Key Takeaways
- Personalized introductions in greeting messages build rapport and encourage open communication.
- Clearly mentioning the approach to replacements in the message prepares customers for potential changes.
- Inviting additional requests or questions in the message demonstrates exceptional customer service and attentiveness.
- Keeping messages professional and concise respects the customer’s time and sets a positive tone for the interaction.
What Is an Instacart Greeting Message?
An Instacart greeting message is a message that shoppers send from within the Instacart shopper app as a way to introduce themselves to customers and let them know they’ve started shopping.
It serves as an initial contact point, setting the stage for open communication and leave the customer with a good first impression, helping them understand that the shopper is proactively going above and beyond for them.
This message is crucial for several reasons:
- Improves Customer Service: Shoppers can build strong relationships with customers through personalized interaction, increasing the likelihood of receiving higher tips due to better service.
- Builds Rapport: Personalized greetings demonstrate the shopper’s dedication to a customized shopping experience, encouraging customers to communicate their preferences and questions, thus improving satisfaction.
- Encourages Customer Engagement: Effective greeting messages motivate customers to participate in the shopping process, like approving changes or giving specific directions, ensuring the order aligns with their expectations.
However, while there are many benefits to using an Instacart greeting message, there are also potential downsides.
These include the possibility of customers overusing the chat feature, slowing down the shopping process, or some customers finding the message unnecessary and becoming annoyed.
Despite these cons, the use of a greeting message aligns with providing top-notch customer service and is generally recommended for shoppers to send before every shop.
What Are the Parts of a Good Instacart Greeting Message?
You want your greeting message to be short, sweet, and to the point. But you also want it to convey a lot of important information.
There are three critical components to an Instacart greeting message: an introduction, information about replacements, and reassurance.
- Introduction: The first part of an Instacart greeting message is the introduction. This is where you’ll introduce yourself to the customer by name.
- Mention Replacements: After introducing yourself, let the customer know you’ll contact them if anything needs to be replaced. This ensures the customer will keep an eye on their phone if they need to approve replacements.
- Ask if There’s Anything Else You Can Do: Close your greeting message by asking if there’s anything else you can do. For example, you could offer to add or remove items or consult with the customer before choosing produce.
Some shoppers think that adding a touch of humor or personality can make the interaction more memorable and enjoyable for the customer, distinguishing the shopper from others.
But beware of this, as communication over text can sometimes get misinterpreted and not have the same effect as intended.
The customer just wants their groceries delivered, so communicate as clearly and concisely as possible, and leave the humor for outside of work.
When crafting your greeting message, professionalism is key. Maintaining a professional tone, even in custom messages, reassures customers about the quality of service they can expect.
Instacart Greeting Message Examples
An Instacart greeting message is a bit like a resume. You want to nail it on the first try without seeming pushy.
Take a look at these example messages for inspiration of how to craft your own:
1. Simple and Concise
Hello, this is [Your Name], your personal shopper for today. I’m starting on your order and will keep you updated on any changes or substitutions needed. Feel free to reach out with any questions or additional requests.
2. Order Started
Hi, [insert customer name]! I just arrived at the store. Feel free to message me if there’s anything you need to add to the order.
3. Inviting Questions & Comments
Hey there, I’m [Your Name] and I’ll be your full-service shopper today. Here to assist, so don’t hesitate to get in touch if there’s anything you need or have questions about. Thanks.
4. Customer Service Centered
Good day! My name is [Your Name] and I’m pleased to be your personal shopper. I’ll do my best to select the best quality products for you. If any items need replacement, I’ll be in touch.
5. Replacement-First Strategy
Hi, this is [Your Name], your Instacart shopper and delivery driver. I’m starting on your shopping list now. If there are any updates or if the store is out of an item, I’ll find the next best thing for you.
6. Post-Order Message
Your order is just outside your front door. Thank you and have a great day. (Please adjust the time of day as appropriate.)
What if the Customer Isn’t Responding?
If a customer isn’t responding, your options are somewhat limited. You may find yourself in a situation where customer approval is needed for an order, leading to delays.
In such cases, directly calling the customer might help expedite the process and prevent your orders from piling up.
For item replacements, it’s often more efficient to make the decision yourself, although it’s important to respect any preferences the customer has previously expressed, whether that’s selecting a replacement, opting for a refund, or allowing you to choose for them.
Given that many Instacart users are pressed for time, it’s advisable to minimize messaging.
Stick to essential communications like a greeting and inquiries about replacements to avoid overburdening the customer.
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
I almost always send an Instacart greeting message while shopping.
I think these messages are not only a great way to demonstrate that you’re proactively thinking about a customers needs, but also an easy way so clarify any issues that you noticed within the order, or things you might need help with.
Some shoppers prioritize efficiency and choose not to send greetings, focusing instead on the shopping process and only reaching out for necessary replacements or issues.
The downside to this method is that when you need something, you don’t already have a line of communication open.
If you were to have sent a greeting message, the customer has probably seen your message and has likely responded already, which in a way allows them to almost expect you to reach out again during the shopping process.
My efficiency-first friends also seem to have recurring issues with how to handle out-of-stock items. Again, the greeting message goes a long way in being proactive and addressing issues before they become issues.
Wrapping Up
As an Instacart shopper, you want to do everything you can to make the customer’s experience great.
An Instacart greeting message when you start shopping is a small but effective way to improve their experience. Just make sure to keep your messages short and sweet to avoid irritating the customer.
Are you an Instacart shopper who uses greeting messages? Let us know your experience in the comments below.
