Instacart Shopper records “Call to Arms” on large orders without a tip

A TikToker that does Instacart deliveries recorded a “call to arms” for all Instacart shoppers – with a request to ignore large orders without a tip.

The video was posted to the platform on Feb. 3 by Connecticut-based creator James, one half of TikTok couple JamesandLeondra, and promises “health, wealth, love and happiness” on his channel.

The video begins with James sharing a hefty no-tip Instacart order in his car.

“Look at this shit,” James begins. “They want 43 articles. No tip. Good luck with it.”

@jamesandleondra This is a recurring issue that needs to be addressed. #instacartshopper #instacart #notipnoservice #dobetter #work#fyp #viral #struggleisreal ♬ Powerful cinematic orchestra [war] – Sin

He then explains, “This is a call to arms to all Instacart buyers. If you are an Instacart shopper, I encourage you to join all other Instacart shoppers.”

He went on to explain the situation by saying, “I’ve seen batch after batch with no tip. If someone orders something and doesn’t want to tip, I understand, I will take the order. But if someone orders 43 items without a tip… It’s six degrees outside, it’s a 10 mile round trip.”

“They want us to go to the store in 6 degree weather, pick up 43 items, bring them to their home, drop them off at the door, possibly ring the doorbell, wait for them to arrive in 6 degree weather at the door,” James continues.

He then angrily closes that report by saying, “They don’t want to tip.”

James then instructs his fellow Instacart shoppers, saying, “You see this without a tip, don’t take it. don’t take it Let them sit and sit and sit until they have to go to the store themselves… and don’t take orders without a tip. Not.”

Commentators came in to show James that there was already some sort of solidarity build up.

“I signed up today and it was batch after batch from multiple shops with next to no tip,” one claimed, “I signed off for the day. I know my worth.”

That got an approving “Amen, sister” from James.

“I got the woooooorst orders!!!!” another complained.

James replied: “I feel you! We find that Instacart has put together many more batches, created more 2 and 3 shop and delivers, and apparently paid less!!”

Another vowed: “I never take an order without a tip! I don’t do 106 items for $7.”

Even those unfamiliar with Instacart were stunned by James’ scenario.

“I’ve never used Instacart, but I can’t imagine asking someone to go to a store and grocery store for me without tipping. That’s crazy.”

“I wish there was an option where you can say you want to tip in cash,” one chimed in. “I want my driver to get 100% of the tip he deserves.”

While that sounds nice, one shopper pointed out, “But we wouldn’t see that before taking the order.”

One remarked, “I don’t tip, I tip afterwards, and I tip very well.”

But when someone replied: “I saw an order sit for over an hour this morning because there was no tip. We can’t risk them tipping later because most don’t,” and then marveled that the order read “96 items!”.

Finally, one commenter summed up James’ message in a succinct quip, sharing, “My motto is ‘no tip, no travel.'”

The Daily Dot contacted the creator via TikTok comment and Instacart via email.

We crawl the web so you don’t have to.

Sign up for the Daily Dot newsletter to get the best and worst of the web delivered to your inbox every day.