So, you’re thinking about becoming an Instacart shopper? Or maybe you’re already in the trenches, scanning barcodes while someone texts you “Can you make sure the bananas are perfectly yellow with no brown spots 😌?”
Welcome to the grocery Hunger Games, where the aisles are endless, the stairs are steep, and the organic section is a lawless jungle.
Let’s dive into the real pros and cons of being an Instacart shopper, backed with facts, flavored with sarcasm, and seasoned with a dash of truth.
🥦 PROS
1. Flexible Hours (aka: You Can Cry on Your Own Time)
Work when you want. Skip when you don’t. You can choose batches that fit your schedule—or turn down that 40-item order that wants to pay you $9 and ends in a fourth-floor walk-up with no elevator.
📊 A 2023 Pew Research study found that 60% of gig workers say flexibility is the best part of the job.
2. Tips Can Save the Day
Good customers exist. And when they tip like they’re Jeff Bezos, your day goes from ramen-level to steak-and-asparagus real quick.
💰 Top shoppers report making $25–$30/hr during peak times, mostly thanks to generous tipping (and prayer).
3. Cardio + Strength Training = Paid Workout
You haven’t lived until you’ve carried 12 bags, two cases of spring water, and a 30lb bag of dog food up three flights of stairs—alone.
🏋️ “If I had a dollar for every stair I’ve climbed with groceries, I’d have enough to retire and shop for fun.” —Every Instacart shopper ever
4. You Might Learn Where Quinoa Comes From
You’ll become an expert in grocery store layouts. By week three, you’ll know where they hide the chia seeds and that “gluten-free vegan tamari sauce” no one can pronounce.
🛒 CONS
1. It’s Not Like DoorDash. At All.
Unlike food delivery apps where you just pick up a hot bag and drive, Instacart shoppers do it ALL—finding items, replacing out-of-stock products, texting picky customers, waiting in checkout lines, bagging, and THEN driving.
🧾 Shopping + checkout + delivery = 3x the labor of your average DoorDash run.
And let’s not forget: You’re paid per batch, not per task. So if that oat milk is playing hide-and-seek in aisle 17, too bad.
2. The Organic Section is a Maze
You’d think finding “organic strawberries” would be easy, but no. You’re sent into the Whole Foods wilderness, where labels are vague, brands are bougie, and everything costs $8 more.
🥬 “Look for the arugula, but it has to be baby arugula, and it must be locally grown with a non-GMO sticker, or I’m rating you 2 stars.” —Karen, 37, who shops like it’s a religious ritual.
3. Your Back Hates You
That moment when you get a batch with 60 items and you already know it ends with a 3rd-floor apartment, 2 locked gates, and 1 tiny stairwell.
🚫 No elevator. No tip. Just pain.
By the time you finish carrying everything upstairs, you’re drenched in sweat and seriously reconsidering your life choices.
4. Pay Fluctuates Like Gas Prices
One hour you’re making $30, the next you’re driving across town for a $7 batch with 47 items and one mysterious request: “Surprise me with a fun dessert.” 🙃
📉 According to Gridwise, most Instacart shoppers average $13–$18/hr after expenses, and that’s if they work during peak times.
5. No Benefits, Just Vibes
Instacart shoppers are independent contractors, meaning no health insurance, no sick days, no retirement. If your knee gives out while delivering sparkling water and almond butter, you’re on your own.
🤔 Final Thoughts
Being an Instacart shopper is not for the weak. You need hustle, muscle, and the patience of a monk trying to find “avocado oil mayo” at a Walmart with no organization system.
Yes, the flexibility is unmatched. Yes, the tips can be amazing. But it takes real effort—like running-a-marathon-while-holding-eggs effort. If you’re expecting a DoorDash-style cruise control gig, this ain’t it.
Bottom Line:
If you love a challenge, want to earn quick cash, and don’t mind running errands like a professional grocery ninja, Instacart might be for you. Just don’t forget the reusable bags. And a back brace
Your Turn:
Instacart warriors, we want to hear from you. What’s your wildest batch story? Did you once carry 10 bags of ice up 5 flights of stairs in July? Drop your war stories in the comments below 🍎
