Having groceries delivered to you may feel like an unnecessary novelty to some, yet to others, it’s a lifesaving service that helps them stay home and stay safe.
Shipt is just one of the many companies offering the ‘Uber of grocery shopping’ services. In this review, I look at what Shipt does and what it costs to help you decide if you too should jump on this gig-economy service.
Shipt Overview
Shipt is a grocery and household product delivery service. You shop online and a Shipt shopper picks your order and delivers it to your doorstep (or another area you prefer, such as a garage or patio). Most people use it for grocery delivery, but you can get household products and even office or pet supplies delivered too.
To place an order, you must first sign up for an account. You can download the Shipt app (Android or iOS) or sign up on a web browser using your laptop or PC.
It’s free to download and/or sign up, but once you go to checkout, you must choose a membership option or pay per delivery.
Shipt delivers from more than grocery stores, although that’s their bread and butter. Stores vary by location, but here are some of the most popular stores:
- Target
- Meijer
- Jewel Osco
- HEB
- Winn Dixie
- Costco
- Petco
- Piggly Wiggly
- Best Buy
- Party City
- Office Depot
- buybuyBaby
It’s easy to use Shipt – you browse the categories like you would at the grocery or superstore. You can click the product for details and nutrition information or click the (+) sign next to the product and instantly add it to your cart.
I like how you can see your cart’s running order in real-time in the top right corner. It’s a welcome feeling seeing the total before you’re in front of the cashier and realize your bill is much higher than you anticipated.
After you place your order, the shopper who takes the order will contact you via the Shipt platform. It comes across as a text message to you. Most shoppers tell you when they started shopping for you so you know how to contact them.
Shoppers are supposed to contact you if an item you ordered isn’t available. If you don’t want/need to be contacted, you can make note of it in the order. You can select ‘do not substitute’ or ‘contact for substitutions.’
Shoppers should also message you when they’re done shopping and on their way to your house. This is a nice feature especially if you have refrigerated or frozen items.
Now let’s look at the membership prices.
Shipt is membership-based. Annual membership is $99 a year. With this membership, you get unlimited deliveries IF your order is over $35. If you spend less than $35, there’s a $7 delivery fee. I’d avoid making any orders less than $35, as it defeats the purpose.
If $99 a year ($8.25/month) isn’t in your budget, or you don’t think you’ll use it enough, Shipt offers pay per order options. The total cost varies by location and order total, but it averages $10 per delivery.
If you’ll use the service more than once, you can buy Delivery Passes (aka prepaid delivery). Shipt sells 3 Delivery Passes at $9/pass and 5 passes at $8/pass, so you save 10 – 20% on delivery.
Sometimes you can find a free trial opportunity online too. You’ll still provide your credit card information because Shipt automatically charges the annual membership fee. If you don’t cancel before your free trial ends, you’re on the hook for a subscription. Mark the expiration date on your calendar, so you can decide before you’re charged.
Are the Prices Worth It?
At $99 a year, plus delivery charges if you order less than $35, it’s a serious decision. Ask yourself, will you use the program regularly?
I think using it at least twice a month makes it worth it. Think of the gas, travel time, and time shopping in the store that you’ll save. Time is money after all.
But, if you don’t have large grocery bills, or you’re the type who shops in bits and pieces rather than planning for the entire week or month, it may not be worth it.
Now let’s talk about product prices.
Shipt states that on average per $35 order, customers pay an average of $5 more than they would in the store.
This varies by location and product, but many products are more expensive, sometimes it’s only a few cents, but there can be a dollar or two difference sometimes. This adds up over time. If you can grab a free trial, it’s a great way to compare prices to see if Shipt is worth it in your area.
It boils down to ‘Is the convenience worth the extra cost?’ That’s something you have to think about if you’re choosing Shipt versus shopping yourself.
How Does it Compare to Instacart?
Shipt’s largest competitor is Instacart. Like Shipt, Instacart offers a grocery and household product delivery service. They shop at similar stores (with a few stores exclusive just to Instacart or Shipt).
Instacart offers pay-per-order delivery options with delivery starting at $3.99 on orders over $35. Fees are higher on club store purchases, one-hour deliveries, and orders less than $35. Instacart also charges a service fee on each order, but it varies by order.
Like Shipt, you can buy an annual Instacart membership called Instacart Express for $99 or $9.99 per month if you prefer to be charged monthly. Instacart Express members get free delivery on orders over $35. They also get:
- Lower service fees
- No peak hour delivery costs
- No delivery fee to shop at multiple stores
- No pick-up fee at applicable stores
Instacart is available in more cities throughout the United States. While Shipt is available in each state, it has a much smaller presence than Instacart.
But, if you want to earn rewards or use your store’s loyalty program, only Shipt offers this option. Any orders you make on Instacart won’t count and/or you can’t use your exclusive deals on Instacart.
If you’re looking for a one-off delivery service for a special occasion or because you can’t get out of the house, Instacart is more affordable with its delivery prices averaging $3.99 unless you shop during peak hours or have a large order.
Shipt FAQs
Does Shipt offer sale items?
Shipt has exclusive deals on its website or app. Just click the ‘Deals’ link to find the latest sales. They don’t always match the in-store sales.
Can you view your order history?
Yes, once you log into your account, you can view your order history and even reorder products to make it easy. This is great for products you buy regularly as it saves you time and hassle.
Do you need to meet the Shipt shopper at your door?
No, you can make note of where/how you want the order dropped off. Typically, the shopper rings the doorbell or texts you to let you know they arrived. But, you can make a note in your order to drop the order on your porch too.
Is Shipt owned by Target?
Yes, Target owns Shipt and even offers a free 4-week Shipt trial if you want to see how it works before committing to the $99 annual fee. You can use Shipt at a large variety of stores, though, not just Target.
Does Shipt accept coupons?
Shipt accepts digital coupons offered by each retailer. You apply the coupons by clicking on any available deals that you want to use. At this time, you can’t use manufacturer’s coupons or enter coupon codes on Shipt.
You can also link any loyalty programs you have at each store. This will apply any sales or applicable coupons. It also helps you accumulate points toward any rewards each store offers.
Is tipping required?
Tipping isn’t required but is recommended. You can tip your shoppers in cash or right in the app after the order is delivered. 100% of the tips go to the shoppers.
Can you pick up your order?
In some locations (and at select stores), you can pick up your order, but this isn’t available everywhere.
Is Shipt Worth It?
Should you sign up for Shipt for grocery delivery?
Think about how often you’d order groceries versus go to the store. If you’ll use the service regularly, it could be worth it. Yes, you pay a membership fee, but never have to step foot in a grocery store if you choose not to.
If you’ll use it only once in a while, or as a one-off service, though, you may want to consider just paying for the one-time delivery. Shipt will credit any Delivery Passes you prepay for to your account if you decide to sign up for membership down the road. This gives you time to try the service out and decide if it’s right for you.
