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Can I Order From Sam’s Club With Instacart?

Key Takeaways

  • Order Sam’s Club groceries via Instacart without a membership.
  • Enjoy doorstep delivery with additional fees, but miss member discounts.
  • Choose delivery time, contactless options, and communicate with shoppers.
  • Compare costs and benefits between Instacart and Sam’s Club delivery services.

Although Sam’s Club requires membership for a streamlined and budget-friendly shopping experience, it’s possible to order from the retailer via Instacart without one.

However, there are a few caveats you should know about, notably Instacart’s delivery fees and the exclusive member-only benefits that non-members won’t have access to.

Below, we’ll introduce you to Sam’s Club, outline the ordering process from the retailer via Instacart, and break down everything you need to know before you do your grocery shopping, including pricing and differences between Instacart and Sam’s Club delivery.

Can You Order From Sam’s Club Using Instacart?

Yes. In fact, ordering from Sam’s Club using Instacart might be better for some since you don’t need the Club membership, and you’ll still have the convenience of getting your groceries delivered right to your doorstep.

screenshot showing a Sam's Club Instacart order screen

However, the caveat is that you won’t receive the discounted prices that Sam’s Club members get to enjoy, and shopping online via Instacart is more costly than shopping in-store.

Add Instacart’s delivery fees and service charges on top of that, and you might end up paying way more than you initially anticipated for your week’s worth of produce.

If you have a Sam’s Club membership, though, you’ll pay lower prices and accrue 1% cash back when using the Club’s Mastercard.

How to Order From Sam’s Club Using Instacart

If you’re sold on ordering from Sam’s Club using Instacart, here’s what you’ll have to do:

Step 1: Access Sam’s Club via Instacart

First, you’ll have to download the Instacart app on your device. Make sure you have an Instacart account ready. If not, sign up for one.

If you’d prefer to access Sam’s Club through the web browser, you can go to their Instacart page.

Step 2: Do Your Shopping

Load your virtual cart. Your selection is generous, courtesy of the convenience Instacart offers. You can choose from home essentials: toiletries and cleaning supplies; groceries: produce and meats; and even member’s mark products: Sam’s Club premium goods.

While shopping, remember that there will be a slight markup because you’re offered the convenience of having your goods delivered right to your doorstep.

That’s why compare product prices across different retailers whenever possible. Also, don’t forget to pay attention to the delivery fees: they’ll be lower once you order $35 worth of goods.

It’s worth noting that your convenience extends to asking your Instacart shopper for replacement items if, by some miracle, Sam’s Club is out of your favorite snack. You can text them through the app.

Step 3: Choose a Delivery Window

Choose when you’d like your goods delivered to you. You can have them in as little as an hour; Instacart will offer same-day delivery as an option.

But if you plan in advance, you can order goods up to 5 days before. You also have the option to greet the driver, who’s your Instacart shopper, or opt for contactless delivery.

For reference, Instacart’s delivery hours can range from 9:00 a.m. to midnight, including weekends, depending on your location and the delivery radius.

Step 4: Pay for Your Order

Review your order to make sure all the items you want are included. Then enter your address and choose your payment method: credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, PayPal, or whichever works best for you. If you have any promotion codes or discounts, enter them.

Step 5: Receive Your Sam’s Club Order

Once that’s done, relax and wait for your delivery.

Instacart will keep you updated on your order’s status, and you’ll receive a text message when your shopper’s on the way. You can also talk to them via the app.

Don’t forget to outline any specific drop-off instructions: “Leave at the door and ring” if you opt for contactless delivery, for example.

Remember to check your order and ensure everything you purchased is there and in good condition. Otherwise, Instacart’s customer support will be there to assist you.

Note that if you’d like to change anything about your order, it’s ideal that you let your shopper know while they’re in-store and as early as possible.

Also, if you’re satisfied with their service, tipping them goes a long way toward showing your appreciation for their hard work. You can tip during checkout or in person.

How Much Does Ordering From Sam’s Club Using Instacart Cost?

While using Instacart, your focus should be on the delivery fees you’ll have to pay.

The rest comes down to the amount of groceries you ordered and the tip you’ll leave your driver, as well as the service fees, covering distance, order size, demand, and such.

Here’s a breakdown of the delivery fees.

  • Delivering orders of $35 or more starts at $3.99.
  • Instacart+ members enjoy free delivery for orders over $35.

The numbers presented in the Sam’s Club FAQs are outdated, so pay attention to the fact that Instacart’s fee structure is dynamic and largely influenced by many factors.

Specifically, the busy pricing policy means that if you order during a time when delivery demands are high, you’ll accrue an extra fee.

If you can purchase an Instacart+ subscription ($99/year or $9.99/month), you’ll also get to enjoy lower service fees and other benefits. The free trial period lasts for 2 weeks if you’d like to try it out.

How Does Using Instacart Compare to Using Sam’s Club Delivery?

Both services offer to deliver your goods right to your home, but they each have their ups and downs. We’ll break them down below.

Instacart Delivery

Pros of Instacart Delivery

  • No Membership Required: You don’t need a membership to order from Sam’s Club using Instacart.
  • Convenience: You can order from anywhere and have your goods delivered at your chosen time slot.
  • Multiple Delivery Options: Besides same-day delivery, you can schedule deliveries up to 5 days in advance.
  • Contactless Delivery: To avoid any potential health risks, you can ask your shopper to drop your goods at your doorstep and leave.

Cons of Instacart Delivery

  • Higher Prices: You won’t receive the discounted prices offered to Sam’s Club members. Aside from that, you’ll pay additional Instacart delivery fees and service charges on top of the product prices.
  • No Membership Benefits: You won’t get to enjoy the range of benefits Sam’s Club members get, such as cash rewards, free returns, member-only products, discounts, etc.

Sam’s Club Delivery

Pros of Sam’s Club Delivery

  • Lower Prices: Sam’s Club members enjoy discounted prices on bulk purchases. Even with the delivery fee factored in, their totals come out much lower than those of Instacart users.
  • Member Benefits: Members get to enjoy many benefits, from cash rewards and fuel savings to instant savings and bonus offers.
  • Streamlined Experience: This service is dedicated to Sam’s Club only, so shopping is a much more efficient and streamlined experience in terms of interface and access to inventory.
  • Wider Item Selection: You’ll have access to more products than what’s available on Instacart, notably Member Mark’s products—a brand made exclusively for you.

Cons of Sam’s Club Delivery

  • Membership Required: You need to be a Club ($50/year) or Plus ($110/year) member to enjoy shopping at Sam’s Club to the max.
  • Limited Availability: Sam’s Club has limited reach than Instacart, so depending on your location, you might face issues receiving your groceries. Ideally, you should be within a 15-mile radius of a participating store.

At the end of the day, Instacart is a suitable choice if you prioritize convenience and don’t wish to dish out extra money on a subscription.

But if you’re budgeting and are comfortable with Sam’s Club’s delivery limitations, you’ll end up saving more in the long term by opting for a membership and sticking to the chain’s delivery service.

Final Thoughts

Ordering groceries and having them delivered to your doorstep has never been easier, thanks to Instacart.

Even though Sam’s Club requires a membership, Instacart offers you a solution if you prioritize convenience over a yearly subscription.

Update History

Current Version

Update History

  • Post re-written from scratch
  • Old, outdated post replaced

March 14, 2024: Reviewed for accuracy

March 14, 2024: Written by Brett Helling

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