I’m an Instacart Shopper: Here Are 9 Things You Should Never Buy on Instacart

Jake Arky
©Instacart
©Instacart

Work is stressing you out. The kids are bouncing off the walls. You are exhausted, with grocery shopping being the last thing on your mind. Do you really want to jump in the car, drive all the way to the store, go through all the aisles to get what you need, and then check out? Of course not! Who does? But we’ve all been there and the solution usually comes in the form of Instacart.

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Instacart is the online grocery service platform that connects customers to Instacart partner stores where they can order groceries for delivery or quick and easy pickup. Most of the time, Instacart is a great way to shop for groceries without leaving home, however, there are a few things you should never put in your digital basket. Sometimes due to expense, other times due to quality, and sometimes just because Instacart isn’t the best way to get them.

Check out what Instacart shoppers say are the top things you should never buy on Instacart.

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Single Bottles of Water

You might be thirsty, parched for a cool sip of water, and turn to Instacart to quench that liquid desire. Only if you order single bottles of water, you might be getting drowned in additional fees.

“Ordering individual bottled water through Instacart may seem convenient, but it often comes with higher delivery fees and service charges, making each bottle more expensive compared to buying in bulk at a local store,” said Ted Howard, an Instacart shopper and founder of EZCustomGifts. “It’s also an environmentally-conscious choice to reduce single-use plastics.

Fresh Produce

There is nothing like biting into a sweet, juicy apple or cutting into a delicious squash, fresh home from the market. The freshness factor with Instacart is questionable at best.

“It’s helpful to be able to hand-pick your own produce so that you can select the items that are best or will suit your needs,” noted Instacart shopper, Catherine Rall, who is also a registered dietitian with Happy V. Rall gives the example of how many times Instacart shoppers will simply grab the first couple peaches they can without squeezing them first to test for ripeness. The same principle for fruit also applies to vegetables.

“Like fresh fruit, you might not receive the best options compared to if you were to hand-pick them yourself,” Rall said of Instacart’s offerings.

Perishable Items

You might live a long way from your store, which might make Instacrat seem convenient so you do not have to drive all the way there and back. However, when perishable items travel a long distance from the store to your home, you might want to skip Instacart.

“Perishable items like dairy, fresh meat, or seafood may not remain fresh during extended delivery times,” explained Howard. “To guarantee the quality of these products, consider using local grocery delivery or pick-up services that offer shorter transit times for perishable goods.”

Flowers

A great way to say thank you, happy anniversary, or your sincerest condolences is with a bouquet of flowers that come right to your door. Unfortunately, Instacart does not have the green thumb to compete. Plus, Instacart often tags $10-15 service fees for flowers.

“Flowers can be delicate and difficult to transport, and they may also incur additional fees,” Howard said. “It’s better to buy flowers from a local florist who can guarantee their freshness and deliver them directly.”

Gift Cards

Gift cards from Instacart are often nonrefundable. This means that they cannot be replaced if they become stolen or lost from the time you buy them to the time your order is ready. Instacart has a policy that states its shoppers are not responsible for the activation or redemption of gift cards, which can only add to confusion, while cutting into your time and money.

Refrigerated Products

The number one item that you should definitely not buy via Instacart is eggs. Why? Because of shipping and handling.

“Instacart shoppers may not be as careful with a carton of eggs as you might be,” Rall explained. “Which could result in a few broken ones by the time they arrive at your door.”

This is true for the majority of products that require refrigeration, such as milk and other dairy products.

“Instacart orders take a while to get to you, and you don’t want these dairy products sitting unrefrigerated for too long,” added Rall.

Hot Foods

You might not feel like shopping or cooking. Throw in a prepared meal or food item, which you think will be hot and ready to eat when you pick it up. Think again, because they will inevitably cool down during the transportation process or pick-up time lag. Pizza, for example, is best when delivered from a restaurant who knows how to get it to your door hot, with quality intact.

Bulk Items

You might want to stock up your pantry while avoiding the lifting and hauling of a large grocery store pickup. However, you should try to avoid ordering in bulk from Instacart, particularly if the items are heavy.

That’s because Instacart tends to markup bulk items, inflating their prices versus when you purchase them in-store, thus producing a less cost-effective buy for your household. On top of all that, there’s no guarantee that your Instacart shopper can carry the order if you live up several flights of stairs.

Alcohol

There are lots of alcohol delivery services available online, including ones that will deliver liquor, beer, and other such goods straight to your home. Instacart can’t compete because the alcohol is often overpriced. Plus, Howard notes there is a risk of getting a counterfeit product if is not purchased from a reputable Instacart partner store.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I’m an Instacart Shopper: Here Are 9 Things You Should Never Buy on Instacart

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