Waiving Service Fee On Instacart (2024)

FAQs

How do I save my service fee on Instacart? ›

The service fee helps support the Instacart platform and covers a range of operating costs including shopper operations, insurance, background checks, and customer support. The service fee isn't a tip and doesn't go to the shopper delivering your order.

The optional 10% fee goes to InstaCart. To opt out of the service fee, place an order through InstaCart normally. When you get to the final screen that shows your payment details and the price, tap the "Edit" button to the right of the "Service fee" option above the subtotal.

You don't need a membership to shop with Instacart. However, Instacart+, previously known as Instacart Express, is a membership option for customers who want to save more and get other exclusive benefits. You can sign up for an Instacart+ membership in the app or on the website.

By signing up for Instacart Express, you can avoid paying delivery fees on orders of $35 or more, be exempt from service fees, never pay for busy pricing, and order from multiple stores in one delivery.

At the top, you'll see Your savings. Here you'll find information about your Instacart+ Membership, such as when you became a member, how many orders you've placed, and your total savings from reduced service fees and $0 delivery fees on orders of $35 or more.

Authorization holds and adjusted totals

Authorization holds vary but are typically about 15% higher than the order total at checkout on Instacart. We use temporary holds to make sure we can cover any changes, like if you decide to add more items or if a shopper swaps an item for a different price.

In general, it's recommended to tip grocery delivery workers 15 to 20 percent—or more if it's a large or complicated order. Instacart also allows you to adjust your tip for 14 days after your order. So you could add a few more dollars if you felt your shopper went above and beyond.

While many retailers offer everyday store prices* on Instacart, other retailers may set prices on the Instacart platform that are different than in-store prices. In some cases, a flat percentage is added by the retailer to items to cover the cost of the Instacart service. *Some in-store sales/promotions may not apply.

Is DoorDash or Instacart cheaper? ›

The Short Answer. DoorDash tends to be cheaper for meal deliveries, while Instacart specializes in grocery deliveries. Since DoorDash focuses on food delivery from restaurants and has a larger market share in the US, they can sometimes offer better deals for meals than Instacart.

Both Hindert and Gagarin agree that, depending on your situation and how frequently you use the service, having an Instacart membership is worth it. “Saving money using grocery delivery services is largely dependent on how much your time is worth,” says Gagarin.

“Retailer prices in the Instacart marketplace, including Stop & Shop's, are often higher than in-store pricing in order to cover the costs of Instacart's platform and same day delivery services,” the spokesperson said in an email.

Order ahead to save money

An easy way to save money is to order your groceries ahead of time. The Instacart app offers a $2 discount when you select a three-hour delivery window or schedule grocery delivery for the next day. This doesn't affect the shoppers, but it could be a benefit to the customer.

To sign up as a full-service shopper when you are currently an in-store shopper, or vice versa, you will have to request that we reset your signup process. You can do this by scrolling down and selecting Submit a request at the bottom of this page.

Retailers set the item prices on the Instacart marketplace. While many retailers offer everyday store prices* on Instacart, some retailers may set prices on the Instacart platform that are different than in-store prices. *Some in-store sales/promotions may not apply.