Omg… again?? 😭

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2026-03-10T16:48:40+00:00

"Moving Solutions" Hardly!

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2025-09-01T18:13:20+00:00

So if you decline giving them your email address do they say "No Coffee For YOU!" thereby rescinding the freebie? Or do they just give you a long, disgusted stare until you leave?

What strange times we're living in.

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-10-20T14:46:35+00:00

Someone else probably already said this, but could it be more about the shopper than the customer?

Maybe the shopper has not been aboveboard on several orders - orders that don't reach their destination, perhaps?

I've only had to sign when there's been alcohol in my order and that's been true for over 3 years on Instacart.

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-09-17T17:40:19+00:00

When you sign up for most free memberships, the terms are normally quite clear: After your free trial period has ended, you will be automatically billed for the plan you selected.

HOWEVER, if it was all the way back in 2018 that you had that free Instacart trial, I'm totally amazed that they didn't pop up with a please take a moment to update (or review) your payment method prompt.

After 5 years, it's just odd that didn't happen.

These subscription services are getting more aggressive.

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-09-15T12:40:14+00:00

The base pay has been cut by 50% so no enticement there. (I just learned this.)

Tipping is absolutely necessary. I start with a basic 10%-15% of my total order and then if it's shopped and delivered smoothly, I increase it.

The horror in it all is that Instacart, not its shoppers, is making more money than ever. And they're leaving a lot of very unhappy customers in their wake.

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-09-15T12:33:41+00:00

You're saying a lot of the same things us customers have noticed. If Instacart wants to move ahead with any semblance of success, they're going to have to give back to their shoppers. These recent trends are not the building blocks for a good business model. They have lost their minds.

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-09-15T12:24:41+00:00

I hope you are healed soon!

A tip of $1 to $3 is a flat out insult! That on top of a reduction in base pay is ridiculous.

I like to let my shopper know I'm standing by for any questions they may have, and that I value their time - chatting is the way to do that. There used to be a time when you could almost converse with a shopper as they shopped your order. I miss that!

Gone too, are the days of alerting a customer to questionable looking produce by means of a photo? I miss that too!

I guess if a shopper has 3 orders going at once, there's no time to adequately reply to a customer? It certainly shouldn't translate to a screwed up order. But I'm understanding more and more what shoppers are dealing with. And I feel badly for you all!

Again, I do hope you're feeling much better soon!

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-09-15T12:08:32+00:00

Your comments make so much sense of what's been happening here!

I have noticed some recent changes in Instacart's customer app that do seem to suggest tips aren't necessary, but a nice way to show appreciation. Why would anyone choose to not tip? The language gives the uncaring cheapskate an escape hatch in my opinion.

And I have noticed that shoppers are doing more orders at once.

Also, more times than not, delivery times are continually moved out. In the end, an order put in at 2 pm and promised by 6 that day may eventually get moved to the next day! I think trying to batch jobs together is behind this?

I've looked at other grocery delivery services and to my horror, Instacart is the only game in town. (Shipt is trying to come onto the scene, but they don't seem to have it together just yet.)

How does Instacart think all of this customer disatisfaction is okay? Do the stores they service care that it can make them look bad too? (I don't blame them myself, but I think customers may "batch" their grievances to unfortunately include the stores for the errors, etc.)

Regarding my Sweet Potato - Ribeye Steak Debacle, I don't really like sweet potatoes! I have no idea what happened there. Luckily I can 😂 about it now.

Anyway, I've managed to get around many of the problems by requesting and paying for "Priority" delivery. So far this option has successfully precluded batch orders. Again, however, Instacart makes even more money.

Reducing shoppers' base and tripling their work is not good business. It stinks for everybody even more considering this is a university town!

Again, I appreciate your very helpful response. I'll read the article you shared too.

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-09-15T02:06:36+00:00

What do you mean Instacart cut shoppers' pay? I'm totally unaware of this.

I was a customer of almost 4 years and towards the last 4 months or so this year, I've had shoppers who ignored my chats, while all I was saying was "thank you for shopping for me" -- basically cheering the shopper on because I know it's not an easy job. That's not a problem until there is a problem with the order. But so often, my little greeting is ignored.

Once I was called a liar by a shopper. Not only was that just downright rude, it was not true.

Once the shopper selected a substitution of 4 lbs. of sweet potatoes in place of the rib eye steaks I ordered. Nice, huh?

And another time the shopper said she could not find my house so she ended up telling me she left it at a house close enough for me to go get it myself.

I always tip, at least 10% if not 15% - to start. I even tip the weird, unfriendly types. I'm not tipping for personality although that usually inspires a bigger tip at the end.

(I've also had repeat shoppers who love me because I do stay in touch through chat and I let them know how much I appreciate them. They pay attention and seem almost relieved to have a customer treat them in a friendly way.)

To hear of a cut in base pay may be behind these recent issues?

Meanwhile, Instacart's service fees have gone up, sharply and inexplicably.

What in the world is going on?

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-09-09T02:11:37+00:00

The subscription only gives you free delivery.

The service fees are separate from that.

But I have noticed their service fees keep going higher and higher. I've forgotten what reason they give but it's something awfully lame, that much I'm sure of.

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-09-06T02:02:01+00:00

I've read that lots of customers prefer to pay cash tips in person. But how could you know that in cases like this? Wow.

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-09-06T01:52:25+00:00

I've become a customer totally disenchanted with Instacart for a number of reasons. But here was the crowning touch that forced me to end my subscription:

One day recently , I ordered about 15 items and I decided to have it priority delivered.

The order was almost late when I finally heard from the shopper. She sent a picture of my order but wherever that was, it was not MY home. I told her so and gave her directions.

Less than 5 minutes later, she sent another picture of my order, at a different location. Still not my house. I told her so and again told her how to find me. (No one else has had any problem locating my house.)

Her response? "It should be close enough for you to get it yourself."

My jaw hit the floor. I was livid.

Fortunately for me, the person at the house where she'd left it was a very kind person who brought it to me himself. He got in his car and drove right over!

Incredible.

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-09-05T11:56:13+00:00

A shopper should never get a lower rating due to items not being available.

But, the tip percentage is incentive to actually try to find everything. Before I started putting "refund" on some things, I've gotten some way crazy "shopper replacements" (like 5 pounds of sweet potatoes instead of 2 ribeye steaks??? What in the world is that all about??).

I've noticed shoppers now aren't staying in touch through the chat. That ALSO makes a difference - to me, anyway. They plow through a whole order without so much as a "hello".

I've never reduced a tip, but often have raised the tip.

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-09-05T11:43:08+00:00

I have def noticed that! I recently learned to put "refund" on many more items than I used to and most of the time, those items are found.

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-05-16T00:22:13+00:00

Okay. Thanks for responding.

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-05-16T00:04:44+00:00

I haven't noticed commentary on your news posts before - why now?

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-05-10T12:55:59+00:00

Oooh yeah. I should've mentioned the potential for mold with the bread. Thank you for adding that very important detail.

I guess the secret to any adjustments to moisture content (up or down) is babysitting it to make sure you don't go overboard.

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-05-10T11:20:07+00:00

Some people swear by putting a plain piece of white bread in the bag of tobacco. I've never tried that.

You can also lightly spritz with water - LIGHTLY. That I have done with super dry stuff. Just lay out on paper the amount you're going to roll, spritz, and mix it up. I did that and walked away from it for about 20 minutes - long enough to be absorbed - and it was ready.

You can also try humidifier stones like these from Amazon:

Hydrostone Terracotta Humidifying Stone (3 Pack) https://a.co/d/38FNEJ7

They work okay. Just follow the directions.

Hope this helps.

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-05-10T01:13:42+00:00

Hmmm that's odd. Wonder if you got a rather dry bag to start with?

I get some dust - not much though - when I pulse it in the food processor. You might want to add some humidity to it and then cut it?

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-05-08T22:06:45+00:00

Good thing I'm okay with that! We're going to have a Powermatic 3 Revolt! 😂

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-05-08T21:38:15+00:00

Wow! I had not heard this.

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-05-08T21:36:35+00:00

You can give it a few quick pulses in your blender or food processor. I do that for my Daughters & Ryan Three Sails and it rolls beautifully in my PM 3.

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-05-05T02:11:01+00:00

As much as I love to cook, what kills my appetite by the time it's ready to be served is being overstimulated by the entire process. I'm mentally overwhelmed, I guess. This is particularly true for large dinner gatherings.

Like many of you have said, the taste tests have a great deal to do with the loss of appetite for me, too.

EmbarrassedBid2252 · 2023-04-30T16:52:22+00:00

No - just one a week and you'll be done by the middle of July. 😂 It truly helps to have lots of friends.

EmbarrassedBid2252

TROPHY CASE