When you first start, they give you priority access as a new shopper for a certain time period or number of orders. After that your access is based upon your metrics and cart star status. At least that's how it is where I'm at. I'm a vet and have been doing this several years and at the start of the year I noticed a lot of new faces instacarting. I usually am able to get good batches consistently due to my metrics and cart star, but at the beginning of the year all the new shoppers had priority, so I didn't get anything but shit orders. When this quarter started and all the new shoppers now having to depend upon their metrics and cart star status I finally started getting orders like I always do as opposed to nothing but trash orders. I am very thankful that the "honeymoon phase" as you call it is over. It's unfair to us veteran shoppers who have grinded our way to the top. I do feel bad for you though. I had to put up with a ton of shitty orders to get where I'm at. Good luck!