Our Instacart definitive guide and shopping analysis, finds grocery delivery service fees, taxes, and tips add 20% to the food costs that may have a markup over in-store. Importantly, Costco offers the greatest value for consumers, followed by Aldi, Wegmans, and BJ’s.
Remember, even buying through Costco from Instacart, you will still likely pay an average online markup of 15%, or more, versus in-store. Therefore, while it offers a nice aspect of optimization for a busy New Yorker, it is not the most frugal and economical source of groceries.
Grocery Delivery Near Me, Now Damn It!
We live in an instant gratification economy. While this might not necessarily be new, technological advancements are increasing the options for consumers.
People increasingly want to use their smartphones via an app, or computer, to place orders online. For instance, they expect short delivery times, in a matter of days, if not the same day, more recently. Web-based services like Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Hulu, among others, offer OnDemand movies and TV shows.
Instant gratification provides significant value for consumers when done right, according to an article written in Forbes, What The Instant Gratification Economy Taught Me About Happiness, by Ashik Ahmed. Within the article, he notes the following;
“In a world where consumers don’t just desire instant gratification, but expect it, the window for a startup to impress customers is smaller than ever.”
Like many New Yorkers and others, for instance, you want to optimize your limited time. Oftentimes, this means paying a premium to have someone else provide a service that used to be part of daily routines.
For example, this includes the premium an Uber driver charges for door-to-door car service to some remote part of Brooklyn for a loft party. A shoeshine at Grand Central. Dinner prepared by a restaurant and delivered from Grubhub. And our topic of today’s discussion, grocery delivery.
Grocery delivery around New York City (NYC) is an increasingly competitive market spanning national services to those more regional. Moreover, there are options galore for consumers, and they appear to be increasing with time. For example, there are many grocery delivery services for NYC, including Amazon Fresh, DoorDash, Fresh Direct, Grubhub, Instacart, Peapod, Postmates, Shipt, TaskRabbit, Uber Eats, Whole Foods delivery via PrimeNow and numerous others!
We are going to focus on one service now, Instacart. Moreover, what are the lowest cost grocery delivery stores from Instacart in NYC? The goal is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the lowest cost grocery stores through Instacart as well as a definitive guide.
Why?
Because we need our guac, now! We are a needy species.
How Does Instacart Work?
First, Instacart differs from some other grocery delivery services because it doesn’t have its own stores or warehouses. Rather, it creates relationships with your local grocery stores to offer a delivery service. Second, it merely acts as an intermediary for grocery shopping with no inventory to keep on hand.
In addition, for those more community conscious, it drives local grocery delivery business to stores in your neighborhood. As a user, you gain value from the grocery delivery service, optimizing your life a bit, at a cost of course, while also continuing to support local stores and employment.
Conversely, services like Amazon Fresh, Fresh Direct, Peapod, and others use their own networks of warehouses as the source for your grocery delivery. Instacart, however, utilizes its network of shoppers to visit your local store you have chosen to order from, gather items ordered, then deliver them to your doorstep.
Time needed: 20 minutes.
Step-by-Step Guide for Getting Started with Instacart
Visit www.instacart.com, or download the app (Apple app here or Android here) for your smartphone or tablet.
Enter your email address and choose a password.
Input your zip code; this will let you know what local stores you can shop.
Select a store to start shopping.
Users can search for or browse items and explore different departments.
Select items you want, choose quantities, then add to your cart.
You can indicate replacement alternatives for items on low, or out of stock.
Special instructions may be added to orders for your shopper.
Go to checkout once you have finished shopping.
Choose your delivery window.
There’s also an option for leaving the delivery outside your door (unattended delivery).
Finally, enter your payment details and confirm your order.
As an example, the video below provided on YouTube by Instacart provides a nice short overview of the process to get you started.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PksAfCz6akw&feature=youtu.be
Where is Instacart Available?
Instacart provides service within various zip codes across cities located within all 50 states plus the District of Columbia within the US, in addition to some locations in Canada.
The company provides broad service across New York State (NYS) and within NYC. That is to say, it includes all five boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island.
Take a look at Instacart’s grocery delivery service locations on its website. You can enter your zip code or browse states and cities across the US, where they currently provide service.
What happens if Instacart doesn’t deliver to me? You can still visit the same page. Upon entering your zip code, you may choose to be notified when Instacart expands service to your location.
What Stores Are Available on Instacart?
Available stores from Instacart will depend on your location, plus those that the company has a relationship with. Moreover, you can have a look at Instacart’s locations on its website. Select your state, then city, or simply input your zip code. For instance, check for details on NYS.
Within NYC, there are several familiar faces when it comes to grocery store options. Likewise, these options will vary somewhat depending on your zip code, but many deliver to all five boroughs.
Notable grocery stores include Aldi, BJ’s, Costco, CVS Pharmacy, Fairway, The Food Emporium, Key Food, ShopRite, Wegmans, Zabar’s. Additionally, local wine shops and liquor stores are often available.
Above all, for the frugal shoppers, it is notable that Instacart provides service to Costco and BJ’s. Interestingly, you do not need to have a membership when using Instacart. If you do have one, enter membership information if possible to receive credit or other discounts. Sadly, for many, many New Yorkers, Instacart does not provide service for Trader Joe’s.
How Long Does Your Instacart Delivery Take?
Many first-time Instacart users are curious about how long their grocery delivery order will take. However, this depends on a number of factors, including the availability of shoppers, as well as the demand for Instacart’s service.
Excluding the pandemic of 2020, prior to that, Instacart could often deliver your grocery order the same day if you ordered early enough. Meanwhile, most recently, during the epidemic, grocery delivery services, including Instacart, have been overwhelmed with demand.
As a result, orders have taken longer to fulfill. Nevertheless, over the past week, they seem to be consistently offering next day delivery in NYC. Also, you can set orders for delivery up to five days ahead.
Picture of woman delivering a package.
For those who’ve taken to Twitter and other social media, to complain about grocery delivery times during the virus outbreak, shame on you. Certainly this is a high-class, first world problem. Above all, these complaints are disrespectful to all the workers on the front lines servicing you!
Instacart Delivery Fee, What Does it Cost?
Fees for using Instacart vary and are rather broad. The short answer as to what is Instacart’s fees, is, well, that depends.
Let’s cover some of the most common costs you’ll encounter using the service. Again, remember, using grocery delivery isn’t usually the most economical option, but it does offer an aspect of optimization and automation to your life.
One opinion I’d like to share.
I hate additional service fees!
I’d also venture to guess some other folks out there would be in agreement based on some Twitter commentary.
https://twitter.com/QJohanna36/status/995310175274840064
Twitter commentary regarding the general disdain of service fees at Instacart.
Delivery Fee
The fee for delivery starts at $3.99 and moves up from there based on a combination of order size plus the scheduled time. Similar to Uber, if you are requesting delivery during a peak time, expect to pay a premium.
Instacart does an excellent job notifying you if you are choosing a peak delivery slot. Refunds are possible for the premium delivery surcharge if your order happens to arrive late.
Service Fee & Alcohol Fee
For everyone that is not an Express customer, there is a 5%, or minimum $2, service fee that applies to non-alcoholic items purchased.
There is an additional service fee related to alcoholic purchases, as detailed in the table below, to cover additional costs, such as ID checking. Note, there is no service fee for pick up items.
Non-Members
Express Members
$0-$35 of alcohol: $2.00 fee
$0-$35 of alcohol: $0.80 fee
$35.01-$75 of alcohol: $4.00 fee
$35.01-$75 of alcohol: $1.60 fee
$75.01-$110 of alcohol: $8.00 fee
$75.01-$110 of alcohol: $3.20 fee
>$110.01 of alcohol: $10.00 fee
>$110.01 of alcohol: $4.00 fee
Instacart alcohol service fee.
Heavy Fee
If you’re purchasing bulk items such as cases of beverages and pet foods alongside others, then your order may incur another associated fee. This applies to orders, when these items deemed heavy, exceed 50 pounds. Users will be notified when this fee applies, and you’ll have an oppor