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“I Can’t Make This Up”: 30 Funny, Weird And Annoying Experiences From Instacart Shoppers’ Lives (New Pics)
Interview With Expert
Grocery shopping used to be a fun and exciting experience. I would take my time perusing all of the new products and contemplate what I wanted to make for dinner each night of the week. Nowadays, however, it’s often a stressful game of searching for discounts and deals and trying to spend as little as possible without starving until I have to return to the store.
To make this process slightly less painful, many people opt to have their groceries delivered. But these services can be hit or miss for customers and couriers. We took a trip to the Instacart Shoppers subreddit and gathered photos and screenshots of their most amusing experiences down below. Keep reading to also find a conversation with Sergio Avedian, Senior Contributor at The Rideshare Guy, and be sure to upvote the pics that remind you to always tip couriers generously!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
MVP- Better Believe I Doubled The Tip
I am stuck at home with a toddler and so happy to pay for someone to do my shopping. Look at the bags I was greeted with when I got home! I was giddy.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 3 days ago
I would save these bags, folded in a drawer, for when I was having a bad/sad/frustrating day. Then I would take them out and look at them and smile, knowing that a random stranger cared enough to do something like this for me :)
RELATED:
#2
Customer Made Me Sob!!
I've never had a customer put this much effort into giving me a review and I've been doing this for over 3 years. I honestly didn't do anything special, it's how I treat all my other customers. It's really refreshing to feel noticed and appreciated. She made not just my day but my whole life lol. I'll be forever grateful.
#3
Delivery For Ms. Kitty
To find out more about what it's like to work as an Instacart shopper, we got in touch with Sergio Avedian, Senior Contributor at The Rideshare Guy. He was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and discuss some of the pros and cons of this profession.
"Working as an Instacart shopper offers flexibility and independence, making it an attractive option for those looking to earn extra income on their own schedule," Sergio shared. "Shoppers can choose when and where they work, which is a major perk, especially for those balancing other jobs or personal commitments. The potential to earn tips can also increase overall pay, and for those who enjoy grocery shopping, the job can feel relatively easy."
#4
Nicest Thing I’ve Ever Received On Delivery
#5
This Initial Message
#6
Customer Left Me An Envelope With Money
Customer messaged me in the app saying there’s an envelope for me. I picked it up and saw this note with a $5 bill inside. Thought it was super sweet and wanted to share.
"However, there are some challenges," Sergio continued. "Earnings can be inconsistent, as they depend on order volume, customer tips, and batch availability. The job also requires using your own vehicle, which leads to gas expenses and wear and tear."
"Some orders can be physically demanding, involving heavy lifting or multiple-store trips. Additionally, navigating crowded stores, long checkout lines, and item substitutions can be frustrating," the expert added. "Despite these downsides, many shoppers find Instacart to be a convenient way to earn money on their own terms."
#7
I Was Supervised On A Delivery This Afternoon
#8
I Delivered To A Very Pawlite Customer Today
#9
Got Tipped $70 Bc Neighbors Called The Cops
To make a long story short, Karen neighbor called the cops on me because I was “parked illegally” on the street… I was on the side of the road in a residential neighborhood with my hazards on. Guy I was delivering to came out and talked to the cops with me. When I left I saw the notif that he increased my tip from $8 to $68. Thanks!!
So what kind of person would make a great Instacart shopper? "Someone who is detail-oriented, efficient, and customer-focused," Sergio says. "Strong time management skills are essential, as shoppers must navigate stores quickly while ensuring accuracy with orders."
"Being physically fit helps, as the job often requires lifting heavy grocery bags and making multiple trips to and from a vehicle. Patience and problem-solving skills are also valuable, especially when dealing with out-of-stock items or special customer requests," he continued. "Friendly and professional communication can lead to better tips and higher customer ratings."
#10
First Time This Has Happened In 2 Years Of Shopping
I've seen on here so many times where the customer is like "yeah get yourself a drink too" but never had anything even close to that happen until now
#11
My Proof Of Delivery Photo
#12
Pay May Be Low But This Was A Great Tip
On the other hand, Sergio says this job may not be ideal for those who dislike grocery shopping, struggle with time management, or have difficulty lifting heavy items. "People who rely on a steady paycheck might also find the income too unpredictable," he noted. "Additionally, those without reliable transportation may face challenges, as the job requires frequent driving. Overall, Instacart shopping is best suited for self-motivated individuals who enjoy flexible, on-the-go work and interacting with customers."
#13
Customer Tipped Me $50 After I Had A Breakdown🥲
During this batch: i ripped my pants when i started shopping, i left my windows down in the rain and hail and somehow i guess i was so stressed i left my car running while i was shopping ??? like have never done that idk what happened. my windows were so foggy and it was raining so hard i couldn’t see very well, the car in front of me didn’t have brake lights and i nearly rear ended them and all the groceries went flying. customer b’s eggs broke and both orders were mixed up and all over the car. i pulled over in the rain and sorted through the groceries for awhile and hoped i got everything right but at that point i couldn’t even see past my tears. i tried to hold it together when i got to the door but was very obviously not ok. i told her about the near accident and how the groceries went flying and apologized but she was just worried about if i was ok. genuinely the kindest customer i’ve ever had. after the second delivery i saw she tipped me $50🥹 she had also messaged me to tell me all her groceries were there and everything was perfect. i told her how much i appreciated it but idk if i could express it well enough through messages. i hope she knows she really made a difference
Zephyr343 3 days ago
I don't want to be one of those people...but 2 hours to decrease tip? Since I don't use it, do they see the tip amount before they deliver? Couldn't they have the tip amount be high then reduce it to zero after it is delivered? I am not familiar with it so I am just asking
#14
Some People Are Awesome
#15
My Favorite Part When Delivering Orders ❤️
We were also curious about what customers should know before ordering their groceries to be delivered.
"Before placing an order on Instacart, customers should know that their experience depends on the shopper’s ability to find items, store availability, and communication," Sergio told Bored Panda. "It’s important to be responsive to messages in case substitutions are needed, as some items may be out of stock. Adding specific instructions, such as preferred replacements or 'no substitutions,' can help ensure a smoother experience."
#16
This Dog Wouldn’t Let Me Stage The Items LOL
#17
One Of The Strangest Orders I’ve Ever Shopped
So I get an order for 18 items for $28 and I take it and then realize it’s like 113 units or something like that. I contemplated canceling but decided to just shop it as quickly as possible. All fruit mind you. $308 worth of fruit to be exact 😆. Turns out the guy ordering sends an order like this to his sister on her birthday every year as a prank. I shopped and checked out fairly quick and get to the house. I start handing bags to the lady and she goes “honey the fruit is here again”. I’m glad I followed through with the order it was definitely worth the laughs and ended up being $48 after tip increase for a bunch of fruit. Hopefully they have a good blender or donate some of this because there’s no way anyone is eating this much fruit. 🍎🍌
#18
I’m Happy That I Told Customer About Gas Leak
Jessica SpeLangm 2 days ago
Did you get an additional tip for noticing and notifying about the gas leak?
Customers should also keep in mind that tipping is a big part of a shopper’s earnings, Sergio says. "So offering a fair tip for their time and effort is appreciated. Delivery times can vary based on order size, store traffic, and shopper availability, so planning ahead is key. Customers should also double-check their address and order details before confirming to avoid delays or mix-ups."
#19
I've Now Done It All... Homeless Camp Delivery
I can't make this up...I delivered hot dogs, burgers, POPSICLES, ice cream, donuts, cheesecake, and organic veggies to a homeless camp...
She met me at the railroad track intersection with a pull cart 🤯🤯🤯
Can't make this up.
ॐBoyGanesh 3 days ago
We’ve a very well hidden collective of 20+ women who live on a rather inaccessible shore of state property here on our island. Most locals don’t even know about them and you’d have to do some serious off-trail bushwhacking to come across them. Unless you know of a secret entrance thru a 100 meter thicket. They’ve outdoor solar showers, a kitchen tent, a communal geodesic dome tent & their personal living spaces. Since many areas of our district don’t have water mains (or any infrastructure; mostly off-grid) there are county spigots where folks fill up their 50/100/200 gallon water jugs or tanks. I’ve helped this “intentional community” with hauling water to them, as I’ve a few friends who live there. Many have jobs/careers, but most are artists, musicians, massage therapists & the like. They’ve communal cars parked at a public overlook lot about 1/4 mile down the road. They’re not homeless. Nor do they generally consider themselves unhoused. They’ve chosen this & it’s awesome.
#20
I Drew Up A "Thank You" Card For My Customers
I'm also an artist, so I thought of printing up some thank you cards. They've helped with getting consistent ratings, so I find it worth the occasional sheets of cardstock.
#21
I Bearly Made It To This Delivery
Delivered to a gated community here in our little mountain town and was met with this friendly fellow. I think could smell all the yummy groceries in my car, literally walked right towards my car before finally crossing the road.
Notice the bear/deer crossing sign behind him.
Earthquake903 3 days ago
Why don't they move the bear/deer crossing sign to a safer place for these poor animals to cross?! Smh
"While Instacart aims to provide convenience, shoppers are human and do their best to fulfill orders accurately," Sergio added. "Being patient and understanding can make the experience better for both the customer and the shopper."
And if you'd like to learn even more about what it's like to delivery groceries for Instacart, or other similar services, be sure to visit The Rideshare Guy!
#22
Most Heart Wrenching Instacart Order I’ve Had
Gavin Johnson 2 days ago
I’d helped to run a wedding for friends of mine who lived quite a distance away, I arrived home after a couple of days with them for the celebration (and then some spa related recovery 😀) and on my doorstep was a delivery that had a DVD of a film we’d talked about over the weekend, a few beers (to drink whilst watching the film), a huge bag of cashews (a favourite of mine) and a card, written by the delivery driver for my friends saying thank you 😀 and the driver had added a note on the back about the film 😂
#23
Trapped In Customer’s Vestibule
#24
Jesus Christ Crystal
We hope you're enjoying your scroll through these photos, pandas! Keep upvoting the ones that you find most surprising, and let us know in the comments below if you've ever utilized a grocery delivery service like Instacart. Then, if you'd like to check out another Bored Panda list featuring this subreddit, look no further than right here!
#25
Parking Was In Fact Not Free
I get this order, he says it's free parking. His apartment is in a business type plaza with no street parking. I get there and my gut tells me it isn't free. So I ask for assistant at the kiosk (the one that prints your parking ticket to get into the garage) and they tell me it's only free if a business validates my ticket. I ask if tenants can validate and she says no.
How many people did this guy get to pay for their own parking? Once you drive in, you can't leave without paying. Why why why do people do this?
In case you're wondering what happened: I message him and he insists it's free, tries to convince me to go up. Says he always has stuff delivered. I explain I'll try to find parking and get his stuff to him. He becomes hostile about how I don't listen. So I contact support...his order was canceled.
Regina Holt 2 days ago
What was the purpose of the customer being an a$$, lying about the parking being free?
#26
So I Delievered To My Boss.. Surprised $450 Tip
#27
Having A Stare Down With This Peanut Butter
#28
Delivered To An Ice Cream Shop
#29
Finally Had One Of “Those” Customers
i deliver in this area a lot. it’s a safe neighborhood. why are people so weird lol.
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