What you think about: Instacart’s cut to shopper minimum base pay

Last week, Instacart announced that it would be dropping its minimum order base pay rates for shoppers from $7 to $4 — a move that left many workers unhappy.

Some of those workers said they’re now considering switching over to restaurant-order deliveries (which don’t require shopping), while others are considering alternatives like full-time jobs.

Here’s what you had to say: 

Anonymous shopper
When I first started at Instacart last July, I used to make really good money, up to $30-$35 an hour. They had just recently cut out base pay from $7 to $4 which is very ridiculous. I have been doing DoorDash, Uber Eats, SkipTheDishes, and Instacart now for almost two years. They all used to make good money. Nowadays, none of the apps pay you enough to even work for them. I have even started putting in resumes at my local Tim Hortons because I’m using more money than I am making. They offer you calls for $26 going 30-40 kilometers. How does anyone expect to make any money off of that? I’ve treated these jobs like my full time jobs. I pay my rent, bills, car insurance, car maintenance. I buy my groceries for me and my fiance, who is also pregnant, I have three little pups. How can one survive off of such little pay?

Something has to be done about these gig apps because they don’t even pay minimum wage anymore. I’m lucky I can make over $50 a day now. I’ve seen a batch in my list as low as $5.43 for 22 items. Now they said they dropped batch pay on smaller orders. That’s not a small order to none of us out here. Instacart is just finding a way to use us shoppers out here for as little pay as they can give us and it’s not fair. Please help me make this be heard; help us make a change. Thank you.

J Cherman
From my perspective, this is another example of Instacart trying to squeeze their virtual staff to make the bottom line look better. Already, I am seeing grocers switching away from them more and more. Generally, when I see online orders reach a certain threshold, the retailer brings ecomm in house and keeps the Instacart marketplace. Once customers see the lower prices buying from the grocer directly, they switch over and volume in the marketplace drops off causing shoppers to find other work. Some shoppers are joining the grocer for better pay.

Joan Howard
This cut is unfair and it will make me reconsider using Instacart going forward. I have used Instacart for the past several years.

Anonymous shopper
I have been working for Instacart in Houston and the surrounding areas for a couple years now. It wasn’t great but it wasn't horrible as it is now. Customers have tipped $.50 cents! I was floored when I saw that. I took the batch just so I could start, as batches are now hard to come by. I thought maybe they would tip at drop off...nope! I wanted to ask the customer if they really tip .50 cents for these two cases of water, two 12 packs of sodas along with the 26 other items they ordered. The fact that Instacart even allows them to not take care of an important part of their company shows me they lack appreciation for the people who actually make it happen for them. They wouldn’t have a delivery service if they didn't have the people to deliver the goods. The batch pay is ridiculous! It was terrible at $7 for all the work we do. Whether it’s one item or 50 items, I am still going to a store, getting your item/items and God forbid they don’t have it in stock. Now I have to find a replacement! for that, pay for it and finally drop it off at your front door. ALL THAT CONVENIENCE they now want us to do it for $4. Wow! I wish that the Houston area would get a lawsuit going against them like they have in other states. Instacart isn’t paying and customers are not tipping. I am not a happy shopper. 

Anonymous
This is not a move that a stable or profitable company makes. Not surprising considering all of the missteps Instacart has made of late that has its retail partners fleeing from the platform. Rumor is that Aldi is the most recent defection. Expect their order volume to continue to plummet as competitors like DoorDash, Uber Eats, Amazon, Walmart Spark, and in-house supermarket delivery, etc., take business back from Instacart. This drastic pay cut is further evidence of Instacart’s unsustainable business model that is drawing way too much attention from federal and state regulators. Not a great time to be an employee or an investor.

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