Key Takeaways
- Instacart tips can be changed up to 24 hours after delivery to reflect service satisfaction.
- Tips are optional and can be adjusted post-delivery via the app or website under “Rate and Tip.”
- Instacart suggests a minimum tip of 5%, with 100% of tips going directly to the driver.
- Tip adjustments help prevent “tip baiting,” ensuring fair compensation for drivers’ service.
How To Change Tip on Instacart Before Delivery
You cannot change your tip directly on Instacart before your groceries are delivered after placing your order. However, there are alternative methods to adjust your tip if you are not satisfied with the initial amount.
First, you can communicate with your shopper.
You can message your Instacart shopper to inform them that you plan to increase their tip after the delivery is completed.
This approach allows you to express your intention to adjust the tip based on service satisfaction without modifying the tip amount before delivery.
Alternatively, you can cancel and reorder.
If you wish to adjust your tip downwards or realize you’ve tipped more than intended, the only way to change the tip amount before delivery is to cancel your order and place it again with the desired tip amount.
Here’s how you can cancel your order:
- Navigate to “Your Orders” on the Instacart app or website.
- Select the order you wish to cancel.
- If you’re using the website, click on “View Order Detail.”
- Proceed to “Manage Order” and then select “Cancel Order.”
- After canceling, you can reorder your groceries with the corrected tip amount.
How To Change Tip on Instacart After Delivery
you can change a tip on Instacart after your groceries have been delivered. Here’s a brief tutorial on how to do so:
- Access Your Orders: Navigate to “Your Orders” in the Instacart app or on their website to find your recent delivery.
- Select Your Order: Click on your most recent order to view its details. If you’re using the app, proceed to “View Order Detail.”
- Rate and Tip: Choose the “Rate Order” or “Rate and Tip” option provided. This step comes after you have the opportunity to rate your order.
- Adjust Your Tip: Following the rating of your order, you’ll be presented with options to either increase or decrease your tip based on your satisfaction with the service provided.
Time Limit for Tip Changes
You have a 24-hour window from the time your order is delivered to adjust your tip.
This policy aims to prevent “tip baiting,” where customers initially offer high tips to secure faster service and then reduce or remove the tip after delivery.
This time frame ensures drivers are fairly compensated while also giving customers the flexibility to adjust tips based on service satisfaction.
To ensure fairness and to reflect your appreciation or feedback accurately, it’s recommended to adjust your tip as soon as possible within this 24-hour period.
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
The ability to adjust tips after the delivery can serve as a direct feedback mechanism for shoppers, rewarding those who go above and beyond, yet offering constructive criticism for those who don’t.
Most of the time, customers want to adjust their tip because they aren’t satisfied with an order. However, it’s also worth noting that tips can be adjusted in upward as well.
For example, if a shopper goes above and beyond by accommodating last-minute changes or handles complex orders, increasing your tip can go a long way in showing appreciation.
However, be careful to not accidentally fall into the controversial practice of tip baiting.
When customers promise high tips to secure fast customer service, and then intentionally reduce the tip after the delivery, this is tip baiting.
It’s unfair, unethical, and should be avoided at all costs.
My Suggestion: Tips greatly impact a shopper’s willingness to take your order.
Since there is a direct link between tipping and the quality of service that customers receive, I suggest using this to your advantage. But, while doing so, remain ethical.
Also, increase your tip during busy periods like holidays or bad weather as a way to acknowledge the extra effort and inconvenience shoppers will endure during these times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Tip Automatically Included in Instacart?
Tips are not automatically included in Instacart orders; they are optional and separate from service fees. The app suggests a tip amount at checkout, but customers can adjust or opt-out of tipping as they see fit.
How Much Should You Tip an Instacart Shopper?
Instacart recommends tipping at least 5%. For large orders or deliveries in unfavorable conditions, a 20% tip or higher is appreciated.
If you’re particularly pleased with the service, consider tipping generously. However, for poor service, you may choose to tip less or not at all.
How Does Instacart Split Tips?
Instacart allocates 100% of your tip to the driver. For orders involving multiple drivers, the tip is divided equally among them.
To compensate for a potentially unfair split, especially for drivers with more effort-intensive tasks, consider offering a larger tip.
For specific drivers, you can opt to tip in cash upon delivery.
Wrapping Up
Instacart is a convenient way to get the groceries you need without leaving your home.
Through the use of a handy app or website, you can have an Instacart shopper pick up your specific groceries and drop them off at your front door.
Because Instacart isn’t a high-paying job, even for full-service shoppers, it’s common courtesy to tip your drivers–especially if they give you high-quality service or they’re driving in poor weather conditions.
While there’s an option to tip during the checkout process, you can also modify your customer tip after your grocery delivery to reflect your experience.
Unfortunately, the cost of tips can quickly add up.
But if you use Instacart Express, you’ll pay a lower service fee and delivery fee, which can help you save money in the long run.
So next time you order groceries through Instacart, remember to tip Instacart drivers–it can go a long way!
