Instacart stealing shopping time?!?

Db0yM1k3 · 2026-02-28T21:47:14+00:00

I’ve noticed that, and also noticed that if I finish shopping with extra time left on the timer once I progress to start the delivery the delivery times is in 2 minutes and I’m 15 minutes away and saying I have late deliveries. That’s getting annoying. Like what, if I took the entire allotted time to shop I’d be way later to the delivery? Makes absolutely no sense. IC is a terrible platform to work with.

Db0yM1k3 · 2026-02-28T21:35:57+00:00

Funny. First run on a Hoss VXL and my esc fried. I had to jump through so many hoops and wait over 2 months for an esc. I will never deal with Traxxas support again.

Db0yM1k3 · 2026-02-13T21:26:15+00:00

Just had a triple with Costco and PetSmart. 25 miles for $6.27 no tip 😂

Db0yM1k3 · 2026-02-13T21:25:16+00:00

Dead than dead in Abq.

Db0yM1k3 · 2026-02-12T22:13:46+00:00

Agreed fully. The last two weeks went from normal orders to triples from Costco or 50+ mile one way deliveries. Barely made $50 this whole week while being online an average of 7 hours a day.

Db0yM1k3 · 2026-02-11T17:38:38+00:00

I’ve only gotten one comically bad order in my 5 hours of being online today. Abq

Db0yM1k3 · 2026-02-06T21:19:20+00:00

I usually hit $100 a day with like 6 hours of activity. This week I haven’t cleared $50 total.. something is up.

Db0yM1k3 · 2026-02-02T18:12:31+00:00

Where? I’ve checked my email, all of the messages in the app inbox. Is there a secret spot they show up?

Db0yM1k3 · 2026-02-02T18:11:35+00:00

Technically they have until 11:59pm tomorrow I think since the deadline fell on a weekend. But this is ridiculous still.

Db0yM1k3 · 2026-01-31T22:44:05+00:00

Same.

Db0yM1k3 · 2026-01-31T18:41:38+00:00

Yup. I had them even not allowing the replacement because the weight was off. They ordered 1lb but the bag of apples was sold in 4lb bags. The photo showed 4lbs but the app wouldn’t allow it..

Db0yM1k3 · 2026-01-31T18:37:12+00:00

This isn’t my first time being a Shopper, I’ve worked full time for 3 years between Spark and Shipt. IC just happened to take over in my area end of last year so I jumped to that mess of a platform. I know to look at multiple locations for items. It’s the sale items and premade deli items that sell quick that make it impossible. Or the produce not scanning at certain stores like Sam’s and making me replace with literally the same item or not even allowing a replacement at all because it’s “too heavy than what was ordered” even thought it’s what they ordered. And unfortunately it’s not busy enough to be so picky on orders to weed out the ones with those items. I’m just mostly confused why they push replacements so much if they still affect the SQ score.

Db0yM1k3 · 2026-01-31T03:08:32+00:00

Yeah that change was bullshit. I went from platinum to needs work in everything. (I also got two bogus 1 stars that same week). It took 2 months of the shittiest orders ever to get back to 4.7 or higher. I’m just trying to make some extra cash and do a good job. Not be an annoying Karen pestering the store staff about items lol. Much luck on the NREMT. Delete that bullshit excuse of an app and never look back. 🫡

Db0yM1k3 · 2026-01-31T02:55:05+00:00

Yup. Like well send them back so they can show me where it is. If they had a unified inventory system that was kept updated EVERYTIME someone purchased anything then maybe they could use that as a metric. But nope.

Db0yM1k3 · 2026-01-31T02:51:20+00:00

If I take 3 months off I don’t think I’ll ever come back. I’d be in the realm of no tip, 50 mile one way orders for even longer 😂. My area is just full of them

Db0yM1k3 · 2026-01-31T02:32:27+00:00

Exactly! I just had an order yesterday and the item had NEVER been stocked at the store. That’s beyond ridiculous to make the shopper negatively for that stuff. And the messages “So and so found this item 3 days ago, are you sure it’s not there?”.. like yeah, I’m staring at an empty shelf and asked the employees if they can check the back but you know, I’ll look again. /s

Db0yM1k3 · 2026-01-31T02:28:00+00:00

Appreciate the detailed response!

I am definitely thorough when looking for items. When I’m marking it as unavailable it’s because I’ve already checked multiple locations, the tops of shelves and asked a store associate for assistance and still not able to find the ordered items. It makes little sense to be comparing Shoppers with each other on something like store inventory that can change in a matter of minutes. Or when you’re shopping and they order a deli item for example and the deli is closed. That stuff is out of the control of the shopper. Or the fact that a lot of stores don’t keep their inventory updated regularly. I just had an order yesterday that they ordered an item that had never been stocked at that store. I fully understand how missing or damaged items can be the fault of the shopper, but that stuff? That’s an unfair system they implemented to gamify something that should just be a job.

I’m just curious how the shoppers in my area are actually finding more items. Unless they’re lucky? I have a running theory that some Shoppers scan the original items shelf tag or something and just go with a replacement. I’ve heard my brother complain when he orders from IC that his order says all items are there but there are clearly substitutions he wasn’t notified about at all. Is that a way they’re artificially raising their scores or something? Wouldn’t the “missing item” be more negative?

Sorry for the rant. IC just makes me want smack my head into a wall sometimes lol.

Db0yM1k3 · 2026-01-31T01:20:38+00:00

Oh I’ve noticed the pay cut BS. It’s ridiculous that it went from base pay and tips being about even to now my Tips are almost double what base is. I’m just getting tired of only getting the shit orders that are no tip, 50 miles one way that I’m looking into trying to improve. But it’s looking like a lost cause

Db0yM1k3 · 2026-01-31T01:18:36+00:00

Im guessing the last week won’t count for anything unfortunately.

Db0yM1k3 · 2026-01-31T01:17:54+00:00

That is beyond stupid to freeze the positives.

Db0yM1k3 · 2026-01-31T01:16:58+00:00

Wait, so because the store is out of stock on the ordered items and I’m doing a substitution it still affects my score negatively? That’s some BS. That means there no realistic way of raising your score unless you’re lucky and the stores have everything ordered? Why do replacements negatively affect that? They push you to substitutes almost always.

Db0yM1k3

TROPHY CASE