I Added a New Side Gig: Instacart Shopper

This is how it’s going so far

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I enjoy doing a variety of jobs. I don’t think I could ever have just one job again. I’d get bored too easily.

My primary job is a server at a restaurant and I really enjoy the work (most of the time; let’s be honest, it’s an emotionally tough job and we all get grouchy sometimes). I also write blog posts and do social media work and I’m writing a novel. I have a slew of short stories on Amazon under a pen name so I spend a little time promoting those on Twitter so they still sell.

I have some days when I just don’t feel like doing any of those, though, so when I found out that Instacart was looking for shoppers in my city, I decided to give it a try.

The application process

It was easy enough to apply. I downloaded the app, filled in all the relevant information, and uploaded documents.

You have to prove you are who you say you are, of course. You also have to submit your driver’s license and get a background check.

Then it was time to wait.

My background check was done in a matter of days, but I’ve heard others say they had to wait for a week or more.

Payment of goods

Once you’re approved, you need to add a payment source to the app in order to see “batches”. Those are the orders that people have put in and the list of items.

Instacart gave me a digital card that I could add to Google Pay/Google Wallet. I got that set up and pretty soon I started seeing batches appear.

I have never used Google Wallet before though, so I was kind of hesitant. I decided to wait until I got my physical card in the mail.

The card took a while to come, though. All in all, I ended up waiting for almost three weeks! I was getting kind of antsy, but it finally arrived and I added it to the app.

My first day as an Instacart shopper

I was super nervous about doing my first batch, but I knew I would just have to get it done and get my footing. So, yesterday, the day after I got my physical card, I accepted my first batch.

My first batch had 14 items and was at Real Canadian Superstore. I don’t know the store super well, but I’ve been there often enough that it wasn’t too bad. I had to contact the customer (who didn’t respond) several times. One item had to be refunded because there simply weren’t any substitutions. For the other items, I made substitutions that seemed logical to me.

The location of the delivery was 2.9 km away and the lady who came to the door was pretty nice. She looked a little frazzled, so I’m guessing she might have had an off day, or maybe she had some little kids driving her crazy! Either way, I hoped I made her day better.

I got $7 for the batch earnings and $4.49 for the tip, so $11.49 all together.

From start to finish (dropping off at the door) the batch took 1 hour and 7 minutes.

I kept going!

I was feeling a lot less nervous after that, so I kept going. I had nothing else pressing that I had to do that day, so I figured, why not?

The second batch had 14 items (28 units, meaning several multiples) and was at Walmart. I know the layout of Walmart a little better, so I was hoping it would go faster.

Unfortunately, I had to get turned around so turned down a side street to make a U-turn. Well, we have had a load of snow in the past couple weeks and our city SUCKS at clearing it and yep; you guessed it; I got stuck!

My car is a mid-size sedan and kind of low to the ground and not heavy. Under all that snow is a sheet of ice, so I was just spinning my wheels. Fortunately, Canadians are awesome and I soon had about 7 people out there with shovels, bags of gravel and muscle. It took about 15 minutes to get the car out though, even with all those people!

Finally, I was on my way again!

I had to communicate with the buyer several times again, but once again, no responses. So, I made a substitution or two, went through the register, paid, and was on my way.

The delivery destination was about a block from my house, 2.2 km away from the store, so I was worried about getting stuck again but I made it to the delivery destination without getting stuck! Yay.

At the house, a young boy received the box of groceries and I was thinking about heading home.

I made $7 for batch earnings and another $4.34 in tips for this one.

The second batch took 1 hour and ten minutes.

I was just about to head home when another batch popped up. It was not a big one, but for some reason I felt like I should take it.

Back to Walmart I went. 12 items, 14 units.

One of the items was kitty litter. The buyer requested the Walmart brand, but they were all out. The only other brand was a more expensive option — about $5 more. I didn’t want to substitute without her agreement, but it was kitty litter — she likely really needed it. Dirty litter is gross.

So, I took the option of calling her. She was so sweet. I could tell she was an older lady. She said the substitution was fine.

I head back to the cash register, scanned the items, paid and was on the way. This house was 2.6 km away, and I got there quickly.

The buyer met me at the door and she was indeed an older lady with a very sweet kitty. She invited me in to warm up for a minute and we chatted. I told her it was my first day, and she asked how it went. I hope I see one of her batches on the app again.

I made $7 from the batch and $2.21 for a tip on that order.

From beginning to end, the third batch took 1 hour and 2 minutes.

Final thoughts

Yesterday, I made $32.06 in batches and tips. Active time (from the time I “start shopping” to the time the item is delivered) was 3 hours and 16 minutes. This doesn’t count the time that I take to drive back to the store from wherever I am. So, add about 20 minutes in driving time and at least 15 minutes in being stuck time.

My earnings per hour sucked! LOL.

But I’m ok with that right now. I’m learning and I’m hoping I’ll get faster at shopping.

I’ve been going through the cash registers because I think I saw in one of the Facebook groups I’m in that we are not supposed to use self-checkout. But honestly? I think it would make it a lot faster and I might just start doing self-checkout, anyway. As long as I’m not claiming their groceries on my points cards or something, I can’t see why anyone would care.

Self-checkout would also make it easier to pack my groceries/batches.

Speaking of packing…

I live in a “no plastic bags” city. Like it is literally against the local laws for stores to provide plastic bags. Some stores make paper bags available, but not all of them do. Some stores make boxes available, but not most of them.

That means packing is my problem.

So, I’ve been collecting boxes from my work (they re-use some of them but most of them get thrown into recycling; they are already flattened but boxing tap fixes that) and I have a bunch of them in my trunk. I think I’m going to make sure I have several boxes ready to go before I go out to do some deliveries.

I also bought a bunch of paper bags. They have handles and are a good size. Nicer than the ones at the store. I figure it’s a nice touch for my customers and I can write it off on my taxes.

I’m going to make up a bunch of thank-you notes, as well; I’ll add them to the orders before I deliver. Nice touch, right?

I’m going to keep doing Instacart for now. I’m tracking my time and my mileage so I can see if it is worth continuing.

I enjoyed my day yesterday though so even if I don’t make a lot of money, I might keep doing it.

Have you tried delivering as a side gig? Did you like it or not? I’d love to hear your experience!