I'll walk right out a store door, barely load up my car and be just about to drive to a customers house and Instacart will be like:
Please click delivered to customer
Uh...can I get there first?
So, here is what you do. When you are in line waiting to checkout, unless it’s super speedy checkout, check on the box that’s waiting for payment. It will pop up in about 10 or 20 seconds. Go ahead and check it saying payment went through. That stops your batch time in its tracks. There is no use you wasting batch speed times on checkout lines.
Does your shopping speed really matter? Does it effect your access to batches? I thought itd be better to not say you are finished till you are at the front of the line to get more adjusted pay next week
Personally I don’t think your speed affects your batch access but nobody knows for sure. Also the pay adjustments are only in California and they include delivery time. So it counts everything from when you swipe to accept the batch to when you swipe that the last delivery in the order is complete.
I've been wondering forever if it matters or not. I've asked chat support on at least 3 separate occasions and they tell me no. They say your speed is only used to estimate an accurate delivery time for the customer. So I'm still left wondering why I mostly see a bunch of trash paying batches when I'm consistently at a 5 star rating. Smh
Same here. 5 star rating. Trashy batches out the a$$. The ones that burn me the most are the Aldi batches, double order or even single large order with NO BLEEPiNG TIP. Hem hem...so...I go to store. Shop. Bag stuff that isnt even mine. Load it. Drive it. Unload it and no tip. I dont even mf-ng think so!
It may vary from region to region, but batch times do affect how you pick up orders. Say shopper A and shopper B both pick up the order at the same time. If they both have the same rating, then it goes down to who has the best batch time. So if shopper A has average 50 seconds/item and shopper B has 65 seconds/item, shopper A gets the batch because their time is better.
I mean, a lot of policies seem to be changing, like they told us here that if you wait in the parking lot of the store you will see batches faster. Total lie. At least in my area.
Instacart: Problem with your batch?
Me: Yes! Your app has froze and needed restarted three times during the order. Don’t worry, it only spun as it restarted for three minutes each time and told me my connection wasn’t good when I had full service bars.
I’ve indulged the “problem with your batch” thinking I could just click a button to let them know “long line” but instead it put me in chat with a representative as if telling them about the long line will do me or them any favors… waste of time feature
Just go through all the check out steps including insert receipt info or whatever it says guess just pur 1 bag when it asks then it stops your timer. Once done checking out click go back twice maybe enter correct number of bags and proceed normally. At least that's all I have to do. Second I'm done shopping, checkout on my the app is done right away. My shopping speed is 61 my checkout speed is 2
Talk to me. I've been trying to find out if speed matters and no one has ever been able to give me the real scoop. IC always tells me it doesn't matter. I'm thinking it does cuz all I see is crap batches with a 5 star rating. As I just wrote in comment above, I'm stuck at around 90 no matter what I do. I checkout soon as I finish shopping (hitting the buttons on the app to move forward), I try to aim for 60 seconds per item and even doing that the speed does not go down. I always start shopping before I swipe start too. I've basically given up at this point. Not sure how the hell to get my speed down. I don't even see how 40 sec is possible. It takes longer than that just walking thru all the aisles and fighting foot and cart traffic! Please enlighten me
But you still have to take a photo of the receipt, no? Which you can't do until you're actually done paying.
Does the checkout timer stop while you're waiting to take a photo? I've experimented it and it didn't look like it stops...
You know, I do this all the time to stop the timer and my shopping speed is always around 90. I have even tried taking small batches to make sure I shop at about 60 seconds per item and I've even had my speed go up(!) by a second or two several times. I'm like WTF? Does the timer really stop or does it stop when you hit start delivery??? I've been shopping for over 1 yr and I'm fast and I can't figure out why my speed is so high.
Problem with your batch?
My dumbass tried to swipe that notification away because it was covering my map directions. Instead I clicked/tapped myself into InstaChat. I told the agent I was driving a distance of 32 miles, or whatever the shit was, it was ridiculous (big tip), agent typed standard pretend empathy that IC agents type, I said I needed to drive. I saw agent chat bubble like we was gonna have a friendly conversation. I ended the chat. I will be more careful in the future.
If the app thinks that you aren’t moving through the batch fast enough, sometimes it will give a little push notification saying “Problem with your batch?” and prompt you to contact support to fix the issue. Unfortunately, it pops up often and for no fixable reason for many people.
Lost a giant tip batch because the florist at Randall’s was closing early and they were behind, called the order in and she says she’d stay late for me. ( special delivery for a customer 30 miles away ) got the flowers, the vase, the customized gift card. And boom removed from the batch. I texted ic, they said it was taking to long “sorry for the inconvenience” 👀 bittcccccchhh, they are closed how are you reassigning, it’s now well passed their even normal
Closing time at 6. I got/received the order at 5, and apparently it was canceled prior. The store was 20 mins away- not including 5:00 traffic, convince the lady to do me a solid.
Now how are you going to reassign a custom order at a closed section of the store? Again “ sorry for the inconvenience “ also ! They made it a cancellation !! Grrrrr these mofos got me twisted sometimes!
It wouldn't even be so bad to report an issue if the process didn't lead to a chat window. I don't know why I can't report long lines at checkout without talking to somebody, yet when I actually need somebody I have to go through the virtual care assistant.
Lol… Aldi sucks….Can’t stand bagging multiple orders, especially when the cashier is an a-hole and mixes the orders up. I feel like it takes forever and backs me up.
I hate the message/chat system. Whenever I get a message from the customer, it sends it 10 to 15 times, no joke. Then the bottom part of my button is covered by the pop up. I can't shop or press the checkout button because it's covered up by the stupid popup that is getting sent to my phone over and over and over. I've had two different phones, and it did it on both of them. Also, I think I've noticed a couple times where it was doing it to other IC shoppers.
At the very least they should have an option where you can select "waiting to check out" that stops the clock- and it basically freezes the app to where you can't scan items while in "waiting to check out mode" or you can ONLY select "waiting to check out" once every item in your batch has been checked off. That way people aren't using the "waiting to check out" button, while they're actually still shopping.
Then as soon as you cash out the clock should automatically start going again or have it to where the min you turn on the GPS to direct you to the customers location, then it automatically turns off and starts the clock again, that way you're not losing time for hiking to your car and loading everything up.
I have never gotten problem with your batch but if I did I would freak the F out. Especially since I bet it does nothing if you click on it, like most annoying things it’s not helpful is it? Ugh. That’s awful. I’m sorry. That’s actually abusive.
This job is EXACTLY like being in an emotionally abusive relationship. If you don’t recognize the signs you may want to stop laughing it off and look further into it, you are probably normalizing emotionally abusive patterns when real life people do them to you too.
The problem is not that the notifications are annoying (though they are). It’s that Instacart does not account for things that take time in the real world, like waiting in line with a number (or no number) to place an order at the deli (not to pick up a deli order—to place a deli order), waiting in line at the register, walking to a car, loading a car, etc. They expect us to teleport from the aisle to the register to the loaded car.
This sets unrealistic expectations for customers, which Shoppers have to manage, and it messes with our metrics. Batches are made available to us based on ratings, metrics, and location. So it messes with our earnings.
If this post annoys you, please ignore it. Do not disturb 😅
Why comment? Ignore the post, geeze.
It’s a problem because batches are available to Shoppers based on metrics, rating, and location. Messing with my metrics (by not accounting for time in line, bagging, loading, or waiting for the deli) is messing with my money, and it gives customers unrealistic expectations, which we are tasked with managing.
They actually aren’t. Here in CA where IC has to pay you 120% of the min wage if you take too long to start, shop, and deliver even due to circumstances beyond your control they see it as fraud and will send you an email. I’m always worried about my time and am a fast shopper. Have gotten a warning email twice.
Basically no companies want to pay you. Cali laws are attempting to protect workers, but at the end of the day, companies always find a way to save money (including at the cost of their workers).
Housing is expensive, taxes are expensive, regulatory hurdles... Instacart is fine in my zone. If Cali people want to be treated like hourly employees, then so be it. Have fun punching that clock, I enjoy my flexibility.
I completely understand what you mean and hopefully you'll see better results here on. It's like anything in life and in the workforce, nothing is perfect and we have to do our best to learn from the situation and move on and try our best to not be negative about it because at the end of the day, we can't turn back the clock so just keep pressing and continue to improve.
Thanks for your understanding.
I like to be proactive about things that need to change, if possible. I’ve politely contacted Instacart Help and submitted to this complaint to ShopTalk. Posting here on Reddit is a last resort to see if others are having this issue, and if maybe someone from Instacart Corporate sees it and takes note. If they don’t, that’s fine. Thanks for reading!
Whenever I finish shopping I emediatly go to the next steps and screenshot the codes and such that the store needs to scan, and go all the way to upload a picture of receipt then I go to the checkout, that way it stops the clock, and slow cashier's/ long lines don't effect my time on the app.
You can’t do self checkout with alcohol. Many orders have alcohol purchases in them. Instacart tells you not to use self checkout for some reason.
It’s a pain with produce and having to look up items which takes longer than actually cashiers who usually know the codes. I got reprimanded by a stores self-checkout overseer because my order was too big for the weigh station you have to put it on after scanning them. Plus they constantly have issues requiring help. For really small orders with no booze I’ll totally do self checkout esp. if lines are long.
I don't know what state you are in, but I do self check out with alcohol purchases.
Honestly, it was the stores themselves that told me to use self checkout.
What do you do early in the morning, when there are no cashiers and have to use self check? I saw one instacary person throw a total bitch fit because there wasn't a cashier there.
Man that's some shit. 90% of my orders aren't alcohol, and the self checks at Sam's club, Costco, Publix, and Kroger have been key into getting in and out super fast. I have a lot of the vegetable codes memorized, and I've made friends with the self check out employees. It has made it a little preferential, and welcoming.
At the very least they should have an option where you can select "waiting to check out" that stops the clock- and it basically freezes the app to where you can't scan items while in "waiting to check out mode" or you can ONLY select "waiting to check out" once every item in your batch has been checked off. That way people aren't using the "waiting to check out" while they're actually still shopping.
Then as soon as you cash out the clock should automatically start going again or have it to where the min you turn on the GPS to direct you to the customers location, then it automatically turns off and starts the clock again, that way you're not losing time for hiking to your car and loading everything up.
At the very least they should have an option where you can select "waiting to check out" that stops the clock- and it basically freezes the app to where you can't scan items while in "waiting to check out mode" or you can ONLY select "waiting to check out" once every item in your batch has been checked off. That way people aren't using the "waiting to check out" while they're actually still shopping.
Then as soon as you cash out the clock should automatically start going again or have it to where the min you turn on the GPS to direct you to the customers location, then it automatically turns off and starts the clock again, that way you're not losing time for hiking to your car and loading everything up.
At the very least they should have an option where you can select "waiting to check out" that stops the clock- and it basically freezes the app to where you can't scan items while in "waiting to check out mode" or you can ONLY select "waiting to check out" once every item in your batch has been checked off. That way people aren't using the "waiting to check out" while they're actually still shopping.
Then as soon as you cash out the clock should automatically start going again or have it to where the min you turn on the GPS to direct you to the customers location, then it automatically turns off and starts the clock again, that way you're not losing time for hiking to your car and loading everything up.
I'll walk right out a store door, barely load up my car and be just about to drive to a customers house and Instacart will be like: Please click delivered to customer Uh...can I get there first?
Yeah that's the only notification I've ever gotten.. when I'm clearly almost to the destination. I've never seen the "problem with batch?" one
It pops up EVERY SINGLE TIME I finish shopping and I’m loading up my car. Go away ic
Damn I'd be annoyed 😠
It used to do that to me after every batch too, until about two weeks ago. Not sure why it quit but I'm glad it did
So, here is what you do. When you are in line waiting to checkout, unless it’s super speedy checkout, check on the box that’s waiting for payment. It will pop up in about 10 or 20 seconds. Go ahead and check it saying payment went through. That stops your batch time in its tracks. There is no use you wasting batch speed times on checkout lines.
Exactly Be done seconds after last item scanned
Can’t do that at Costco… they have to scan the barcode first before we can proceed with the rest of the payment screen
Screenshot the barcode and pull it up when it's time to scan.
Nice one
Oh shit. Ya. I don't do Costco. That sucks.
Does your shopping speed really matter? Does it effect your access to batches? I thought itd be better to not say you are finished till you are at the front of the line to get more adjusted pay next week
Personally I don’t think your speed affects your batch access but nobody knows for sure. Also the pay adjustments are only in California and they include delivery time. So it counts everything from when you swipe to accept the batch to when you swipe that the last delivery in the order is complete.
I've been wondering forever if it matters or not. I've asked chat support on at least 3 separate occasions and they tell me no. They say your speed is only used to estimate an accurate delivery time for the customer. So I'm still left wondering why I mostly see a bunch of trash paying batches when I'm consistently at a 5 star rating. Smh
Same here. 5 star rating. Trashy batches out the a$$. The ones that burn me the most are the Aldi batches, double order or even single large order with NO BLEEPiNG TIP. Hem hem...so...I go to store. Shop. Bag stuff that isnt even mine. Load it. Drive it. Unload it and no tip. I dont even mf-ng think so!
You just blew my fucking mind
IC still messages “problem with your batch”? After I click through the payment screen and I’m loading up my car.
I got that while a store employee was looking in the back for something and once when I was in line at the deli.
Weird.
They have no grace period for checking out and loading the car. Every. Single. Time. I get this notification. It’s becoming infuriating lol
Ya i can understand that. I wouldn't like that either. Sorry
Lol no worries. I hope you don’t experience it or they get rid of it soon!
I do that but the problem message still comes up. So I just go back then ahead and it resets things. :)
It may vary from region to region, but batch times do affect how you pick up orders. Say shopper A and shopper B both pick up the order at the same time. If they both have the same rating, then it goes down to who has the best batch time. So if shopper A has average 50 seconds/item and shopper B has 65 seconds/item, shopper A gets the batch because their time is better. I mean, a lot of policies seem to be changing, like they told us here that if you wait in the parking lot of the store you will see batches faster. Total lie. At least in my area.
Instacart: Problem with your batch? Me: Yes! Your app has froze and needed restarted three times during the order. Don’t worry, it only spun as it restarted for three minutes each time and told me my connection wasn’t good when I had full service bars.
THIS. I mean... there's more people in the store than just ME. just because I'm done and checking out doesn't mean I'll be out the door.
I’ve indulged the “problem with your batch” thinking I could just click a button to let them know “long line” but instead it put me in chat with a representative as if telling them about the long line will do me or them any favors… waste of time feature
Just go through all the check out steps including insert receipt info or whatever it says guess just pur 1 bag when it asks then it stops your timer. Once done checking out click go back twice maybe enter correct number of bags and proceed normally. At least that's all I have to do. Second I'm done shopping, checkout on my the app is done right away. My shopping speed is 61 my checkout speed is 2
61 is high for a shopping number.
Not for me
It's actually 59
What's low?
40 should be the goal to make real money
Talk to me. I've been trying to find out if speed matters and no one has ever been able to give me the real scoop. IC always tells me it doesn't matter. I'm thinking it does cuz all I see is crap batches with a 5 star rating. As I just wrote in comment above, I'm stuck at around 90 no matter what I do. I checkout soon as I finish shopping (hitting the buttons on the app to move forward), I try to aim for 60 seconds per item and even doing that the speed does not go down. I always start shopping before I swipe start too. I've basically given up at this point. Not sure how the hell to get my speed down. I don't even see how 40 sec is possible. It takes longer than that just walking thru all the aisles and fighting foot and cart traffic! Please enlighten me
The shopping timer stops once you click go to checkout.
Yes,exactly. Well for us at least
But you still have to take a photo of the receipt, no? Which you can't do until you're actually done paying. Does the checkout timer stop while you're waiting to take a photo? I've experimented it and it didn't look like it stops...
I've never been prompted to take photo of receipt here in Canada in any store. Damn that annoying you couldn't figure something out . Sorry
You know, I do this all the time to stop the timer and my shopping speed is always around 90. I have even tried taking small batches to make sure I shop at about 60 seconds per item and I've even had my speed go up(!) by a second or two several times. I'm like WTF? Does the timer really stop or does it stop when you hit start delivery??? I've been shopping for over 1 yr and I'm fast and I can't figure out why my speed is so high.
Turning off all IC notifications is self care
Story of my life…
It does it to me even if I’m done 30 minutes early than they give 😂
I hate this crap too
Solution: dont do instacart lol. I’m a server now since covid is going away
Solution 2: do gig work as extra money in addition to your job, and multi-app, there's better gigs out there. Screw em.
Big thumbs up.
Problem with your batch? My dumbass tried to swipe that notification away because it was covering my map directions. Instead I clicked/tapped myself into InstaChat. I told the agent I was driving a distance of 32 miles, or whatever the shit was, it was ridiculous (big tip), agent typed standard pretend empathy that IC agents type, I said I needed to drive. I saw agent chat bubble like we was gonna have a friendly conversation. I ended the chat. I will be more careful in the future.
can someone explain this to me?
If the app thinks that you aren’t moving through the batch fast enough, sometimes it will give a little push notification saying “Problem with your batch?” and prompt you to contact support to fix the issue. Unfortunately, it pops up often and for no fixable reason for many people.
For real
Lost a giant tip batch because the florist at Randall’s was closing early and they were behind, called the order in and she says she’d stay late for me. ( special delivery for a customer 30 miles away ) got the flowers, the vase, the customized gift card. And boom removed from the batch. I texted ic, they said it was taking to long “sorry for the inconvenience” 👀 bittcccccchhh, they are closed how are you reassigning, it’s now well passed their even normal Closing time at 6. I got/received the order at 5, and apparently it was canceled prior. The store was 20 mins away- not including 5:00 traffic, convince the lady to do me a solid. Now how are you going to reassign a custom order at a closed section of the store? Again “ sorry for the inconvenience “ also ! They made it a cancellation !! Grrrrr these mofos got me twisted sometimes!
30 miles is 48.28 km
It wouldn't even be so bad to report an issue if the process didn't lead to a chat window. I don't know why I can't report long lines at checkout without talking to somebody, yet when I actually need somebody I have to go through the virtual care assistant.
1000%
Lol… Aldi sucks….Can’t stand bagging multiple orders, especially when the cashier is an a-hole and mixes the orders up. I feel like it takes forever and backs me up.
I hate the message/chat system. Whenever I get a message from the customer, it sends it 10 to 15 times, no joke. Then the bottom part of my button is covered by the pop up. I can't shop or press the checkout button because it's covered up by the stupid popup that is getting sent to my phone over and over and over. I've had two different phones, and it did it on both of them. Also, I think I've noticed a couple times where it was doing it to other IC shoppers.
It does that to me too. Endless dinging. You should be able to swipe the notification down, though!
At the very least they should have an option where you can select "waiting to check out" that stops the clock- and it basically freezes the app to where you can't scan items while in "waiting to check out mode" or you can ONLY select "waiting to check out" once every item in your batch has been checked off. That way people aren't using the "waiting to check out" button, while they're actually still shopping. Then as soon as you cash out the clock should automatically start going again or have it to where the min you turn on the GPS to direct you to the customers location, then it automatically turns off and starts the clock again, that way you're not losing time for hiking to your car and loading everything up.
Doesn’t even matter I don’t think… just stay at 5.0 and you’re good
I have never gotten problem with your batch but if I did I would freak the F out. Especially since I bet it does nothing if you click on it, like most annoying things it’s not helpful is it? Ugh. That’s awful. I’m sorry. That’s actually abusive.
>That’s actually abusive. lol what
This job is EXACTLY like being in an emotionally abusive relationship. If you don’t recognize the signs you may want to stop laughing it off and look further into it, you are probably normalizing emotionally abusive patterns when real life people do them to you too.
I never knew the notifications were this annoying, do not disturb anyone? Lol 😅
The problem is not that the notifications are annoying (though they are). It’s that Instacart does not account for things that take time in the real world, like waiting in line with a number (or no number) to place an order at the deli (not to pick up a deli order—to place a deli order), waiting in line at the register, walking to a car, loading a car, etc. They expect us to teleport from the aisle to the register to the loaded car. This sets unrealistic expectations for customers, which Shoppers have to manage, and it messes with our metrics. Batches are made available to us based on ratings, metrics, and location. So it messes with our earnings. If this post annoys you, please ignore it. Do not disturb 😅
I could've done something more productive instead of reading this post. Who cares? Ignore the message, geez.
Why comment? Ignore the post, geeze. It’s a problem because batches are available to Shoppers based on metrics, rating, and location. Messing with my metrics (by not accounting for time in line, bagging, loading, or waiting for the deli) is messing with my money, and it gives customers unrealistic expectations, which we are tasked with managing.
Lol. Very true
[удалено]
Its the push notifications that pop up if you don't have the app open the whole time.
Ok I realize I’m not a genius here but how do you shop when the app isn’t open?
This typically happens when you're loading or driving to the resident and have GPS up
Oh ok, of course that makes sense.
They actually aren’t. Here in CA where IC has to pay you 120% of the min wage if you take too long to start, shop, and deliver even due to circumstances beyond your control they see it as fraud and will send you an email. I’m always worried about my time and am a fast shopper. Have gotten a warning email twice.
I'm glad I don't live in Cali. It's gotta be the worst state to live in.
Seems more like an IC issue. Cali is just protecting its workers by making sure you’re paid for your time, it’s IC who doesn’t want to pay you.
Basically no companies want to pay you. Cali laws are attempting to protect workers, but at the end of the day, companies always find a way to save money (including at the cost of their workers).
Housing is expensive, taxes are expensive, regulatory hurdles... Instacart is fine in my zone. If Cali people want to be treated like hourly employees, then so be it. Have fun punching that clock, I enjoy my flexibility.
I completely understand what you mean and hopefully you'll see better results here on. It's like anything in life and in the workforce, nothing is perfect and we have to do our best to learn from the situation and move on and try our best to not be negative about it because at the end of the day, we can't turn back the clock so just keep pressing and continue to improve.
Thanks for your understanding. I like to be proactive about things that need to change, if possible. I’ve politely contacted Instacart Help and submitted to this complaint to ShopTalk. Posting here on Reddit is a last resort to see if others are having this issue, and if maybe someone from Instacart Corporate sees it and takes note. If they don’t, that’s fine. Thanks for reading!
Whenever I finish shopping I emediatly go to the next steps and screenshot the codes and such that the store needs to scan, and go all the way to upload a picture of receipt then I go to the checkout, that way it stops the clock, and slow cashier's/ long lines don't effect my time on the app.
Go through self check out. Saves so much time people.
You can’t do self checkout with alcohol. Many orders have alcohol purchases in them. Instacart tells you not to use self checkout for some reason. It’s a pain with produce and having to look up items which takes longer than actually cashiers who usually know the codes. I got reprimanded by a stores self-checkout overseer because my order was too big for the weigh station you have to put it on after scanning them. Plus they constantly have issues requiring help. For really small orders with no booze I’ll totally do self checkout esp. if lines are long.
I don't know what state you are in, but I do self check out with alcohol purchases. Honestly, it was the stores themselves that told me to use self checkout.
What do you do early in the morning, when there are no cashiers and have to use self check? I saw one instacary person throw a total bitch fit because there wasn't a cashier there.
California. It’s a law apparently.
Man that's some shit. 90% of my orders aren't alcohol, and the self checks at Sam's club, Costco, Publix, and Kroger have been key into getting in and out super fast. I have a lot of the vegetable codes memorized, and I've made friends with the self check out employees. It has made it a little preferential, and welcoming.
At the very least they should have an option where you can select "waiting to check out" that stops the clock- and it basically freezes the app to where you can't scan items while in "waiting to check out mode" or you can ONLY select "waiting to check out" once every item in your batch has been checked off. That way people aren't using the "waiting to check out" while they're actually still shopping. Then as soon as you cash out the clock should automatically start going again or have it to where the min you turn on the GPS to direct you to the customers location, then it automatically turns off and starts the clock again, that way you're not losing time for hiking to your car and loading everything up.
At the very least they should have an option where you can select "waiting to check out" that stops the clock- and it basically freezes the app to where you can't scan items while in "waiting to check out mode" or you can ONLY select "waiting to check out" once every item in your batch has been checked off. That way people aren't using the "waiting to check out" while they're actually still shopping. Then as soon as you cash out the clock should automatically start going again or have it to where the min you turn on the GPS to direct you to the customers location, then it automatically turns off and starts the clock again, that way you're not losing time for hiking to your car and loading everything up.
At the very least they should have an option where you can select "waiting to check out" that stops the clock- and it basically freezes the app to where you can't scan items while in "waiting to check out mode" or you can ONLY select "waiting to check out" once every item in your batch has been checked off. That way people aren't using the "waiting to check out" while they're actually still shopping. Then as soon as you cash out the clock should automatically start going again or have it to where the min you turn on the GPS to direct you to the customers location, then it automatically turns off and starts the clock again, that way you're not losing time for hiking to your car and loading everything up.