• Instacart

Instacart

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Overview

Instacart has a rating of 1.2 stars from 2,477 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about Instacart most frequently mention customer service, credit card, and grocery store problems. Instacart ranks 134th among Grocery Delivery sites.

  • Service
    597
  • Value
    560
  • Shipping
    401
  • Returns
    408
  • Quality
    498
Positive reviews (last 12 months): 1.1%
Positive
1
Neutral
1
Negative
91
455
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How would you rate Instacart?
Top Positive Review

“Convenient Grocery Delivery Service”

Rekhmir S.
4/2/24

Instacart offers a convenient grocery delivery service, allowing me to shop from my favorite stores without leaving home. Whether I need fresh produce, pantry staples, or specialty items, Instacart delivers everything I need with reliable service and fast delivery. I appreciate the flexibility of scheduling delivery windows and the option to communicate with my shopper in real-time. Instacart has become a lifesaver, especially during busy weeks

Top Critical Review

“Bad customer service”

Mike K.
9/14/24

I had to wait on hold for 35 minutes before the problem with my order was addressed. The shopper delivered someone else's order. I'm not upset about that - nobody is perfect. What is outrageous to me is the time I had to spend on-hold waiting for a person in the "delivery mistakes" deptartment to get on the line. The person who answered my call was not allowed to take care of the problem, whether rescheduled delivery or refund, so I had to be punished with a long wait on the phone. When the wrong order delivered person finally got on the line, they rescheduled my delivery for tomorrow and promised some discounts or free delivery or something else because I had a hard time understanding what she was saying. For all the money I spend in a year with Instacart, I would expect far better customer service than this!

Reviews (2,477)

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Reviews that mention popular keywords

customer service (654) credit card (194) service fee (172) delivery fee (136) grocery store (110)
Thumbnail of user nadineg57
New York
1 review
1 helpful vote
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January 17th, 2022
Verified purchase

I have used Instacart for years whenever I'm unable to make it to the market. The last couple times I gave ordered I was overcharged and customer service claims there is nothing they can do and there is no manager available to talk to. They also take half of the shoppers tip once the delivery is done.

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Value
Shipping
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Thumbnail of user georgetteo
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 28th, 2021

Twice this week I have ordered from Ralph's and used Instacart and twice the cold food has been cool, on the verge of being warm and melted ice cream. The 2 hour window took more than 2 hours in both cases. I understand maybe being busy or not enough employees, but with the cold food being on the verge of being warm is not acceptable. Instacart needs to be accountable!

Thumbnail of user martab31
Oklahoma
1 review
1 helpful vote
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April 3rd, 2020

My mom ordered Aldi using instacart on Monday, March 30. She has been rescheduled several times now. She was rescheduled to Wednesday evening. Then changed to late Wednesday, then to Friday afternoon and now Sunday! My parents can't get out as they are the vulnerable population. My mom has been unable to text the shopper, who apparently does not exist. She has tried changing her password to see if that would help, but it has not. I sent an email on her behalf last night, but found out this morning she could hardly sleep she is so upset. This is no way to treat a client. And there is no direct phone number that she can call the store. In the meantime, I discovered that a friend used Aldi instacart yesterday and got her groceries that same day. What is going on! I am so angry with instacart and Aldi right now!

Thumbnail of user erilg
California
1 review
2 helpful votes
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March 24th, 2021

They over charge me.my receipt says 145.00 an I was charged twice for 1 item that was 9.99. So my order really was 135.00 but I paid 190.00 the hold on my card was for 205.00 so I gave the driver an 11.00 tip I received free delivery an my service fee was 14.00 that comes to 160.00 what happened to the other 30 dollars I emailed an call an they said I was charged correctly wish I could add a picture of my receipt. This was my first an last time using this app

Thumbnail of user cynthiat355
Canada
1 review
4 helpful votes
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March 27th, 2020

I used Instacart for the first time yesterday as we are self-isolating for the corona virus. My personal shopper kept in touch with me by text, letting me know what items were out of stock and asking for approval for substitutes. He was pleasant and articulate and communication was excellent. The food was delivered to our front porch, and I was very pleased with everything. This service kept me and my husband from having to go out and possibly being exposed to the virus. I could not be happier.

Thumbnail of user terim119
California
1 review
1 helpful vote
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June 22nd, 2020

STAY AWAY FROM INSTACART! This service is dishonest and takes advantage of the Pandemic crisis. Beware! I was over charged items 100% - I called them and sent emails which were ignored. All I wanted was the breakdown of what I was charged. They said they have their own pricing list. What? I thought you pay for service and delivery plus tip not for their altered items and food prices. So dishonest! NOW YOU KNOW. Stay away! Attached hereto is comparison of Costco prices and Instacart detail. (I gave extra cash to delivery lady)

Thumbnail of user keving1386
Florida
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 12th, 2022

We ordered groceries and paid online. When the delivery driver came she asked for the cash. No receipt, order wrong. Tried to call instacart but they would not provide any receipt either. We were double charged for an incorrect order. Driver was unfriendly and ripped us off.

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Thumbnail of user gregu28
Florida
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 4th, 2021

I worked for Instacart and did an instant payout for what I earned that week, I never received it or a second payout. I contacted them through email (because its email or text only) to let them know I never got the money and they told me I have to go to my bank and ask for a reimbursement because they deposited in some other account. What they are in essence telling me is it's my problem they screwed up and I have to fix. Of course my bank or any other bank isn't going to reimburse money they never received so I'm out $500. Plus gas and wear and tear on my vehicle. My advice is don't just don't work for these crooks.

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Thumbnail of user kevina763
New York
1 review
5 helpful votes
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April 15th, 2020

It is by far the worst out there. It lures you to order whatever you want and then it rushes you in a half an hour period to constantly replace your orders and also puts orders on their website that for fact they know its not available and the shopper person cancels them immediately. The shopper also doesn't care at all, which is understandable based on the foundation of the business.

Thumbnail of user nancyh720
Virginia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 12th, 2020

We have been using the service for more than two years. 95% of the time - service is excellent. Like so many in a national crisis, they were overwhelmed with triple the demand almost over night. Being overwhelmed leads to hurry then mistakes and then necessary changes. Most of the negative reviews I've read show a lack of patience and immediate personal demands to be met. Does instacart need to make some changes - yes but from my overall and recent experiences - it appears they are working to meet the demand. Instacart needs to think about Longterm and their loyal membership while consumers need to be a little more empathetic in a crisis and appreciate the service this is to a community in turmoil. One thing that I think is important is to be sure their shoppers have the necessary tools to do their jobs-particularly now. The bottom line based on my experience is that the service is very good.

Thumbnail of user bills252
Pennsylvania
1 review
1 helpful vote
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August 20th, 2017

How hard can this really be? The app is down right useless when it comes to reporting a problem which, is a common occurrence. Support is just laughable. The support people talk as if they are 12 years old! If you decide to join this company make sure you check all of your items and do not review until you see if all the items were received. I also believe the delivery people found some sort of loop hole when it comes to missing items and charging your credit card as if they were purchased. This is why you must check all of your items and report asap.

Thumbnail of user barnettz1
California
1 review
2 helpful votes
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May 5th, 2019

Use of Instacart has become a weekly nightmare in our home. With almost every order, there's has been a constant and consistent element of frustration, annoyance, inconvenience and extremely poor customer service in using Instacart. While Instacart has completely jaded us on their service, I trust Amazon Fresh will provide better implementation of this simple concept.

Thumbnail of user loisb114
California
1 review
4 helpful votes
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April 3rd, 2020

My Costco order was to have been delivered on a Wednesday morning. My husband and I were both home waiting. I get a text the delivery was made at 10:53 am, but we never received anything and then they put the charge on my credit card! I texted back the delivery person, no response. I texted Instacart at least six times and just got automated responses that they were busy would respond when they could. I emailed them and got same response. I tried calling and got recording that said the hold time would be two hours! After two days with no reply I contacted my credit card company to remove the charge. This company is either crooked or hopelessly incompetent.

Thumbnail of user rugerk
Arizona
1 review
3 helpful votes
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March 27th, 2020

Instacart is no longer relevant or useful. No fault of the driver, but the Instacart system is impossible to navigate, there is NO customer care and no way to reach support by chat or phone any longer. Since grocery stores and pharmacies are woefully out of stock on just about everything, Instacart cannot neither locate nor deliver most anything you need. Therefore, in most places in North America in 2020, they are obsolete.

Thumbnail of user jenniferm802
Minnesota
2 reviews
2 helpful votes
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September 12th, 2018

Ordered at noon on Monday. No show at 8 pm and then again for the next 2 nights. 3 strikes and you're out. Spent hours on the phone trying to resolve and never received them. What an incredible waste of time! Got to go... I'm off to shop for myself.

Thumbnail of user frankc729
Missouri
1 review
1 helpful vote
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April 4th, 2020

Ordered groceries from the local store. Instacart posted the groceries were delivered. Nothing at my door. Tried to contact Instacart. Could not get anyone to talk with. I am now out the price of a week's groceries and had to purchase them again in person. 0 rating is not allowed.

Thumbnail of user markp1403
Connecticut
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 24th, 2020

Driver Katrina, Delivery to East Haven, CT stole my delivery and refused to answer messages or calls from the company. Company just says here's a refund, and refused to get new items after I asked. If you get this person, ask for another. This company doesn't care.

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Thumbnail of user betsyh11
New York
3 reviews
12 helpful votes
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January 7th, 2018

I ordered some groceries using Instacart & my regular supermarket. The shopper substituted items on a whim - some of which I was allergic to - and did not pay attention to my notes under some of the grocery items. When I called Instacart they were mean, refused to credit me with the wrong items & in the end I paid $50.00 more than if I had gone to the store myself. They are a terrible company with the worst customer service I have ever experienced. Do NOT use them.

Thumbnail of user diansc
Michigan
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 2nd, 2020

I use instacart one time and it was okay the second time it was a nightmare which was today Super Bowl day of all times! I told him I do not want Frozen Kroger brand waffles they were delivered. I called the second time on the same order and added something was never put in and you can tell the guy didn't even start shopping yet Trico the instacart is a thing of the past with me. Total incompetence

Thumbnail of user jamest989
Connecticut
1 review
6 helpful votes
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March 29th, 2020

Most of the items I originally ordered had to be changed or they didn't have. Terrible experience at pickup. Was to to go the cashiers then once inside I was told to (through text) go back into my car in wait at the designated curbside pick up area. Waited there for 20 mins. And no one came out so I left. I then get text that they're busy and I was to go back inside... Just an overall nightmare!

Thumbnail of user adaml316
Colorado
1 review
18 helpful votes
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May 8th, 2020

The addition of the service fee on every order to pay your platform costs, background checks etc is absolutely ludicrous! I already pay a delivery fee AND a separate tip. I paid 15 dollars on average for this stupid service fee. I experimented and when I bought the exact same ingredients at the store i paid 67.43 less than with your stupid fees! You already increase the cost of each item from the price in store for even more profit. This should be illegal. Not a happy customer!

Thumbnail of user jamess215
Maryland
6 reviews
21 helpful votes
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December 4th, 2021

I clearly saw driver WHILE i was texting him in app.
He kep pretending not to see me and drove past me as I'm texting him to please stop and deliver my food.
He then finally drove off.
I see that my order was then canceled! And I was charged a fee to boot!
I figured out what happened, he pretended that he never got a reply from me.
He also claimed ot call me, but no calls received.
Completely disgusting lack of help from instacart support
They would rather cover for bad shoppers than keep customers.
You're all replaceable since Instacart is still making money had over fist because of Pandemic.
So now I have to wait 5-10 days for this huge charge to come off my credit card AND this creep gets ot keep MY food!

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user peggym56
Indiana
1 review
2 helpful votes
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January 9th, 2018

I got hooked on the 10 off 1st delivery, which honestly went just fine, no complaint there.
Then I saw $149 charge for subscription charge on my credit card. I tried to cancel it, since it had only been 4 days since I received my first order. But alas, they will not refund the subscription. I will have to use it again to justify the 'membership' I do not want, but am very fearful after reading all these reviews.
I will continue to try to get a refund.
Wish me luck

Thumbnail of user lisac809
Illinois
2 reviews
9 helpful votes
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March 15th, 2019

Not only did Instacart charge me for delivery (when my order was free) but they put on a recurring charge my grocery bill, delivery charge and a 99.00 monthly service fee. When I attempted to contact them, with the same information I ordered with, they could not find me in their system which resulted in my having to close my credit card and open another.

Don't use them! Even though I really loved their personal shopper experience, the shopper could not even update the app with exceptions.

Thumbnail of user michelm229
Canada
1 review
1 helpful vote
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June 19th, 2023

Takes a lot of energy to use, you don't get what you want, the service not free as advertised - don't go there! Although they have charged me for a year's membership and I can't get out of it (about $100) because I didn't read their introductory offer to their "free" service I will not use them again. Way too much hassle.

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Instacart delivers groceries from local stores in two hours. Choose from stores like Whole Foods Market, Target, Costco and Petco. Try us today for free.

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