failed to provide it when I ordered. The only limitation was the expiry date (June 24th) which still has not been reached. I was informed that, while they did not inform me of this, there was a total limit of how many discounts would be provided. They never admitted they were wrong but, after much time and trouble, they finally gave me a $10 discount for any store with a September expiry. They apologized for the trouble I experienced but they should have honoured the discount, at least, after I complained the first time. From a legal point of view, the sale is a contract between Instacart and myself. Neither side can arbitrarily and unilaterally impose a condition after the sale has been made even if a mistake was made. A court might change a contract due to an extreme situation but that does not apply in this case. I did not want to cancel the order as I wanted the food and I thought that Instacart would fix the problem, as it had times in the past, without much time and trouble on my part. How wrong I was.

Thumbnail of user lisek
7 reviews
11 helpful votes
March 20th, 2024

There seem to be a lot of poor reviews for Instacart, but I'm going to add my experiences here.

I started using Instacart after a hip surgery - I was not going to be able to drive for two weeks and maneuvering through a supermarket on crutches was not feasible for some time. I was reluctant to place my first order because I'd NEVER had anyone do my grocery shopping for me. I'm the kind of person that likes to see and handle things before purchasing, make sure the fruit is firm and the dated items aren't expired.
But since I had no choice I went ahead and placed my first order.

I have now been using Instacart steadily for the past 4 years! It's been SO helpful. I work full time and maintain a busy schedule during my free time. Knowing that there's one less chore I have to worry about has been so helpful. The shoppers...for the most part...have done a great job!

Here's the thing - if your shopper doesn't do a great job, let's say they forgot something or the fruit they picked for you got damaged or something is just not right, customer service is incredibly responsive. I've had no problems getting refunds for incorrect orders - you can reach out ot them via chat or there's even a phone number. The app is very easy to use - like anything else, you may need ot take some time to learn all the bells and whistles, but trust me, it's not that hard.

Oh, and the shoppers can keep in touch with you via the app - there's a chat function. My shoppers sometimes send me photos asking me which version of an item I'd like? If I'd like a substitution for something that's not available? It's really been wonderful.

So I would give them a try. Highly recommend.

Service
Value
Quality

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