Instacart Shoppers Raise Concerns about Deceptive Pricing Policy Amidst Customer Demand for Accountability
If you’ve ever used the Instacart app to order groceries, you might have been surprised by the final bill. It turns out that some grocery stores featured on the app charge higher prices than what you would find in-store. While Instacart does mention this in a disclaimer, a former Instacart shopper has exposed a more complex and deceptive pricing policy.
In a recent TikTok video, @nicccyb shared her experience working as an Instacart shopper. She revealed that the way sale prices are displayed on the app can be misleading. Additionally, she highlighted that shoppers were explicitly instructed not to include the receipt in the grocery bag.
I worked as an Instacart shopper for two-and-a-half years, and they would threaten to deactivate your account if you ever put the receipt in the bag… They overcharge customers and it can be very deceptive. Sometimes the app shows a sale price of $8.99 or $8 for an item that appears to be priced at $10. However, in reality, the store is actually charging $5. So, there isn’t actually a sale happening. It’s very deceiving, she explained.
@nicccyb also shed light on priority deliveries, claiming that this information is not visible to Instacart shoppers. Her TikTok video sparked a significant response, with over 1,500 comments pouring in from both Instacart shoppers and customers who have been affected by the pricing issue.
A social media user from Maryland shared, In Maryland, Instacart inflates prices by $1.50 to $4 per item. I started making time to shop for groceries myself and it saves me around $150.
Another individual recounted an incident where a shopper accidentally left the receipt in their bags, leading to a shocking realization that they were charged $40 more than the actual cost. Despite reaching out to Instacart through email, they never received a response.
Moreover, some users emphasized that despite the extra charges, Instacart shoppers themselves do not receive any of that money. Not to mention that NONE of the extra money goes to the shoppers! And now they’ve even reduced our pay from $7 per batch to $4, one person claimed.
The revelations shared by @nicccyb and echoed by others have raised concerns about Instacart’s pricing policy and the lack of transparency surrounding it. Customers are now demanding accountability from the popular grocery delivery platform, calling for clearer pricing information and for the extra charges to be properly addressed.
In response to the growing criticism, Instacart has not yet provided an official statement. However, as more customers raise their voices, it remains to be seen how Instacart will address the concerns surrounding its pricing policy and ensure transparency moving forward.
As consumers increasingly rely on grocery delivery services like Instacart, it becomes crucial for platforms to maintain trust and deliver a seamless, fair shopping experience. The demand for better pricing transparency and accountability will likely pressure Instacart and other similar services to reevaluate and revise their policies in order to better serve their customers.
