Ordering grocery deliveries is a luxury, but right now more people may be trying it due to COVID-19. That means more people may be signing up for these services for the first time. This post breaks down Instacart and how to use services like it.
To be clear, this post is not a recommendation for any specific service. It’s for informational use only. But this post will give you a quick guide for signing up with a service like Instacart.
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Getting Started
First, what is Instacart? It’s a service that allows you to shop for items at certain grocery stores. The platform pairs you with an Instacart employee who then picks up the items and delivers them to your home or sets them aside for you to come and pick up. Instacart allows you to order from a variety of stores in your area – depending on availability and location.
You can use Instacart on your phone or on your computer. It’s worth having the app on your phone even if you use the computer for ordering since it will alert you of updates to your order and the delivery status. I did find the computer a little easier when it comes to looking for items and putting together my shopping list.
Once you have downloaded the app or navigated to the website, you can create a login specifically for Instacart, or you can sign in with a Facebook or Google account. Make sure you set the correct zip code for the delivery address for your groceries.
Ordering from Instacart
In the top left corner of the homepage, you will see the word “Stores” with an arrow. Click here to bring up the list of available stores in your delivery area. The list is divided between delivery and pickup.
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When you have selected your store, you can either use the search bar to find a specific item or click on the “Departments” banner to see a list of items broken up into categories. If you are over 21, you can order alcohol if the store carries it. You will need to prove your age upon delivery of any alcoholic beverages.
Adding Items to Your Cart
When you have selected an item, you can click on it to “add to your cart,” which will put that item on your checkout list. You can also edit the quantity, or remove the item, on the item page or in your cart before you checkout. You can edit your cart up until your shopper is picking up your items. Your total will reflect the items bought, and you will not be charged for items the shopper is not able to find or replace.
Checking out on Instacart
Once you have finished adding to your cart, you can click on the icon in the top right corner to see your items. Adjust them how you see fit, then click on “Checkout” at the bottom to pay and complete your order.
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The service you use to online shop may offer a membership to save money on delivery and other fees if you will be ordering regularly.
You can now select a delivery address, delivery time and enter your personal and payment information. Keep in mind that delivery services may see increases during the COVID-19 pandemic, so the delay for scheduling your delivery may be longer than normal.
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