Do Instacart Shoppers get Tips? (Yes, Here Is How Much)

Do you know if Instacart shoppers get tips? this is one of the questions our readers ask a lot. Well, we´ve got you covered.

Instacart is the largest and most popular grocery delivery service and is currently accessible to over 80% of households in the United States.

Instacart partners with nearly twenty thousand retailers across five thousand cities in the United States. Instacart hires local independent contractors, called Shoppers to fulfill delivery orders.

So, do Instacart shoppers get tips? Yes, Instacart shoppers are eligible for tips. Instacart recommends tips that are 5-10% of the order total. Shoppers are eligible for tips and keep 100% of their tip profit. Instacart provides protections for tip money and encourages generous tipping for the hard work of Instacart Shoppers.

Shoppers can receive tip cash out in as little as two hours.

Do Instacart Shoppers receive tips?

Instacart shoppers are eligible for tips. Instacart recommends tips that are 5-10% of the order total. 

Additionally, Instacart offers protection against the practice of “tip baiting” where buyers change the tip amount after the order has been delivered.

If a customer zeroes out the tip they gave the following delivery without reporting an issue with the order, Instacart will cover the amount of the initial tip up to $10. 

Read also: Does Instacart Pay Hourly – Shopper Pay (Best Tips – Explained!)

Do Instacart Shoppers get to keep all of the tips they receive?

Instacart keeps 100% of the tips they receive from order deliveries. Instacart does not take any percentage of Shopper tip money.

Not only do Instacart shoppers keep all of the tip money, Instacart has several features that encourage higher tips. For example, buyers are automatically prompted to consider raising the tip amount if they give a Shopper a five-star rating.

Additionally, buyers who leave no tip are prompted at checkout to add a tip to recognize the hard work of the Shopper.

How much money do Instacart Shoppers make?

The pay for Instacart Shoppers is highly variable as pay is often dictated by the specific “gig.” Payment components are outlined in the Shopper app, allowing Shoppers to review estimated earnings before claiming the order.

Factors that influence the pay on a given Instacart order include:

• Size of the order
• Time of day when the order is placed
• Number of items in the order and size of items in the order
• How difficult each item is to shop for
• Estimated delivery distance
• Batch incentives, quality bonuses, peak boosts, and customer tips

The commonly cited pay range is $14-19 an hour. Skilled shoppers in many metropolitan areas can make upwards of $25 an hour.

Instacart does not pay a wage, so Shoppers only receive pay for completing orders.

How much should I tip my Instacart Shopper?

Instacart recommends a minimum tip amount of 5%, although generous tips for great service are heavily encouraged.

Most buyers use the general rule that more complicated orders (such as orders that require carrying groceries up stairs, special requests, long delivery distance, etc) should receive higher tips.

An easy way to calculate an appreciative tip is to give your Shopper $1 a bag.

Read also: What Does Instacart Look For In A Background Check

How do I tip my Instacart Shopper?

All payment transactions, including tips, are completed through the Instacart mobile app. Payments through external apps or cash are not necessary. Instacart allows customers to change a tip for up to three days. 

Zeroing out a tip after delivery is a practice called “tip baiting” and is highly discouraged. Buyers must report an order issue to justify removing a tip amount.

How do I become an Instacart Shopper?

Shopping for Instacart can be a great way to make extra money. Demand for Shoppers is particularly high in major cities, however, Instacart Shoppers are hired in all fifty states.

The following requirements are necessary to work for Instacart:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be eligible to work in the United States
• Have a valid driver’s license and regular access to a registered vehicle
• Have a smartphone that’s compatible with the Instacart Shopper App (Android 5.0, iOS 9, or newer)
• Be able to lift 30+ lbs with or without accommodation
• Acquire a set of insulated bags
• Pass a background check

There are two categories for Instacart Shoppers and contractors get to choose which role is the right fit for them.

In-Store Instacart Shopper

In-store shoppers receive these orders through an app on their smartphone and then shop and stage the groceries in-store.

Shoppers usually complete orders at one store and can work up to twenty-nine hours a week. No car is required for this Shopper role.

Full-Service Shopper (Shop and Deliver)

Full-Service Instacart Shoppers receive orders through an app on their smartphone, then shop and deliver groceries to the customer’s door.

Consistent access to a vehicle is required for this role, however, Full-Service Shoppers are not reimbursed for the cost of gas for deliveries.

Instacart offers certain incentives for Full-Service Shoppers that can increase pay, such as peak pay bonuses and double batching to increase hourly pay.

What are the perks for Instacart Shoppers?

Shopping for Instacart as an independent contractor can be a great fit for participants in the gig economy.

As the largest grocery delivery service, Instacart has been able to experiment with policies that benefit Shoppers. These perks, policies, and protections include:

• Choice of Shopper Role (Full Service or In-Store)
• Schedule flexibility: Shoppers choose their hours, as well as when and where they want to shop.
• Instant Cash Out of Tips
• Tip Protection
• Batch Bonuses

Recap

As demand for grocery delivery increases, Instacart has become a mainstay in grocery delivery service.

For independent contractors who shop of Instacart, there are many benefits, including tips, flexible scheduling, and certain protective policies enacted to protect Shoppers.

Instacart Shoppers are eligible for tips and keep 100% of the tip amount.

References

https://shoppers.instacart.com/contracts

https://shoppers.instacart.com/instacart-jobs