3 Answers
There are two scenarios:
If you get an order: You can make anywhere from essentially nothing to an average of $13-$19/hour to an upper bound of $25/hour (or so they say). The longer you take on an order, the lower you make within the time allotted for your shift, and the lower you make per hour.
If you're "on the clock" and you never get a single order, you still get $10/hour by default. I personally wouldn't mind this - I can do homework in my car indefinitely for $10/hour.
If you get an order: You can make anywhere from essentially nothing to an average of $13-$19/hour to an upper bound of $25/hour (or so they say). The longer you take on an order, the lower you make within the time allotted for your shift, and the lower you make per hour.
If you're "on the clock" and you never get a single order, you still get $10/hour by default. I personally wouldn't mind this - I can do homework in my car indefinitely for $10/hour.
In our area there is hardly a hourly guarantee, so you gotta hustle hard. Instacart pays as follow:
I'm telling you right now the percentage doesn't add up but this is from what people told me.
Some times you go home with nothing cause lot of people don't believe in tipping or its a slow day but there are a nice amount of generous people in the DC area and they understand you are working hard to help them have a wonderful shopping experience.
- Full-time Shoppers: $10/batch ($5 at Costco) plus 100% tip. After 10 items you get .50 per item and after 7 items .70 per item at Costco.
- In-Shoppers: $11/hour plus 20% tip
- Drivers: $1 per delivery plus 100% tips
I'm telling you right now the percentage doesn't add up but this is from what people told me.
Some times you go home with nothing cause lot of people don't believe in tipping or its a slow day but there are a nice amount of generous people in the DC area and they understand you are working hard to help them have a wonderful shopping experience.
As I understand from top full-service shoppers, the "earnings" numbers that Instacart reports are BEFORE vehicle expenses. After expenses, the ones who kick ass and get good tips look at $14-15/hr.
Most seem to be making less than $10/hr (but they think they're making more because they haven't tracked their vehicle expenses).
Also, because they are independent contractors, they must pay an additional 7.65% in FICA (the half normally covered by employers).
That extra 7.65% is enough reason to tip them 7.65% MORE than waitresses even if you think they're doing the same work. (Hint: they're working harder for you than wait staff AND getting taxed more.)
Most seem to be making less than $10/hr (but they think they're making more because they haven't tracked their vehicle expenses).
Also, because they are independent contractors, they must pay an additional 7.65% in FICA (the half normally covered by employers).
That extra 7.65% is enough reason to tip them 7.65% MORE than waitresses even if you think they're doing the same work. (Hint: they're working harder for you than wait staff AND getting taxed more.)
