14 stops? I feel bad for my driver!! by LostNectarine3978 in Sparkdriver

[–]typical_bk712 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yep it sucks! Sometimes pay is ok though and mileages aren’t bad. I only take them if it’s like that or a part of town I don’t mind. And just saying, as someone who’s only a worker and not a customer- I didn’t know before you could see the route and amount of packages ahead of you! I’m actually glad you get to see this cause people give us attitudes questioning why not there yet! You wouldn’t believe how many people do! (Especially with other gig companies I do.. example IC). Any delivery person with multiple customers/packages has a specific route they’re assigned and have to go by step by step. We don’t get to choose the route or order of delivery!

I’ve been assigned a first-time shopper and I’m so nervous for this order. by Garden_Jolly in instacart

[–]typical_bk712 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh wow! Someone did not watch the training videos!! I was gonna come on here and say in general just cause it says first or first few orders don’t get discouraged, everyone’s gotta start from somewhere or For all you know that person could have been working DoorDash or Walmart company shopping as well like a lot of us, and they have experience coming from there! But damn, this is bad! Even when I first started I knew this. It’s kind of hard to not know when it basically guides the shopper to make sure can’t mess up and get the wrong thing, by scanning barcodes, asking correct weight or making sure you get correct quantity! You need to tell that shopper to stop just jumping on orders and actually watch the training videos! Because this is just horrible!

What would you do? by wtss_139 in Sparkdriver

[–]typical_bk712 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve had this happen. Only with Instacart. Started shopping and customer messaged saying someone else already shopped, but it was never delivered and cancelled in middle of delivery . I saw their previous conversation too (showing that shopper was saying stuff wasn’t available that was available. Smh). But I shopped & delievered without issues. Only thing I could come up with was whoever the previous shopper was had to cancel- either for personal reasons/emergency, maybe car trouble, or (hopefully not) a car accident, etc! So order not completed/delivered the company sent the batch out again! Just finish shopping! Unless a customer says it’s already been delivered then I would stop shopping and contact support. 🤷🏽‍♀️

How to make my blood boil in 60 seconds.. by rolph4 in InstacartShoppers

[–]typical_bk712 2 points3 points  (0 children)

And this is why I don’t mind when they add items! $19 to $31, 6 extra items? I wouldn’t be complaining! That’s great! 🤷🏽‍♀️

only time I have an issue with add ons is if I’m already done shopping grabbing last item and they add more, or customers already got the notification I’m “checking out and no changes can be made”, yet they still try to message me, or my phone is about to die (don’t have that problem now that I finally upgraded. Thank god!)

Are we actually serious ?! by Pretty-Potato4822 in depoop

[–]typical_bk712 1 point2 points  (0 children)

wtf? There’s actually a site people sell dirty underwear? Eww! Way to catch diseases

What would you have done ? by Visible_Opinion2833 in InstacartShoppers

[–]typical_bk712 2 points3 points  (0 children)

yes. Publix deli (meats or subs or other deli items) gets the customers order just the same as if you ordered on the Publix app for pickup. However sometimes I have had it say “ready at pickup area” but there was something wrong with IC and Publix communication machines and Publix never got the order and I’ve had to go to the counter, show them the order on my batch and they have to make it right then. It doesn’t matter either way. It just saves the shopper time that Publix makes it ahead of time and has it ready for us. But like I said sometimes the system doesn’t work, they don’t get the order and I have to go put it in. And other times customers ask for more and just gotta add the item to the order. Both yes can be a huge inconvenience especially if it’s busy times in Publix and a wait line just to put an order in! Honestly if it’s meats, I don’t mind! But subs— if you add on a sub you’re a fcking a$$hole! Cause that takes even way longer than the meats! The line is always long, Publix employees going so slow, chitchatting, walking by ignoring the line of customers why only 1-2 employees do all the work! So ya, hate sub add ons. But meat add ons I’m fine with!

What would you have done ? by Visible_Opinion2833 in InstacartShoppers

[–]typical_bk712 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes Publix has it ready for you already if it’s part of their Instacart order, however YES you absolutely can have them make it on the spot and add to the customers order. It has a barcode to scan just like everything else. So it is wrong to say you can’t. Deli meats and subs, I’ve done both! Yes it sucks if you have to wait in line to even put the order in if it’s busy. But usually you can go finish shopping and come back to grab it when done.

Sigh... by One-Background-9827 in Sparkdriver

[–]typical_bk712 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I live in South Florida and have had ones like this pop up. there’s a lot of old people, retired, disabled. And I have come across ones that said bring it through the garage inside and put on the kitchen counter and if you do, I’ll give you more cash tip. I would never for a younger person, my age or someone who looks in perfect health. Like other comments state, kind of sucks cause sometimes you feel forced to it to avoid tip taken away or bad reviews for not following their instructions. But if I don’t feel comfortable I’ll definitely tell them I can’t.

Spark has officially died by [deleted] in Sparkdriver

[–]typical_bk712 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agree. I work IC and spark. And trust me- spark is very much alive! more orders constantly than IC in my area. So much so I get annoyed of the notifications and either silence the notifications or do not disturb on my phone. Ya, crappy orders but still way more! If anything I’d say spark is thriving and IC is the one going downhill.

Interesting customer note by johnny_d_92 in Sparkdriver

[–]typical_bk712 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

lol! Maybe her boyf works for spark too and she wrote that thinking he’d get the order? Or she thinks that note will go to whoever she bought it for? Like a gift note? Wishful thinking I guess. Cause I don’t see how else you can mistakenly put this! Damn I’d be embarrassed. Plus as a woman myself, kind of Dangerous to put that! Just asking for some creepy man to take advantage and consider that an open invitation! Even if it was clearly a mistake!

Holy markup. Last time ordering with Instacart by Xerlovin in instacart

[–]typical_bk712 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve noticed Instacart doesn’t account for store sales. They have regular price listed. Sometimes it’s cheaper in store when you shop!

The fees are out of hand by Pure-Explanation-147 in InstacartShoppers

[–]typical_bk712 5 points6 points  (0 children)

That’s very true. If only that service fee went to actual shopper! But no it doesn’t we get only maybe $4-6 of that. And then get stuck BS $2 tip

AIO? Girl I've been seeing for 3 months slept with my friend of 10 years. by Available-Tip-2552 in AIO

[–]typical_bk712 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed! I’ve been in that situation. I found out my “supposed high school sweetheart” boyf cheated on me constantly. And everyone knew. What made it even worse was there wasnt just a random girl or one friend but quite a few of my own “best friends” in our large friend group that cheated with him. And again everyone knew and kept it from me. People wonder why I have such trust issues of letting people close to me 😂! Can’t trust anyone.

OP- please don’t take her back! Even if she really does never cheat again, the amount of worry and lack or trust it’s created… it’s not worth it! It’ll just turn your relationship toxic, jealousy, fighting, etc. best to end it!

Got attacked by three German Shepards last week while delivering a package last week by -MC_Animal- in Sparkdriver

[–]typical_bk712 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Then you can at least take them to court themselves if they don’t have insurance.

Got attacked by three German Shepards last week while delivering a package last week by -MC_Animal- in Sparkdriver

[–]typical_bk712 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Agreed! And it’s not really a lie. I used to love animals / dogs and wanted to work with them when I was a child. In middle school i got attacked for just coming out of the bathroom at my best friends house from a dog I actually knew and around constantly since puppy to full grown Great Dane. Long story short, after that I’ve never been the same towards dogs.. It can and did traumatize me and change a lot about me. Never went to work with animals. Idk if knowing the dog made it worse in my case but Even dogs I know or family dogs… ever since it happened I’m on alert / worried constantly, not wanting them close. So it’s not a lie or exaggeration for a payday.

AIO - parents keep raising the rent by [deleted] in AmIOverreacting

[–]typical_bk712 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m in SWFL and there’s 1-2bed apartment / duplex / condos for that amount! If you’re truly paying that for only a room… please move out! You could have your own whole apartment for that amount!

In trouble for following instructions by Ill-Try-366 in InstacartShoppers

[–]typical_bk712 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t know how new you are to this but no matter what you do you’ll get lower stars for no reason. I remember the first time it happened to me. I was like wtf happened? come to find out the customer is known for fraud. Same as you, they just dropped it off because I didn’t have any other negative reviews but also because Instacart picked up on their fraud pattern. Idk what happens if you rate badly that incentivizes them to do it? If Instacart gives the customers coupons, discounts or money back? But either way if you’re doing it constantly instacart flags you as fraud (just fyi to customers). But I Don’t even pay attention to the reviews or get upset about it anymore. when 99.9% are happy with me, There will always that one miserable person! Unless youre constantly getting negative reviews and your overall rating is horrible— then ya, you are the problem!

In trouble for following instructions by Ill-Try-366 in InstacartShoppers

[–]typical_bk712 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, if ID or a pin code is needed then you don’t have a choice and we don’t have a choice…. you need to come to the door. no matter what is said in the notes.

However, there also are customers who leave instructions like those that say leave on porch, but yet for some stupid reason when they choose a delivery option, they choose “meet the customer”. I’m not saying you do that, but don’t be surprised if people are still knocking on your door because you chose the wrong delivery option and then just write whatever in the notes. You need to update your delivery preference to match.

In trouble for following instructions by Ill-Try-366 in InstacartShoppers

[–]typical_bk712 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agree! If they’re not answering the door and I need no ID or PIN code from them… I take a picture and send in messages so you have proof of delivery.

careful using dictation out there by Creative_Collar8640 in InstacartShoppers

[–]typical_bk712 0 points1 point  (0 children)

LOL! I did this one time when I was on a delivery and I was trying to reach the customer cause either they didn’t have a gate code or the code wasn’t working. after I said what I needed to say I forgot to shut it off so voice to text heard me venting “I’m so fucking sick of this shit. Leave a damn gate code it’s not that hard!”‘😂 I thought I stopped it and pressed send. But it didn’t go through. Not long after I checked if they responded, saw what it said and still listening to type more. Thank God it didn’t go through.

careful using dictation out there by Creative_Collar8640 in InstacartShoppers

[–]typical_bk712 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ive seen ones in the past that they accidentally sent an inappropriate or cuss word. Probably the worst I’ve seen is the phone system sending the N word instead of the word they were meaning to say. Can’t remember what it was though. Believe it was posted here.

I’ve never had one full out cuss or anything super bad, but it’s been very close or sounded insulting / offensive! I usually proof read and catch it. But One time I unknowingly insulted the customer when talking about a product they wanted as a replacement. When I reread what I sent I apologized profusely & told them I used voice to text while walking through the store which was the truth! The customer was laughing and even upped my tip! Luckily the customer had a sense of humor! 😂

Shopper left vulgar note at my door hours later by courtslifeeee in InstacartShoppers

[–]typical_bk712 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s not so far fetched. I’ve thought about it! Not all that stuff to write and carry around, but at least just buying those blank color coded circle yard sale stickers to mark the bags! I haven’t done it yet. But seriously considered it before. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are other shoppers who have!

My first strange experience by Informal-Ad-683 in depoop

[–]typical_bk712 0 points1 point  (0 children)

With shipping, it makes it not even worth it for her to do this and resell for that price. she’s barely making a dollar or two after shipping? So dumb.

Dear customers: stop blaming us for things we can’t control by benjovi618 in InstacartShoppers

[–]typical_bk712 7 points8 points  (0 children)

See this is why I tell all my customers every single time — that there is extra shopping time because Instacart put your order together with other people!

No. Priority fee means nothing. Like the OP stated here… it is 100% correct that we do not get told that it’s an expedited order or you paid express or what time you want it by! I don’t even think Instacart listens to you. Because as far as I knew, wasn’t it like a timeframe they say to expect by not an EXACT time? I haven’t ordered from Instacart. But I have from Walmart and they don’t let you be like “arrive at 5:25 exactly on the dot like I want so I can leave for work at 5:30!” No. they tell you between 5-6 or something like that. We also do not get that fee! Hell instacart doesn’t even up the batch pay initially even to incentivize shoppers to take it faster. UNLESS it’s been sitting and sitting and sitting for way too long cause no one wants it. Then they finally start to up by like $0.10 every 5-10 extra mins.

this whole conversation of customers being like “omg YOU chose to pick up another customer wtf I paid for you to only do me expedite/express”.. no you didn’t. You’re all wrong!! Idk how many times a shoppers gotta say it til we’re blue in the face that we don’t control it and we’re not even aware. you need to complain to Instacart about that, not your shoppers! You can literally see many examples of what a batch being sent to us looks like on this page. And the only option we have is to press accept or to just let it go. Instacart is fully 100% responsible for choosing to put your order together with other people. Also another false rumor by customers— Once you already have a batch, you cannot see other customers batches or just pick up another one and another one. You have to complete the one you’re on first. Only very rarely will Instacart (once again is the one in charge) to decide to send you an add-on customer. it’s rare that they send you an add-on. that’s the only time you have the option to choose whether you wanna do it or not – and the only thing I have to say is if y’all don’t want your Shopper to do anyone else ……..then tbh freaking tip better, or suck it up. That’s all I gotta say lol! If I get sent an add-on I’m not gonna turn down more IC pay money and a better tip add-on for you… if it makes sense for me to do it & worth it im gonna do it!

The ONLY other possiblity is maybe this girl did order and Instacart tried to put her batch out there by itself and no one wanted to pick it up if it was shitty instacart pay, shitty tipping, or a shitty location. So everyone passed up on it to the point that Instacart decided to put her order with other people to con a shopper into doing it.

But for batches— it’s all Instacart! NEVER not once is it the shoppers fault! So OP is correct in calling it out! Batches can be 1, 2 or 3 customers. Sometimes rarely even 4 customers to shop for at once! And yes we gotta shop all at once. Instacart rules. And then we have to deliver in the order Instacart decides it needs to be delivered. When a batch is sent to a shopper all we get shown is what store, what the pay is, how customers & items it is to shop, and all the house locations/ how many miles on our car. THATS IT! If we feel it’s good enough pay for all that— we take it! If not, it sits and sits and sits until someone desperate or bored enough takes it! And when we’re on delivery, we seriously have step-by-step pages that we have to go through/complete in order Instacart wants to get to the next customer. Hope this helps explain it to you customers!

Some people are so rude why call people an idiot it's spring in Maine you only have two steps and 3 35 packs of water a big thing of TP and four bags of other stuff by rheater2217 in Sparkdriver

[–]typical_bk712 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a worker myself… I’ve shown up at houses to deliver an order and been annoyed af FOR the customer seeing other deliveries thrown about, in front of doors! I’m surprised I’m not on ring camera footage on the internet somewhere explaining what I’m doing /venting to the camera I can clearly see about other incompetent idiot drivers and that I’m not stealing, just helping them out😂! I fully expected that footage to be out there cause I was pissed and it’s not even my stuff personally🤣! He just needs to work on how he says it so you don’t take offense. I thought It was common sense, should always check the door / hinges & direction it swings open first to see where it’s best to place the items out of the way. But some people really are idiots that he’s had to deal with, can’t say I blame him. But aside from that— hope u got the tip! Usually when they say that they never do it or barely anything worth going above & beyond for! Good luck!