Best products from r/InstacartShoppers

Be prepared for way more than you thought or expected in the demands, whether real or self imposed. Take mind that YOU are the service, IC is merely the conduit and you’ll get out of it what you put into it. My customers are probably split 60/40 between people who are too lazy to shop, and people who CANT shop (elderly/sick/disabled/injured) and those people overwhelmingly have been extremely grateful for the service you provide.

Advice - be friendly, kind, and courteous and try and have a good attitude, it pays off. I always offer/ask if they need help in with the groceries, and if so where would they like them. Again, a lot of my customers genuinely need and appreciate the help so I am more than happy to offer a couple minutes of my time if needed. Learn the stores because I’m telling you, be prepared to start buying shit you’ve never seen or heard of and learn where the items are generally located as most chains are laid out very similar location to location.

Must haves, for me I’d be forked without my instacrates, I have 6 of them that wifey bought from Costco and usually have 3-4 of them at all times. They, are, a, lifesaver!! Can you do it without them, yes, will your life doing this be easier with them, absofreakinglutely. They’ll hold 6 gallons of milk, 4 12 packs, you can stack and double carry them, shit doesn’t roll around (I deliver In a regular cab truck so all my cargo is usually in the bed), and you can lug an amazing amount of stuff in them in one trip to a third floor apartment while double parked in very short order. Trust me, it beats the HELL out of lugging bags!!!

these are pointless to have. when you have big orders (or big items like cases of water, toilet paper and paper towel) those things will take up space and you'll be thinking about where to put them. if you got 2 orders you simply use two carts to make it easier. if the second order is small enough to fit in the top and bottom of the cart then you only need one cart. if you got 3 orders you put the smaller order on the top and bottom of two carts and the other two orders in each cart. it's not rocket science.

if you want to spend money on equipment your better off buying a few of these in different colors (i have two of each color for a total of 6) and a dolly like this

Hey this was my shipping accessories I use.

1. Clever made collapsable crate https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00UM4D5NS/ref=pd_aw_lpo_469_tr_img_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9D7QR3TEJCE1YV1008GP
   
   
2. Collapsable hand cart
   https://www.amazon.com/Magna-Personal-Capacity-Aluminum-Folding/dp/B000HVVSDU
   
   
3. Clever made cooler bags (soft and foldable) buy 2
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01KPW8YWS/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1495113854&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=clevermade%2Bcooler%2Bbag&dpPl=1&dpID=51EpcSKOcbL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1
   
   I use most of this stuff when not working instacart so it's a win win for me.
   

I use a cheero Power Cube 12000 mAh. It works well but being a few years old, I've been looking to see how much better battery packs have gotten. I can't see that they've improved in output really, but certainly lighter/slimmer options out there.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B071ZNFVMD/ref=psdcmw_1252210011_t1_B07D3BC53M



This is what I have. Helps everything although I wouldn’t submit this unless you want Costco order.

But I like it when I do long drive 10-15min to the customer. I still buy bags when needed but if it’s just for beverages I don’t buy bags at the grocery store. I save customers money

Also get a big tote to help transport so you don’t. Have to go back and forth to your car

If you can use a power outlet or extension cord, get this RugDoctor Carpet and Upholstery spray wetvac. It includes the handheld spray vac attachment that's needed to get into the tight spaces of a vehicle. This is a great rug cleaner for home use, so it's a good long term value even if you don't need it for your vehicle very often.

If you want an entirely battery powered vacuum that you can leave in your vehicle to quickly pickup any spill, then I suggest either Hoover 3 Gal wetvac or Hoover 6 gal wetvac, along with two one-gallon plastic pressure sprayers, one with plain water for rinsing and the other for a detergent soap mix to cut and lift staining liquids before they have a chance to set, spoil, mold, or smell.

The bottom of milk cases in stores are saturated with spoiled milk. You have to sponge clean the bottom of every gallon to prevent the transfer to your vehicle, and even that might not be entirely effective. Probably need a couple layers of news paper on top of a plastic tarp, to prevent milk and newspaper inkstains.

OMG!!!! Good Idea thanks

I've been using "instacrates" and i might be able to do something like this. I look so much better when i walk up to someones door with these instacrates. I

https://www.amazon.com/Collapsible-12-Gallon-Storage-Bin-Instacrate/dp/B019VHSPK4

Do any of you guys use a grocery bag carrying tool at all? I got a Grocery Gripps carrying strap from their kickstarter a while ago and I feel like it makes it way easier to carry groceries. It is basically just a strong fabric strap with a loop on both ends but I think it is really handy. I just feed the strap through the grocery bag handles (except for fragile stuff) and then I can carry the weight of the groceries on my shoulder instead of having the bags digging into my hands.

(Disclaimer: I'm not in any way affiliated with the company that makes the Grocery Gripps I linked to, I just think it is a good product!)

I bought a 100 pack of sticker paper that are the size of regular paper sheets off amazon for $12. I printed on them 5 star reviews help deliver food to your family and ours with IC logo and a picture of 5 stars. It looks nice. I fit 6 on a sheet and slap one on the outside of the bag with the delicate items in it.
I called IC and asked if it was ok to do and the lady said I don't see why not.
2 weeks later all of a sudden the in store oppers at wegman's have new stickers and they have to put them om 1 bag per order that are very simliar to mine.

I definitely noticed a little difference and get more ratings. 600 stickers for $12, well worth it.

People sell preprinted stickers on etsy too, but my way was cheaper and my stickers are bigger and more noticeable.

In case anyone wants the sticker paper....

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06WVYGWMD?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I bought an ankle band on amazon for like $8.
https://www.amazon.com/B-Great-Compatible-Jawbone-Fitness-Tracker/dp/B07GT87DM6

Best investment! I would suggest assuming you are the smaller size. I figured I should get the bigger size due to my cankles. I have to put it on the tightest setting.

Iv got the red one.

Push Cart Dolly by Wellmax | Functional Moving Platform + Hand Truck | Foldable for Easy Storage + 360-degree Swivel Wheels + 660lb Weight Capacity | Yellow Colour https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B076ZYHBJF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_UZ.PCbHF87MWW

My experience was different from these accounts in that Instacart would not allow me to begin working until I had the bags in hand and approved. I also just started this year so things may have changed. To be compliant, bags had to be able to fully close and I needed a total capacity of about three and a half grocery bags, something north of 6000 cubic inches I think?

Anyhow, Costco orders destroyed those bags in a couple weeks. I have seen posts advocating that only Costco actually requires the bags, but IC support has repeatedly advised me that they’re required for all stores. The “Remember your cooler bags” pop up is probably why this rumor persists but I don’t doubt that Costco was the driving force behind the requirements and why the policy was started.

Regardless, since I’ve gotten past the bag hurdle, I picked up bags that do not close, but do hold two full grocery bags each with decent insulation and the proper durability. I highly recommend this set: Grab and Go Bags

I use these bags for my personal shopping and they're great:

https://www.amazon.com/Hannah-Insulated-Shopping-Bag-Red/dp/B00JFOQ0UQ

to drop off orders at the customer? i use this and highly recommend it i keep it in my trunk and it folds/unfolds easy.

Yeah, definitely use an Anker or Aukey fast charger. I use one of these and it keeps my Note topped up all day.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B2BMIMS

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LMH8CCS/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_cSEDAbMKHW37A

I bought this, it's a two in one, both a cart and a hand trolley.

Here’s the link on amazon.

Magna Cart Personal 150 lb... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HVVSDU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Sorry, it’s $35 not $30. The handle folds down and the flat part you load stuff on folds up. I’ve put 3 cases of water on that thing with no problem. Best investment I’ve made for this job.