It’s OK...sometimes
If for some reason, you are unable to do your own shopping, this is an acceptable alternative. But the experience varies so much based on which shopper is randomly assigned. When an item is sold out, sone people have no common sense as to how to replace it. I’m a vegetarian, and Tokfurky Italian Vegan Sausages are often out of stock, and more than one shopper has tried to replace it with pork. And shoppers have sometimes shown up as much as an hour earlier than your scheduled time! What if someone is not home, or showering, etc? Being too early is just as bad as being too late. And when there is a 1 hour delivery window, it shouldn’t be an issue at all.
Also, you basically have to be available to approve/reject changes and live chat with shoppers in order to get what you want. So this options doesn’t work if you are actually busy and not, say, homesick. The general UX is bad too. When something is out of stock, you’re only allowed to choose from 2 possible replacements that often don’t make sense.
I basically use this when I am home sick, or in the middle of a project but still can check my phone often. If you can’t be right next to your phone during every order, avoid this app. I’m just using it until something better comes along. I like that I can shop at my local store, where I know the general stock and pricing. That’s the only thing that makes this better than Peapod or Fresh Direct.
Also, you basically have to be available to approve/reject changes and live chat with shoppers in order to get what you want. So this options doesn’t work if you are actually busy and not, say, homesick. The general UX is bad too. When something is out of stock, you’re only allowed to choose from 2 possible replacements that often don’t make sense.
I basically use this when I am home sick, or in the middle of a project but still can check my phone often. If you can’t be right next to your phone during every order, avoid this app. I’m just using it until something better comes along. I like that I can shop at my local store, where I know the general stock and pricing. That’s the only thing that makes this better than Peapod or Fresh Direct.
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Great idea, bad implementation
Most of the items are unavailable, and I had to constantly keep an eye on the messages to approve swipes or request refunds. Very poor customer experience.
Please let me know when you are ready, I’ll re try using it. I am not going to use it for many months for sure.
Please let me know when you are ready, I’ll re try using it. I am not going to use it for many months for sure.
Dishonest business practices
It turns out that every item I purchased (from Publix through instacart) was marked up, for a total increase of over 13% on my total paid from what it would have cost me in the store. When I called instacart to find out why, it was pointed out to me that on the instacart site, under the Publix logo, was a link to the Pricing Policy, where it was stated that the instacart prices may differ from the prices in the local store. Not only was the link to the pricing policy in the smallest font on the page (and therefore I didn't notice it); but also the statement that "prices may differ" seems purposefully evasive. I prefer to work with a company that is up front, honest, and ethical about their business model. Had they very noticeably proclaimed the pricing policy I would respect them more, and would have been able to make an informed decision about whether to use the service (for example, as soon as I visit the website or app, have an obvious link that says something like "a service fee will be added to each item purchased and will range from 10-15%"). The way it is hidden under obscure language feels like I am being purposefully taken advantage of. Had I known up front that I might pay 13% more to use the service, I would have had the opportunity to decide if the convenience was worth the $13. Chances are, most people like me would choose to pay that. However, since I feel lied to, I will NOT be using instacart again.
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Not worth the trouble
Screwed up my order twice. Then substituted with something no where near what I wanted. Worst of all, paid for two (5) multipack of noodles and got two singles. Paid price for 10 but got 2. What a scam.
