Hi,

The California legislature created some laws aimed at gig economies with their target ride share companies. If someone worked more X hours, then they would be an employee with all that comes with that.

There was a broader 'gig' economy than they expected, which included contractors, freelancers and consultants. What type of jobs were they doing? Marketers, writers (scripts, web content, ghost writing books), educators (who may teach for online schools), broadcasting (makeup, lettering, musicians) and a whole range of jobs they never considered. When this law came into effect, a lot people lost clients (gigs) because they were already at maximum annual hours.

Chowhound to LTHforum legacy are a lot of people who worked for themselves who treated this website as their virtual watercooler. Someplace to hang out and refresh, before they go back to work.

My friend who is doing instacart shopping had a thriving business evaporate with shelter at home. Once this passes and can resume her preferred gig, this in between job will go away.

Regards,
Cathy2

I have been super fortunate the last few weeks to skip using Instacart after signing up for their monthly program.

I do recall that each shop has a mention of whether prices are the same or not and I guess I have had good shoppers.

I generally use Prime Now and last night, for the first time ever, I placed a shopping order with Jewel directly. I wasn't in a hurry so they will deliver this evening in a four hour block for a scant $3.95. You also get all of the Jewel sale prices I understand.

So perhaps regular shopping could be diverted to your local store directly as a consideration to add to this Hodge podge of shopping from our devices.

Cheers,

I've had an unfortunate experience with Instacart recently. I've only ordered from them once, last January, although an order for delivery from Binny's was apparently delivered via Instacart on the 8th of this month. That order went well. But I was surprised a couple of days ago to find out my credit card had been charged over $400 for another order, which I never made. I called, and their rep insisted they hadn't been hacked, but apparently someone got all my credit card information, plus my Instacart user name and password, and used all that without my knowledge to place the order. I then got an email, looking like it came from Instacart, asking me for more personal information to "confirm" the order. Obviously, I didn't respond to that. Instacart said their security team would get in touch with me quickly, but that was a few days ago ... no one has contacted me. The credit card company cancelled that card and issued one with a new number, and assured me I wouldn't be responsible for the charge. Just one data point — YMMV.

nr706 wrote:I've had an unfortunate experience with Instacart recently. I've only ordered from them once, last January, although an order for delivery from Binny's was apparently delivered via Instacart on the 8th of this month. That order went well. But I was surprised a couple of days ago to find out my credit card had been charged over $400 for another order, which I never made. I called, and their rep insisted they hadn't been hacked, but apparently someone got all my credit card information, plus my Instacart user name and password, and used all that without my knowledge to place the order. I then got an email, looking like it came from Instacart, asking me for more personal information to "confirm" the order. Obviously, I didn't respond to that. Instacart said their security team would get in touch with me quickly, but that was a few days ago ... no one has contacted me. The credit card company cancelled that card and issued one with a new number, and assured me I wouldn't be responsible for the charge. Just one data point — YMMV.

That's awful. I use privacy.com for a lot of online purchases and you can decide if the card is used once and only once or if it has a limit tied to it. Also, some credit card companies offer a virtual credit card number and you may wish to consider that.

Where was the fictitious order delivered?

pairs4life wrote:Where was the fictitious order delivered?

I have no idea. One person said whoever placed the order subsequently cancelled it, but the credit card company still showed it on my account. I'm guessing that whoever's behind it, if they could get my Instacart user name and password, they could also get my home address which was used previously — but that's just a guess. Anyway, nothing from them ever arrived here.

Thanks for the privacy.com and other suggestions. I'll look into those.

Like lougord, I know someone who has severe health problems (in this case, heart, lung, and immune system) that has prevented them from leaving the house at all during these times. For someone in that situation, the type of service Instacart provides is a lifesaver.

For myself, not being in the same situation, although I've been tempted, I've refrained from using Instacart or any other grocery delivery service. I don't doubt they've had some customer service issues, but it seems to me that they're swamped enough as it is, having had to ramp up quickly to an unanticipated demand volume, and I just feel like I should let the people who really need them have access to them.

Our latest snafu was with our Costco order. Placed an order Friday am - two hour delivery, no issue. Everyone was home, we try to meet the drivers and give a friendly wave and a "thank you, have a good day" when we order. The Mariano's order came with no issues. The Costco order was en route. Wife followed the driver's status and came downstairs when they were a few minutes to arrival. Then she got the notification that the order was dropped off at our door, while she watched for the driver to pull up. 5 minutes later, still nothing. She stepped out side a few times, and looked at the neighbor's porches - nada. Not sure where that stuff was delivered, but it wasn't on our block. Neither of us were TOO worried. Costco customer service has pretty much never been an issue for us. We've already been credited, placed the order again, and it was delivered already.

I been buying from Costco for around 20 years or so. Its not around the corner so when I saw they were using instacart I looked into it. I was a little bit out of their delivery range at that time, but I knew prices could be higher. But what I saw going through the Instacart website was way too much on some items I usually buy. Just with the chicken I normally buy was around $60 higher. Which was ridiculous but I do buy quite a bit so not to go back very often. So I blasted Costco a few times when I called in and insulted them also online comments on their website. Told them it was a insult to members. Best to just charge whatever to deliver, not add to prices for members.

Not long ago they extended the area to me and I looked again. When I enter through the Costco website which of course I'm signed in, there is no delivery fee added. I checked the prices and they didn't seem much different on items I usually buy. They know I'm a member that way also. I'm not sure all prices are the same, just like they aren't if you buy from Costco.com on other items besides food verses the store. But I just didn't see much if any difference so I don't really have a problem using it if needed. The only added charge was the tip. So maybe its certain items, just haven't use it enough to know. Plus I don't much as much now from Costco, mostly because just got tired of driving there and buy huge amounts at one time. But certain items they have unbeatable prices.

The GP wrote:

Vitesse98 wrote:I've heard horror stories from friends trying to grocery shop while avoiding frazzled Instacart shoppers racing around unfamiliar spaces and searching shelves for stuff they can't find like they're on some crazy scavenger hunt.

I was at the Edgewater Mariano's one afternoon and I felt like I was the only one shopping for myself. Everyone else seemed to be staring at their phones and wandering around looking for whatever was on the list. Very difficult to maneuver around them.

Yeah, this is my biggest issue with them. The majority have no regard for others, don't follow safety protocols (6', face mask, etc), and just don't seem to know where they are going most of the time. I understand the necessity for some people, but I'd prefer more people shopping for themselves when I venture out to do it for myself.

As someone else said, it's more about speed and volume for them, so it is putting other people more at risk.