How to Obtain Refunds for Orders on Online Grocery Platform Instacart

Overview of Instacart

Instacart is an online grocery delivery platform that partners with over 750 retail stores and delivers from over 70,000 stores across North America. Customers can order groceries and other household items from Instacart’s website or mobile app and have them delivered or ready for pickup within hours.

Instacart’s Refund Policy

Instacart has a generous refund policy to ensure customer satisfaction. Customers can request refunds for issues like:

  • Missing items
  • Damaged items
  • Incorrect items
  • Expired items

To be eligible for a refund, you must report the issue within 7 days of delivery. Refunds are typically processed within 5-10 business days.

How to Request a Refund

Requesting a refund from Instacart is easy. Here are the steps:

On the Mobile App

  1. Open the Instacart app and tap “Your Orders”
  2. Select the problematic order
  3. Tap “Get help”
  4. Choose the issue (missing item, damaged item, etc.)
  5. Select the affected items
  6. Choose whether you want an account credit or to contact support

On the Website

  1. Go to instacart.com and click “Your Orders”
  2. Click “Report a problem” on the relevant order
  3. Select the issue
  4. Choose the affected items
  5. Select an account credit or contact support

You’ll receive a confirmation email with details on any refunds or credits issued.

Tips for Successful Refunds

Here are some tips to make sure your refund request is accepted:

  • Report issues promptly – wait no longer than 7 days after delivery
  • Provide details – be specific about which items were affected and how
  • Include photos – photos documenting damage or missing items help support your request
  • Check credits right away – account credits should appear immediately so you can re-order items
  • Follow up if needed – if your refund is delayed, politely contact Instacart support

What Items are Eligible for Refunds?

Most items purchased on Instacart are eligible for refunds or credits if there was an issue. However, some exceptions include:

  • Alcohol – subject to retailer policies
  • Gift cards – cannot be refunded after delivery
  • Fees – delivery and service fees are non-refundable

Items eligible for return directly to the retailer also depend on that retailer’s policies. Review return policies before requesting refunds.

How Refunds Are Issued

Once approved, refunds are typically issued back to your original payment method within 5-10 business days. This includes:

  • Credit/debit cards
  • PayPal
  • EBT/SNAP
  • Instacart gift cards

For fastest service, Instacart may immediately apply credits to your Instacart account. These can be used on future orders.

Getting Help from Instacart Support

If you run into any problems getting a refund from Instacart, you can contact their support team:

  • In-app chat – The easiest way to reach an agent who can view your account details and order history in real-time. Open your Instacart app and look for the “Chat” button.
  • Email – Send an email to [email protected] explaining your refund issue. Include your order number.
  • Social media – Tweet @Instacart with your issue. Direct Messages are open as well.

Instacart’s support team is quite responsive and trained to resolve customer refund disputes. So don’t hesitate to reach out!

Following Instacart’s refund policies closely and seeking help when needed is the key to getting your money back for any unsatisfactory orders. Just remember to act quickly, provide documentation, and be patient with support staff.