Life can be busy, and sometimes, those little details like tipping your Instacart shopper for your Kroger order might slip your mind, or perhaps you want to adjust it based on an exceptional (or less-than-exceptional) experience. Good news! Instacart does allow you to change your tip, even after your delicious groceries have been delivered. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you can adjust your tip with ease.
Are you ready to make sure your shopper's hard work is properly rewarded, or perhaps fine-tune your appreciation after seeing your perfectly delivered groceries? Let's dive in!
The Why Behind Tip Adjustment: Flexibility and Fairness
Instacart understands that circumstances can change, and so can your perception of the service received. They allow tip adjustments for a few key reasons:
To reward exceptional service: If your shopper went above and beyond, found perfect substitutions, or delivered in record time, you might want to increase their tip to show your gratitude.
To adjust for less-than-ideal service: Conversely, if there were significant issues with your order, missing items, or a poor shopping experience, you have the option to reduce the tip.
Accidental input errors: Sometimes, we're rushing and might accidentally enter a higher or lower tip than intended. The adjustment window allows you to correct these mistakes.
It's important to note that while you can increase tips up to 14 days after delivery, you can reduce them only up to 2 hours after delivery. This policy helps protect shoppers from "tip baiting," where a large tip is offered to secure faster service, only to be reduced after the delivery is complete.
Step 1: Accessing Your Order History
This is where your journey to tip adjustment begins. Whether you're a mobile app devotee or a web browser warrior, Instacart has you covered.
1.1 Using the Instacart Mobile App
Open the Instacart App: First things first, launch the Instacart app on your smartphone or tablet. Make sure you're logged in to your account.
Navigate to "Your Orders": Look for the three horizontal lines (often called a "hamburger menu") in the upper left-hand corner of the screen. Tap on this menu.
Select "Your Orders": From the dropdown menu that appears, tap on "Your Orders." This will take you to a list of all your past and current Instacart orders.
1.2 Using the Instacart Website
Go to the Instacart Website: Open your web browser and go to
www.instacart.com.Log In: If you're not already logged in, enter your email address and password to access your account.
Find "Your Orders": Once logged in, look for your account name or a similar icon (often a person silhouette) in the upper right-hand corner. Click on it. From the dropdown, select "Your Orders."
Step 2: Locating the Specific Kroger Order
Now that you're in your order history, it's time to find the exact Kroger delivery you want to modify.
Browse Your Orders: Scroll through your list of orders. They are usually displayed in chronological order, with the most recent at the top.
Identify the Kroger Order: Look for the order that was delivered from Kroger. You'll typically see the store name (Kroger) along with the delivery date and time.
Tap/Click to View Details: Once you've found the correct order, tap on it in the app or click on it on the website to open its detailed view.
Step 3: Accessing the Receipt and Tip Options
Within the order details, you'll find the gateway to your tipping options.
View Order Details: Depending on the app or website version, you might see "View Order Details" or simply be taken directly to the details page.
Find "View Receipt" or "Rate and Tip": Look for an option that says "View Receipt" or "Rate and Tip." On the web, it might be a direct link within the order summary. In the app, it's usually visible once you've tapped on the order. Click or tap this option.
Locate Tip Options: Once you've accessed the receipt or rating section, you should clearly see the current tip amount and the options to adjust it. This is usually presented with a visual slider, pre-set percentages, or an input field.
Step 4: Adjusting Your Tip Amount
This is the core step where you make the change!
Choose Your Desired Tip: Instacart typically provides a few pre-set tip percentages (e.g., 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%), along with an option for a custom amount.
To increase: Select a higher percentage, or enter a custom amount if you wish to go beyond the suggested percentages.
To decrease: Select a lower percentage, or enter a specific lower amount. Remember the 2-hour window for reductions!
Review and Confirm: Double-check the new tip amount to ensure it's what you intended.
Proceed to Next/Done: After selecting your desired tip, tap or click the "Next" or "Done" button.
Step 5: Providing Feedback (Optional but Recommended)
Instacart often provides an opportunity to give feedback after changing a tip. This is a valuable step, especially if you're adjusting downwards.
Rate Your Experience: You'll typically be prompted to rate your overall experience (e.g., using a star rating system).
Leave a Comment (Optional): There will usually be a text box where you can provide comments.
If increasing the tip: You can mention what your shopper did well, e.g., "Excellent produce selection and communication!" or "Went the extra mile to find a rare item."
If decreasing the tip: Be constructive and specific. For example, "Several incorrect items and no communication about substitutions" or "Delivery was significantly delayed without notice." While not mandatory, this feedback helps Instacart understand areas for improvement and can provide valuable context for the shopper.
Finalize Your Changes: Once you've added your rating and comments (if desired), click or tap "Done" or "Submit" to finalize the tip adjustment.
Important Considerations and Troubleshooting
Time Limit: As mentioned, you generally have a 14-day window to increase a tip and a 2-hour window to decrease a tip after delivery. After these windows close, you will no longer be able to adjust the tip directly through the app or website.
Kroger Delivery vs. Instacart Delivery: Be aware that some Kroger stores offer their own delivery service directly, separate from Instacart. If you ordered directly through Kroger's delivery service (not Instacart), their tipping policies might differ, and often, their direct delivery drivers cannot accept tips. This guide specifically addresses changing tips for Kroger orders placed through the Instacart platform.
Payment Method: The tip adjustment will be processed through your original payment method used for the order.
Confirmation: You should receive a confirmation (either in-app or via email) that your tip has been adjusted.
If You Can't Find the Option: If for any reason you're unable to locate the tip adjustment option within the specified timeframe, or if you encounter a technical issue, don't hesitate to reach out to Instacart Customer Service. They can often assist with manual adjustments or provide clarification.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about changing your tip on Kroger Instacart orders, with quick answers:
How to change my tip on Instacart after the 2-hour window?
You generally cannot decrease a tip after 2 hours. However, you can increase a tip up to 14 days after delivery. If it's an emergency or significant issue, contact Instacart Customer Service directly.
How to contact Instacart customer service for tip issues?
You can contact Instacart customer service via their app's Help Center, by calling their support number (1-888-246-7822), or by emailing help@instacart.com.
How to see my Instacart order history to adjust a tip?
In the Instacart app, tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top-left, then select "Your Orders." On the website, log in and click on "Your Orders" from your account menu.
How to increase a tip on a past Kroger Instacart order?
Follow the steps: Go to "Your Orders," select the Kroger order, tap "View Receipt" or "Rate and Tip," and then choose a higher tip amount or enter a custom amount. You have up to 14 days for increases.
How to decrease a tip on a Kroger Instacart order after delivery?
Go to "Your Orders," select the Kroger order, tap "View Receipt" or "Rate and Tip," and then choose a lower tip amount or enter a custom amount. Remember, you only have 2 hours after delivery to decrease a tip.
How to know if my Kroger order was delivered by Instacart or Kroger's own service?
If you placed the order through the Instacart app or website, it was handled by Instacart. If you ordered directly from Kroger's website or app and it was delivered by a Kroger-branded vehicle or driver, it was likely Kroger's own service.
How to leave feedback when adjusting a tip on Instacart?
After selecting your new tip amount, Instacart typically provides an optional text box for comments where you can explain your reasoning for the tip adjustment.
How to cancel an Instacart order to change the tip before delivery?
You cannot directly change a tip before delivery once an order is placed without canceling. To cancel, go to "Your Orders," select the order, and if the shopper hasn't started picking, you'll see an option to cancel. You can then reorder with the desired tip.
How to ensure my tip goes directly to the Instacart shopper for my Kroger order?
Instacart states that 100% of your tip goes directly to the shopper.
How to find the receipt for my Kroger Instacart order to modify the tip?
Within your order details in the Instacart app or website, look for a button or link labeled "View Receipt" or "Rate and Tip." This will display your order breakdown and tip options.
