We’re all busy, and grocery shopping is a surprisingly large time-suck. Plus, given the current climate, you probably want to limit grocery store trips for the sake of your health and that of those around you.
Whether you’re looking to meal plan or stock up on essentials, Instacart offers grocery delivery which may be just the right service for you. Their app is free to download and the service is also offered through their website. Ordering groceries is as simple as tapping a button on your phone.
We put together an Instacart review to tell Houston locals more about this nifty service.
Instacart Houston offers a variety of options for grocery delivery, including an annual membership with a discount. If you’re looking to save yourself a trip to the market, read our Instacart review below for our write up on what’s going down with Instacart in Houston.
What is Instacart?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGYA1wMy9fw
Instacart is an online grocery delivery service. It allows you to browse and purchase products and groceries online or through their app. Then, one of their “personal shoppers” picks up the groceries for you and delivers them to your house.
You can leave instructions for the personal shopper, like if you want a specific flavor of cheese. You can also chat with your personal shopper while they are in-store. They even now offer “Leave at My Door Delivery” for increased flexibility. If you’re looking to spend less time at the grocery store, this might just be the service for you.
In Houston, groceries can be delivered in as little as 1 hour after ordering. There are different delivery fees for different speeds, but the bottom line is this:
With Instacart, you can sit down for 10 minutes, order an entire cart worth of food from your local grocer (or even multiple grocers) and have it delivered to your door – all within an hour or two!
Click here to learn more about Instacart!
What Stores are on Instacart Houston?
Instacart Houston serves the local community with products from many of the most popular retailers in the area. On Instacart, you’ll find products from:
- Grocery stores like Kroger, Aldi, H-E-B, Sprouts Market, Whole Foods, and more
- Wholesale clubs, like Costco, Sam’s Club, Restaurant Depot and more
- Alcohol retailers, like Total Wine, Spec’s and more
- Specialty retailers, like Petco, Sur La Table, CVS Pharmacy and more
Instacart is continually adding new partners, so the Houston Instacart stores list keeps expanding. Note that not all retailers are available for delivery in all of Houston. Availability varies depending on your location.
Another huge perk of Instacart is you can make purchases from multiple retailers in the same order, without having to drive all across town yourself! You will likely be charged separate delivery fees, but even so, this is the ultimate convenience!
Click here to browse products available on Instacart Houston!
What are the Fees for Houston Grocery Delivery?
Instacart fees in Houston vary, but the current standard delivery fee is $3.99-$7.99. The fee varies based on the size of your order, and the delivery time you select. There may be service fees on small orders. There may also be an additional Busy Time fee, which kicks in during rush hour and other busy shopping times.
Generally speaking, the fees get cheaper on orders over $35.
You are also encouraged to tip your Instacart shopper. The default tip amount is usually set to 5% of the order total, but you can change this to your liking.
You can also subscribe to Instacart Express, which offers unlimited free delivery on all orders over $35. This service costs $99 a year, with a free 2-week trial.
If you use the service frequently, Instacart Express is definitely worth subscribing to save money on delivery fees. The company has recently lowered the subscription fee, so it’s an even better deal now!
Additionally, it’s important to understand that Instacart prices on actual products may be different than in-store prices. Each individual retailer sets their own prices on Instacart, and in some cases they can be higher (or lower, oddly) than in-store prices. Store sales don’t always apply, and you can’t use store coupons – although Instacart has their own digital coupons now.
In short, Instacart will definitely cost you a bit more than going to the grocery store yourself – but that’s not the point. The point is you can save several hours of your time, battling epic crowds and brutal Houston traffic. To me, that’s worth paying a bit extra.
Houston Instacart Review: Is It Worth It?
If you’re like me and dislike grocery shopping every week, then yes, Instacart is absolutely worth it!
If you don’t have a car, have a disability, or you’re not feeling well, Instacart is a lifesaver.
If you’re a busy professional, stay-at-home parent watching the kiddos, or otherwise have your time occupied, Instacart can save you a ton of time.
If you’re a parent who wants to avoid grocery shopping with the kids, the service is brilliant.
With all that said, if you’re on a tight budget or enjoy using store coupons, Instacart may not be the best choice. You’ll likely pay a bit more for your groceries with this service, after taking into account the delivery fee and the tip to your driver.
Remember that Instacart is providing a service- their purpose is to do your shopping for you, not necessarily to make grocery shopping less expensive. If you’re a bargain-hunting coupon queen/king or especially picky about meat and produce, you may want to visit the stores yourself. If you’re like me and can think of a dozen better ways to spend your time than at the grocery store, Instacart offers a great service that can help you do just that.
I personally use Instacart and love it. I don’t exclusively use it – you’ll still find me in a grocery store from time to time. But on those busy days and especially during today’s uncertain times, the service is a lifesaver.
Click here to learn more about Instacart in Houston!
Are you going to try Instacart? If you use it already, what’s your personal Instacart review? Let us know in the comments!
