Oftentimes I enter a grocery store to shop an Instacart batch for a customer, and the employees behave as though a thief has just walked in. Wait, wait, wait, what is Instacart you may ask? Instacart is an app that brings together customers and shoppers, with the latter shopping and delivering groceries to the customer’s address for payment. So back to my entry into the store. These employees do not say anything audible, but their attitude and behaviour say that they would much prefer if I was not there. It has reached the point where I have chosen not to accept batches at certain stores, because of this treatment. Some of us appear to be an inconvenience to them. Considering this, I want to inform grocery workers of a few facts.
We Do Not Just Walk Off the Streets
Instacarters or Instacart Contractors/shoppers, go through the same sort of background checks that they went through to hold positions as grocery store employees. Not only that, but we were also trained to carry out the tasks that we do. The training is done via the Instacart app, and includes ‘Demo Orders’ and lessons to improve our skills. These include finding items, customer communication, and the one you might like the best, communicating with grocery staff. All of this is done to ensure that we all work together to satisfy the customer.
There is Common Ground Among us
We are working towards earning an honest living. Like you, we have bills to pay, rent/mortgage payments due, and other expenses to take care of. You may face challenges to get groceries ready on time for pickup customers, or maintaining stocked shelves in a busy store. For us Instacart shoppers, we face weather and traffic challenges when delivering, and periodic app outages. We both work long hours, (up to nine hours daily for me sometimes). We are all seeking to serve customers. Let us see each other as links in a common chain.
A Highly Satisfied Customer Made this Paycheck Possible
These words appear on each paycheck, (virtual or print) of all the employees of one of the largest retailers in the United States. They may seem insignificant, commonplace, or even just as corporate’s way to get productivity, but it is quite true. We are all part of a bubble, to use covid-19 terminology loosely, ensuring that everyone stays well and survives. When we Instacarters show up at your store, we represent customers who have decided that they want a third party to do their shopping on their behalf. We spend via debit or credit just like other customers who choose to make the grocery trip themselves. Those monies become part of a pool through which you receive your weekly or fortnightly paycheck.
I would agree that there some Instacarters may be rude or obnoxious. Unfortunately, this is the world that we live in with people, Instacarters, Employees, Managers, who display different attitudes, but it is no reason to lump everyone into one pot. Despite the negativity, let me say a hearty thank you to the Grocery store employees who do not simply clock-in and clock-out, but those who are sincere about helping ALL customers no matter their background, affiliation, or race. Remember, we Instacart shoppers are human beings too!
DillaTalks 