27 Tips to Make More Money with Instacart | How to Shop Faster & Earn More

I have worked off and on for Instacart for over four years. I have been a Full-Service Shopper, In-Store Shopper, and Shift Lead. I have completed thousands of orders and trained shoppers shopping tens of thousands of more.

Products to Make Your Deliveries Easier and Faster
3) $1.49 Ikea Bag:

Thank you Lenay for filming!

[NoKillMemphis]

I'm pretty much housebound due to medical problems. I'm in a wheelchair on oxygen, so simple things like shopping become monumental task. Instacart has been a God send for me and I just wanted to say a very heart felt thanks.

[mikecherber]

One thing I always do that customers really appreciate: When it’s hot out, this especially applies. I alway bag all cold and frozen items together (this may be a no-brainer, I realize). However, when I leave the bags at the customer’s doorstep, I always locate the frozen and refrigerated items, and place them apart from all other bags, in front, closest to the customer’s front door. This allows the customer to get them into the freezer/fridge right away, without searching for them amongst a dozen paper bags. It’s the little things that maintain a 5* rating.

[SP-fbwj]

I’m soooo glad I live somewhere where everyone has a driveway. City parking would stress me out too much

[jordanlnoel]

Tip #26: “Bring snacks! Low blood sugar will make you unhappy and you don’t need to give yourself another reason to be unhappy”😂😂😂 so true

[catherineogilvie]

I was a shopper support agent, great to see the actual shopping process. When you wait 10 minutes we give a wait time bump of $5, 20 minutes $10 extra. Also, some customers are very picky so pay attention to the type of replacement, whether default, no replacement or specific. They complain about that a lot.

EDIT: I quit after 3 months.

[randiwitkowicz]

Hi I’m a customer and I just wanted to thank all you shoppers! I always tip well over 20% because I appreciate your time! Although I understand not every customer can do that. Personally I agree with the no produce bags, I recycle all plastic bags at the grocery store and I wash my produce so I’m not afraid of bagless. Also I usually accept replacements but I’m highly lactose intolerant so I do appreciate when shoppers take the time to get a replacement that works for me. Thanks again!

[katekat]

I live in a third floor apartment. We have 2 elevators in each building. I always send instructions where to park and find the elevators. Also...if I have ordered a case of water, cat litter, etc...anything heavy... I always leave a buggy underneath the stairs next to the elevator. That means my shopper only has to make one trip. I ensure I tip well and NEVER decrease the tip after delivery!

[evon]

I normally before shopping send out a copied introduction to the customer to introduce myself and let them know briefly the process if they want to make changes while I’m shopping. Most customers commend me for the message and I’ve seen a increase in tips. So I feel that has helped me get more $$

[charlenerobbins]

As a home bound person that uses instacart almost weekly, I REALLY APPRECIATE great communication from the shopper and always raise the tip when they go above and beyond 💕 I too have a child with special needs and special diet and appreciate the extra effort to find the less common items. ❤️

[BethKnox]

To shop faster leave the cart at the end of aisle rather than walk up and down aisle. Grab multiple items quickly😉

[fzzypurpleturtle]

When I shop at Aldi I grab the "upcoming deals" flyer and tuck it into the bag. When I go to aldi I love looking at those so I add it to their orders in case they do too!

[Frebrd]

Platinum shopper here! I love it! It’s tougher in the hot weather, on your actual body…going in and out of a/c and a hot car…so take precautions!

[Pattacts]

I'm so glad I watched this. I'm just a customer but I wondered if I was wasting my time putting items on the list by groups (i.e., all produce together). Now I know it's worth the effort. Thanks Instacart shoppers!

[soloque]

As a shopper, I’ve memorized all the layouts in the stores I’ve gone to which makes it easier and faster. I always go to the produce section first and get all those items because most of the other items are on the other side of the store so you don’t have to keep walking back and forth. Also, customers always appreciate good communication, it helps with a better tip and good rating. Lastly, at checkout when unloading the cart I always put all the cold stuff together, produce together and light stuff together and save eggs and bread for last which makes it easier for the bagger.

[petinachambersmcvay]

For #1 & 12...I am just finishing my first week and I really needed to hear this. I was sent a double shipping order for Aldi's and I am not familiar with Aldi's aisle style. When my 'time' turned red, my heart sank. I finished the order, but, on the way to the first drop off, the apartment was tricky to find. Both customers were SUPER understanding! Still, in the car on the way for drop off, I teared up...felt like I was a failure (which is SO unlike me!) and just wanted to cry. 😢 It only lasted for a moment, but, still. Hearing someone say, "Don't worry about the time..." makes all the difference in the world for me. Thank you for a great "tips" video. By the way, that slow-motioned walk, while putting your sunglasses on, from the cart cool! 😎 God bless you in health and all prosperity.❤️

[Tony-zsgr]

Today was my first day and I roughly worked 5.5 hours and did 4 batches and earned 110$ I felt like I was super slow but getting around 20$ an hour was super surprising.

[paulhumphrey]

My tip. Wear a wrist band phone holder. It frees up my hand which saves me lots of time because now I'm shopping with both hands instead of one..

[ZippyZoo]

It helps when you know the layout of a store. Nothing slows you down more than having to hunt down an item in some random spot in a store.

And nothing frustrates me more than a customer who doesn't respond to messages, replacements or refunds; then proceeds to get mad when you picked the wrong replacement or refunded when they wanted another type.

[iCheerleader]

not sure if it was commented yet but i dont wanna scroll through them all. My tip with produce is i scan through and grab everything i need. a lot of times it asks for weights. So I grab it all and then i go over the the scales and start punching weights and amounts in. by doing this, i actually improved my speed by 15%. WOO!

[ESport]

Today, a guy ordered a bouquet of Rose's. at the very end of my shop, while I was bagging items, I thought, why not go grab him one of those free little kind cards and I added it to his flowers as an extra touch. if he noticed, awesome. but those little things you can amplify an order are awesome!