Can You Order From Multiple Stores on Instacart? (Yes, Here’s How)
Instacart seems like one of the holy grail delivery services. They have a subscription service, you can do once-off orders, and they have a variety of stores available on their platform. If you are someone who just does not want to go to the store and lives in an area where Instacart has multiple partners, you might wonder if you can order from multiple stores on Instacart.
You can order from multiple stores on Instacart, but the same shopper will not complete the delivery. Each store will have a separate delivery window, and your orders do not arrive at the same time. Delivery minimums and fees apply to each order, but the tip you provide is divided evenly among the shoppers.
This answer may have helped you, or you may be wondering more, but that is what this article is for. We will further dive into the Instacart platform and explain how it can be used to order from multiple stores!
Hi there! Yes, you can order from multiple stores at once! Learn more about it here: https://t.co/04a83aqVSD – Michael
— Instacart (@Instacart) November 20, 2020
How Do You Order From Multiple Stores on Instacart?
If you want to order from multiple Instacart stores, the process is the same as if you were just ordering from one. You can sign onto your account and begin shopping from the store that you want to shop from.
Instacart will create multiple orders and separate carts while you are shopping for each store. You are, however, able to toggle between the stores while you are shopping. In this way, it is almost as if you are at one superstore picking things left and right to put into your cart.
If you want to switch between stores while you shop, there are a few simple steps to follow:
Using the app:
- Log in and click on the store name at the top of the screen. You will be able to view a list of available stores for your location.
- Click on the store name for the store you’d like to shop.
- Arrive at the store’s shopping page.
- Shop as usual. You can browse, add to cart, and search.
If you are on a computer, the steps are similar:
- Log in and click on the store name at the top of the screen. You will be able to view a list of available stores for your location.
- Click on the store name for the store you’d like to shop.
- Arrive at the store’s shopping page.
- Shop as usual. You can browse, add to cart, and search.
When you get to the checkout, you will handle each order separately by store. Instacart designates their orders by numbers, but you will see the store’s name at the top so that there is no confusion when completing your order.
What Happens to Your Cart When You Order From Multiple Stores?
Your cart will stay the same, but there will just now be multiple store options there. Instead of combining all of your items, your cart will be separated by store.
It is still easy to shop and toggle between stores, but you will see separate delivery windows for each store when you go to check out.
Instead of placing orders store by store, you can switch between stores and add everything in your cart as your heart desires. Instacart will automatically separate this by store for you.
Which Stores Can You Order From?
Any store that is available to you if you were to do a single-store Instacart order is available to you for a multiple-store order.
There are no special partnerships that Instacart requires for multiple store orders since they split them to separate shoppers within the platform. This is great news that you won’t have to deviate from your regular delivery stores!
Stores such as PetSmart, CVS pharmacy, and liquor stores are all options on Instacart that allow you to shop from the ease of your home and the click of your computer.
How Does Instacart Deliver Multiple Store Orders?
Each store comes up with a separate delivery window, meaning they are assigned their own shopper. This means that your items may not arrive at the same time.
Each order will be treated as its own single one. You may get the same delivery window or a separate one. Depending on how quickly the shopper shops, your orders may arrive at different times as well.
Is it from multiple stores? The $35 needs to be spent for each delivery you receive.
— Instacart (@Instacart) June 2, 2017
How Do Tips and Fees Work for Instacart Multiple Store Orders?
Ordering from multiple stores at the same time creates multiple deliveries. Since each delivery is a separate store and has its own shopper, it is treated as its own order. This means delivery minimums apply to each store as well as delivery fees. However, the tip you provide is divided evenly among the shoppers.
Delivery fees work the same on multiple orders as they do on a single one. If you are an Instacart Express member or have any kind of promo that allows for free delivery over $35, that applies per delivery.
If you are not an Express member, the delivery fee for orders over $35 is $3.99. If your order is less than $35, it could be more. In a situation with varying order numbers, you may have different delivery fees if you don’t make the minimums.
While this policy makes sense because you are placing separate orders at the end, it is something to keep in mind so that it doesn’t come as a surprise at the end if you missed a minimum.
When it comes to tipping, this is the one thing that differs. For a multiple-store order, you cannot tip separately. Instead, the tip that you put in gets divided evenly among the shoppers.
This is very important to keep in mind. While the tip is usually a percentage of your order total, it is good to remember that multiple people will be receiving this tip if you plan on tipping differently.
Hey there, Sara ???? ! If you placed an Instacart order from multiple stores, you can rate each shopper separately, but you cannot leave separate tips. Instead, your tip automatically splits between all shoppers who deliver a portion of your order. We hope this helps! -James https://t.co/qKdT3REi0W
— Instacart (@Instacart) December 3, 2020
How Much Do You Tip Instacart Multiple Orders?
It is recommended to tip $4 for smaller orders or 20% for larger orders – whichever is higher. If you are doing a multiple-store delivery, it will likely be higher, and we recommend 20%.
It’s also worth mentioning that rating your shopper functions differently. Even though the shopper tip runs through the same portal and splits evenly, you are allowed to rate your shoppers separately.
This helps your ability to boost a shoppers rating if they went above and beyond or if there was an issue, reporting that to the platform without taking the other shoppers down.
Finally, no-contact delivery is still an option even if you have multiple shoppers. Be sure to indicate it when you check out.
Conclusion
Going to the store is rough, especially after many of us were used to delivery services during the pandemic. Sometimes, you just don’t want to do it. While many people think of delivery services as it pertains to grocery, Instacart has other options available.
If your needs pile up and you find yourself having multiple stores that you need to shop from, Instacart can accommodate that. The ability to shop through multiple stores while placing your order makes the entire process much easier.
Always keep in mind that you will have multiple shoppers, and it will lead to multiple delivery fees and possibly multiple delivery windows.
If you’re interested in finding out more about Instacart, check out the related articles below.
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Instacart Gift Cards: Where to Buy and How to Use Them
Can You Use Instacart to Deliver to Someone Else? (Yes, Here’s How)
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