The blogger in me from 5 years ago really wanted to title this post “are you down with the sickness” because using song lyrics as titles used to be my jam. But seriously, germs — they’re everywhere this year aren’t they? Is it like this every year? Maybe, but I feel like 99% of the people I know have battled more colds/flus/stomach bugs than normal. I thought we escaped it, as our trip to Disney coincided with a massive germ outbreak in our community (hospitals in our area have actually restricted visitors due to a huge flu outbreak).
With all that in mind, I consider myself pretty lucky that all I ended up with was what I will lovingly call “the crud.”
I also feel fortunate that David had a light Friday, so the entire weekend wasn’t wasted, which meant by 3:30ish the whole fam was in the backyard soaking up the almost 80 degree weather.
Everyone and their mom was out enjoying the sunshine, which gave us a lot of boats and fishermen to watch for entertainment.
We listened to music, roasted marshmallows, let the girls wander into the lake a bit, and didn’t head inside until the evening forced us to.
Saturday morning David was up and out early, having to work the entire day. I woke up feeling a little tired and rundown. I figured it was just the full week weighing on me, so the girls and I eased into the morning with breakfast and laundry.
However, they knew something was up when I suggested a morning movie.
About halfway through Atlantis, I admitted I felt rough. Since we had no food in the house and could not handle a trip to the grocery, I decided to try Instacart for the first time (that link will get both you and me $10 towards Instacart, but listen to my full experience first).
I chose my store (Whole Foods) and found shopping to be pretty easy. The ordering process was seamless and the time windows available for delivery were fast.
I found my personal shopper to be attentive to quality and I appreciated the text messages to alert me of unavailable products or swaps (for example, she said all the onions were huge, and asked if I still wanted 5 of them). So far so good.
The order arrived during the promised time frame- as I ordered and cold items still cold.
That’s when things went a little sour for me. First (totally my fault!) I forgot to add the chicken and cheese to my list. I usually double check my list at checkout and was miffed I made this big mistake.
Secondly, I felt a little duped that Instacart advertises your first delivery is FREE. Well, they did take off my delivery charge for it being my first experience with them (which might have been about $5?), but they still charged me the service fee of $13.50.
Third, my shopper and delivery lady did a good job and since I couldn’t find a definite answer online to whether or not you are supposed to tip, I handed her $12 in cash after the delivery.
Therefore I feel like I paid an extra $25 dollars and to me, it did not feel worth it. I probably should have called Jimmy Johns to bring us sandwiches for lunch and waited it out.
At least I avoided going out because by noon, I was headed in the wrong direction.
I’m grateful the girls gave me 2 hours of quiet play while I crawled into bed.
Then I set them up on the couch with movies as my fever peaked at 104. Hailey (bless her sweet little heart) kept checking on me and filling up my water. I think the girls now want me to be sick all the time- getting to play nurse and watch TV? I’m pretty sure it rivaled their trip to Disney World as the best moment of 2017.
Luckily David was home in time to do dinner and bath while I continued to binge watch This Is Us (I get it now y’all, what a wonderful show!) and pop garlic.
Sunday I laid low and blew air kisses to David who didn’t let me lift a finger. I’m feeling better today and though I hated missing a weekend, I’m grateful to have had David around so I could completely R&R.
I hope you had a more fulfilling weekend than I did!
Have the germs invaded your house this winter?
Have you tried Instacart?
Thoughts?
Jodi S says
I used it at Disney and loved coming into our rental w groceries already in the fridge. I got the fee saved for first time user and overall had a good experience. I had mini bagels in my list and publix was out of the flavor I wanted so I said it was fine to get regular sized bagels. Not thinking they’d give me two packages since there aren’t as many in a big bagel bag as a mini bagel bag. That was probably her only mistake. I did realize there was a service fee/tip. So I didn’t mind it so much bc I appreciated not having to do it ( and weren’t there at delivery so I knew I could physically hand them a tip) i honestly get sweaty palms when give to drive I 77, so the $13 for me ( minor thr mistaken extra cash you gave her…;) might be worth my gas down there, my disdain of I77 and my time shopping. That being said, I cancelled it for here bc I actually really enjoy going to the grocery store. I would totally use it again for a situation like yours tho or if I just physically was desperate on time. Sorry you got sick tho!! I am a complete germaphobe right now and I am usually so whatever about it.
Brittany Dixon says
Ok, so fill me in- everywhere I read said to tip additionally? And even after I checked out it said “review order and tip” so it seemed to me that you pay the service charge and tip? Did I do it wrong? Did I double pay?
PS- I’ll keep my distance from you for another day just to be sure we don’t spread anything π
Jodi S says
Hmmm, I’m not sure. When I ordered I made it clear they would be left up front w registration bc we wouldn’t be there yet. So maybe we stiffed her? I figured the service fee that we normally would have been charged that was waved was the fee and the fee we paid on our credit card was the tip… hmmmm
Kim says
They recently changed the policy, which is probably why you saw conflicting info (it was outdated), but the service charge is actually the tip.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh man, well then I wasted an extra $12 – ha! Oh well, maybe it made her day π
montessoriishmom says
It really does seem like everyone’s been sick this year! I hope you feel better.
I’ve used Instacart a couple of times when we were traveling on the weekend and didn’t have time to grocery shop. I agree though, between the fees and the slightly higher prices on everything, it’s really not worth it unless it’s an emergency.
John J. says
Glad you’re feeling better and back to your peppy self!
Nikki says
No but I definitely won’t after your review! I hate sneaky companies like that! Thanks for the warning!
Alaina says
I live in DC and therefore use instacart regularly, and the trick is when you review your order, you can adjust the service charge on the right side of the screen (or waive it completely) and then you can choose to tip or not.
Also, at least in DC, a different person shops and delivers – so if you tip the delivery person in cash, that doesn’t go to the shopper at all. But I think in smaller cities, the same person may do both. (There is a team of instacart shoppers who stays at whole foods 24/7 here, and then drivers come and pick up the orders)
It’s confusing!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh that is so interesting! I definitely should have done more research first. I will definitely look at that if I use it again. Thank you!
Alaina says
Yes it’s super confusing, and they aren’t clear about it, and they change the rules all the time. To be honest, I don’t really like Instacart – but it’s the only option that delivers from Whole Foods in my area and going to get groceries just isn’t convenient in the city + working long hours, so I deal with it. I am considering trying Amazon Fresh soon. Instacart often does terribly picking out produce (although they always happily refund you) so we’ll see if Amazon Fresh is better!
Heather says
The stomach bug went through our house this past week (thankfully my son and I avoided it), but it seems like everyone is coming down with something. I unfortunately live in an area that is outside of most delivery areas so I’ve wondered about Instacart, but never been able to use it. From what I saw online, tipping is optional, but should be done as the service charge doesn’t go to the shopper. So for me all of the extra costs don’t really seem worth it unless I physically couldn’t leave the house and we had no food. Haha.
Courtney says
Ugh! So sorry you are sick, it really seems to be spreading like crazy this year! I’m heading to the pediatrician with my 5 month old AGAIN who in the past three weeks has had croup, RSV, and now a 103.2 fever π€. Feel better!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh no, I always hope it’s me that is sick instead of my kids! It’s so tough to see them when they don’t feel well. Sending prayers and well wishes to your sweet baby. <3
Sarah Simon says
I clicked through to instacart but of course they aren’t in my area yet. As a working mom I’ve been trying to find something like this but living in the country leaves you with little options! Sad day. Glad you were able to rest! And with a fever that high I say you had the flu but fought it off quickly!! Hope today you are feeling better and that your girls avoid it.
Kathy says
Glad you are feeling better!!!
Heather says
Ugh, so sorry that you are sick. It almost seems unavoidable this year. So glad that you are feeling better though! I just started This is Us and have watched two episodes. So far, so good!
Annie says
What a yucky weekend! We’ve all had colds at our house but nothing worse thankfully! Instacart looks great when in a pinch like that but I enjoy the grocery store and picking everything out myself!
Lauren @ Oh Hey! I Like That! says
You poor thing! Everyone seems to be getting hit with the sickness! Keep resting as much as you can!
Erin says
The service charge is NOT the tip, it actually goes mostly to Instacart. You can waive the service charge (choose $0) and opt to tip instead. That way the driver gets the tip, not Instacart.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh interesting! You would think instacart would be more clear on this since there seems to be conflicting opinions. Thanks for the info!
Nikki says
Glad you a feeling better! Random question, would you recommend your thermometer? If so, do you use it for yourself and the kids? We have one that takes temperature from the ear, and I hate it (it seems so inaccurate and hard to use)! Thanks!
Brittany Dixon says
I don’t think the one I have is THE most accurate, but it always seems to be correct within a few tenths of a degree. However it’s worked really well for us because it’s quick and easy so I love it!
Carole says
Both my kids (3 and 1) have been sick for the last 2 weeks and I am now getting sick too….I’ve been using Amazon fresh and really like it. They’ve been always on time (except once where they never showed up!?!!). They carry lots of organic produce and items and I love not to have to carry heavy stuff with little ones. I should do it more often but I am one of these people that love to go grocery shopping so I don’t do it enough. The down side is that you have to have Prime membership ($100/year) and pay $14.95/ month to use Amazon fresh. But to me it is worth because I get diapers and wipers deliver to my porch as well! And shopping is so much easier online anyway.
Brittany Dixon says
I’m sorry you’ve been dealing with so many germs- it seems no one has been able to escape it! I’m like you and like to grocery shop myself, but I will look into Amazon next time I’m in a pinch. I remember looking at it one time and it wasn’t in my area, but neither was instacart then, so maybe they’ve expanded as well. Thanks! Hope y’all feel better soon!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
I’m sorry you had such a high fever! I’m glad you’re starting to feel better now. I had some sort of bug that caused me to throw up every meal 2 weeks ago but it only lasted about 1.5 days and I never had a fever. So weird! I’ve never heard of instacart but anything that adds money to my grocery bills would be a no go for me. I already spend so much of our budget on food. π
Brittany Dixon says
Oh man, stomach bugs are the worst in my opinion. Fevers suck, my stomach bugs are just awful. So glad you are feeling better now!
Julia @ Drops of Jules says
This has been a very sick season for myself and my loved ones as well, so youβre not alone in this! I so appreciate your honesty in the review. I hate those random charges they throw in right at the very end. Not my jam. It just seems sneaky.
Random sidenote: Iβm over here in San Diego wearing a parka and four layers underneath it because of the torrential rain pour we have. Did you steal our gorgeous weather? π 80 degrees my goodness! Itβs 43 over here!
Maria says
Haha. I read the title very quickly at first and thought it said I’m Sick of Tired of Using Instacart!
Ugh. Tipping is so hard. I wouldn’t mind paying more for a service (in turn the employee makes more money) if tipping were already included in the sales price. It’s just so arbitrary. We use Uber a lot and were always told it included tip and now I hear it does not and it really takes the convenience out of the service. I never carry cash or pay for anything in cash, so it’s frustrating.
I tried instatcart once and they did a horrible job picking out produce, so I never used them again. I can see where they are nice in a pinch though. Glad you are feeling better!!
Jen says
Our family was definitely knocked down my germs this winter, too! We actually had to miss Christmas with my parents because my stepdad had something pretty bad, then when he felt better we celebrated at their place and then my daughter went over again to play for the day, and within a few days both she had my mom had what my stepdad had, even though we thought we avoided it. She’s Kaitlyn’s age it’s the sickest I’ve ever seen her. As soon as she started to get better, my husband and I both got it, then his turned into a sinus infection. It was a long month!