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! 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. Image credits: abschnorf Image credits: tfoote7 Image credits: kmalmrose 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." Image credits: Left0fcenterr Image credits: Middle-Tangerine-945 Image credits: ChainsawLullaby "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." Image credits: EnvironmentalFill3 Image credits: ConsiderationNo5747 They live about 15 miles from town and messaged me “this is the last time I pre-tip”. Good luck ever getting your groceries delivered again! Image credits: UnboxTheWorld 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." 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. Image credits: MarmieMakes 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 Image credits: kingofzdom Image credits: New_Lobster_8770 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." 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. Image credits: RobbinK2 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. Image credits: chubbychick2 I can't make this up...I delivered hot dogs, burgers, POPSICLES, ice cream, donuts, cheesecake, and organic veggies to a homeless camp... Image credits: Distinct_King316 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." Image credits: Ethan9119 Image credits: godihateonions 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. Image credits: WillingRecognition75 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." Image credits: PotatoManX Image credits: upsidedown_squirrel Takes 5 dollars out of my wallet and puts it back Image credits: Silevo65 "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! i deliver in this area a lot. it’s a safe neighborhood. why are people so weird lol. Image credits: caffeinatedminn Image credits: mutantdustbunny Image credits: Loopy_27 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! Image credits: GoodgaldollOF Image credits: Shot_Dragonfruit_387 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!! Image credits: perez-hilton 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. ???????? Image credits: Happy-Kitchen3111 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 Image credits: therealslim80 I can’t tell if the shopper was seriously that clueless or if they think it’s a fun way to mess with customers? The garden center is on the opposite side of the store as the produce… I’m flabbergasted. Image credits: mrsmcgrasshopper Image credits: Mundane_Confection_6 Image credits: Alternative_Bit_6726 Image credits: Sew_mahina Strong wind knocked over the basketball net right on to their truck while I was waiting for the customer. ???? luckily I never got to see the reaction since the customer never showed up for their order. Image credits: Electric_feels_now I had this customer and they were freaking out on me even though i had not arrived yet. This was an alcohol delivery so I got worried about the delivery being face to face. Image credits: Important-Try1133 I did a small, 3 item Sam’s Club shop. Was 2 15lb briskets, some Hot sausage links and a pack of hot dog buns to be delivered to someone’s food truck. Delivery address was about 3.5-4 miles away from the store. Once I got there (a medical campus) I couldn’t find the food truck anywhere. I messaged them asking where exactly there food truck was. The then messaged me a totally different address about 45 minutes away. I told them that and how it’s not the address they listed, they apologized that it was the wrong address, and told me to cancel. I called up IC support and they helped me cancel it. This is about 30lbs and $150 worth of brisket I got for free Image credits: RangerAZ1989 Image credits: anonymousmetoo Image credits: pranaybabu83 Image credits: Prestigious-Dot-1717 Image credits: Jh4282nandez Image credits: JBNA Image credits: crack-head-magic So customer was writing me back while shopping and just completely stopped...I tried calling numerous times to ask about a replacement but no answer. When I arrived to the business location it was closed and nobody answered. Usually I'll leave the items at door but this was a business and it had a wine bottle...called Instacart and they told me to return the wine and keep the rest! $36 order turn into $385 worth of free groceries. Image credits: Coppa_Jets Image credits: freaknyou23 She probably thinks we get paid by the hour. She must also think the sun revolves around her... like there's other customers you know?? Plus that won't work... Image credits: KairoArturo Image credits: ShowApprehensive1793 Image credits: reddit.com What is the point when i have a clear picture of it being the exact item. Image credits: Fun_Whereas_3644 Double order. Order A went through fine. Order B was being declined on payment. Support accidentally cancels order A. Now I have this Lego which is worth 5x what I would have been paid. Image credits: Alive_League1680 Dude, I was so stoked! Huge Costco order – two orders in a batch one order has some stuff and nine cases of 24-pack zero-sugar sparkling water! Other order had like 13 items, Delivered right to the door, as requested. Then I lugged all that crap up two flights of stairs (no elevator!), said thanks, and finished the second delivery. But then I saw the pay – the tip was slashed from $170 to $10! All that happiness vanished, man, I was so hurt. I didn't screw anything up. Why would someone do that? I was practically gasping for air carrying all that stuff! Image credits: pranaybabu83 Image credits: _Antak_ Image credits: caffeinatedminn Image credits: Flimsy_Remove_4943 Image credits: Significant_Style653 Image credits: amazingactor111 Image credits: makobruh_ Highest paying order I’ve ever had! Image credits: xSquilliamFancySon Image credits: reddditredddi Image credits: GreenForestGuy 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. Image credits: Ashpear24 Shop most of a double order then get a message from this guy asking if he’s the only customer. When he found out I had one other order he threw a hissy fit and demanded to be the only customer to be shopped for. Yes, I was muttering obscenities under my breath as I put his items back.) What is wrong with people smfh (this was just part of the convo I happened to screenshot) Image credits: violetbash13 Image credits: VapingInTheU-Haul How do they get away with this nonsense? $23 batch pay?? The $44 tip is a joke. The amount of time and work that would require, then to drive it all 40 miles!! I don’t know who’s more delusional, Instacart or the customer?! The water alone roughly weighs 4,350 lbs. I’m dumbfounded. Image credits: IllustriousDealer389 Was trying to deliver an order this morning and the customer had 4 dogs. I couldn’t open my door for almost 5 minutes because the dogs wouldn’t leave the area and I finally open my door and one of the dogs jumps on me and bites my arm. Anyone who’s been in this situation before? What have you done? Image credits: bri_pumpkin99 Image credits: Middle-Tangerine-945 This lady was constantly sending me messages asking me to send her pictures of the items she wanted to see how they looked, I did not mind. She then started refunding a lot of items so I told her to cancel my order. It was a big order 60 items nothing heavy, 30 items were fruits and vegetables and the store is 1.9 miles away. The tip was $50 plus a paid for fast delivery. Am I wrong for wanting to cancel the order? Image credits: BeeEmbarrassed7841 Image credits: watch_u_smoke#1 MVP- Better Believe I Doubled The Tip
#2 Delivery For Ms. Kitty
#3 This Dog Wouldn’t Let Me Stage The Items LOL
#4 I Was Supervised On A Delivery This Afternoon
#5 Delivered To An Ice Cream Shop
#6 This Initial Message
#7 $1m House; $0 Tip
#8 So I Delievered To My Boss.. Surprised $450 Tip
#9 Just Lost A $15 Tip For Not Driving Past This Sign
#10 I Drew Up A "Thank You" Card For My Customers
#11 First Time This Has Happened In 2 Years Of Shopping
#12 I Delivered To A Very Pawlite Customer Today
#13 Customer Left Me An Envelope With Money
#14 Customer Made Me Sob!!
#15 I've Now Done It All... Homeless Camp Delivery
She met me at the railroad track intersection with a pull cart ????????????
Can't make this up.
#16 Nicest Thing I’ve Ever Received On Delivery
#17 Pay May Be Low But This Was A Great Tip
#18 I Bearly Made It To This Delivery
Notice the bear/deer crossing sign behind him.
#19 Most Heart Wrenching Instacart Order I’ve Had
#20 Well, This Was A First…
#21 "Tip Yourself 5 Dollars"
Thanks I appreciate you!! ????????
Side note didn't see a "funny" flair so used this one guess it works as well.
#22 Finally Had One Of “Those” Customers
#23 My Proof Of Delivery Photo
#24 Anyone Else Get Bizarre Orders Like This LOL
#25 Having A Stare Down With This Peanut Butter
#26 Jesus Christ Crystal
#27 Got Tipped $70 Bc Neighbors Called The Cops
#28 One Of The Strangest Orders I’ve Ever Shopped
#29 Customer Tipped Me $50 After I Had A Breakdown????
#30 You Say Tomato… I Say Wtf???
#31 Trapped In Customer’s Vestibule
#32 I May Actually Lose My Mind
#33 Reported This Guy, Felt So Uncomfortable
#34 I Was Delivering My Order When…
#35 This Customer Thought I Was Ringing Her Doorbell?
#36 Awesome Free Score After Cancellation
#37 Found This Posted On A Local Group
#38 I’m Happy That I Told Customer About Gas Leak
#39 *cue Panic Attack*
#40 Some People Are Awesome
#41 My Favorite Part When Delivering Orders ❤️
#42 Shopped An Order For My Best Friend Yesterday
#43 $385 Worth Of Free Groceries
#44 Jealous Of My GF ????
#45 What In The Actual F**k?
#46 Dang Girl What Did You Do
#47 This A$$hole Has Ordered 629 Times
#48 I Hate Lying Customers
#49 Support Cancelled The Wrong Order: Now I Have This
#50 Got Tip Baited
#51 Anyone Else Bring A Bud Along?
#52 Me When A Customer Said I Ruined Her Christmas
#53 My Biggest Order Ever. Just Pick Up At Best Buy
#54 I’m Sorry What?
#55 Target Tipped Me $10
#56 “Please Leave Inside Fence”
#57 I Damn Near Dropped My Phone When I Seen This!!
#58 I Hate These Type Of People
#59 Order Was Cancelled As I Was Checking Out
#60 Parking Was In Fact Not Free
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.
#61 This Guy…expects To Be The Only Customer
#62 Instacart Needs To Ban These Customers
#63 Why Does Instacart Think This Is Acceptable? ????????♀️
#64 It Finally Happened
#65 What Do I Do?
#66 My First Bad Experience
#67 Well It Finally Happened To Me ????