How to change your tip in Instacart

Although tipping is optional, it is a great way to show gratitude and appreciation for the service received. Using online services like Instacart saves time. However, it is always important to remember that there are several employees on the other side who ensure that your order is picked up and successfully delivered. Therefore, it is a good idea to be aware of tipping etiquette.

But what if you want to change your tip?

Maybe you received exceptional service and want to increase your tip, or maybe you didn't receive all of your items on delivery and want to lower the amount. Whatever your reason, Instacart has made it easy for customers to edit their overall tips.

Here we are going to discuss how to successfully modify pre-delivery and post-delivery tips. Plus, we'll answer some frequently asked questions.

Instacart: How to change tip before delivery

When you use Instacart, 100% of any tip is given directly to your grocery shopper. Instacart automatically defaults to 5% of your order total. Although this can be changed, he recommends a minimum tip amount of $2.

There are several ways to add a tip, depending on how you place your order. Instacart allows customers to access the tipping feature from their desktop and phone apps. To add a tip before delivery, here's what you need to do:

On the website:

1. Once you are done shopping, head to the cashier.
   
2. Click on “Say thank you with a tip”.
   
3. Once the page loads, choose the amount you wish to donate.
   
4. Click on “Place order”.
   

From the Instacart mobile app:

1. Once your order is complete, press "Go to checkout".
   
2. Scroll down and select "Delivery Tip".
   
3. Press "Edit".
   
4. Choose the amount you wish to donate.
   
5. Select "Save tip".
   

How to change a tip after delivery

Instacart updated its tipping policy over the past year, allowing customers to change their tips within 24 hours (instead of three days). It's about discouraging tipping — a farcical practice in which a customer offers a large tip to entice grocery shoppers, but then reduces it to a lower amount or even removes it altogether after delivery.

While tipping is only a small part of the population, Instacart has adopted a zero-tolerance policy. For this reason, Instacart also prohibits customers who frequently dump bait. Additionally, those wishing to change the tips after delivery will need to leave comments explaining the reason for the change.

Either way, you can change your tip after a delivery by following the steps below. From the site:

1. Log in to your account and click on the three horizontal lines in the left corner.
2. Click on “Your orders”.
3. Next, choose the order you want to edit, then select "View Order Details".
4. Towards the top of the page, choose “Rate Order”.
5. Once this is complete, you will be able to update your tip amount.
6. Leave comments explaining the reason for the tip change.

From the Instacart mobile app:

1. Log in to your account and tap on the three horizontal lines located in the upper left corner.
   
2. In the list that appears, select "Your orders".
   
3. Go to your most recent order that you want to change.
   
4. Next, tap on “Rate and tip”.
5. Choose the amount you wish to donate.
   
6. Leave comments explaining why you changed the tip.
   

FAQ

Is a tip automatically included in Instacart?

Tips are not automatically added to an Instacart order. Instead, customers are prompted to attach a tip themselves, manually.

When ordering on the website, the amount of the delivery tip is presented at the checkout. Customers can then choose the amount they wish to add as a tip and click “Save”. If you're using the mobile app, the option to add a tip is located at the bottom of the payment screen.

What is the recommended tip amount?

The rule of thumb is to tip 20% of your overall total. When service exceeds expectations, customers are encouraged to tip even more as a sign of appreciation. This could include a buyer staying in regular contact throughout the delivery process or even substituting certain items that may not be available instead of refunding the money.

How is curbside pickup switched?

When Instacart (or curbside) pickup is selected through the website or app, it is not possible to tip the Instacart employee delivering your order. If you wish to tip them, you can do so in person at the pick-up point.

Additionally, the person delivering the order may be an employee of the store or employed separately by Instacart. Either way, the worker will receive an hourly wage and the tip may go to the store rather than the individual.

How does Instacart divide tips?

Through Instacart, customers can place orders in multiple stores at once. However, it is not possible to select separate tips for each order. Instead, the chosen tip for all orders is then split equally among Instacart shoppers. This is because each order will usually have a different customer.

In addition, the orders do not necessarily arrive at the same time. Still, workers share the overall tip, so it's worth considering tipping cash when picking up.

Does part of the tip go to the driver?

A percentage of the overall tip selected on Instacart is given to the delivery driver. Most of a delivery driver's income is made up of tips. Without them, they earn around $6 an hour.

It should also be noted that delivery drivers must cover all expenses involved in delivering each order. This includes gas, vehicle insurance and any wear and tear that may occur.

Understanding this can help customers understand the importance of tipping sensibly when placing orders on Instacart.

Any amount helps

How much you end up tipping on Instacart is entirely up to your personal preference. However, it should be noted that many Instacart employees rely on tips to survive.

While online grocery apps like Instacart existed long before 2022, the pandemic has made them more popular than ever. Many workers also depend on sites like Instacart as their primary source of income and risk their health to ensure orders are filled. To ensure workers are compensated, Instacart's 24-hour tip change policy reduces the risk of tip baiting.

However, sometimes advice needs to be changed for various reasons. Luckily, Instacart offers its customers an easy way to do this, whether they're using a desktop computer or a mobile device.

Have you tried changing your tip on Instacart? How did you like the process? Let us know in the comments section below.