How to Use the Instacart App to Place Your First Order

Alright, so picture this: it’s a snowy Tuesday night in Toronto, you’re wiped from work, and the last thing you wanna do is trudge through Loblaws or Metro to grab groceries. That’s where Instacart comes in.

Instacart is basically your shortcut to groceries without leaving the couch. You hop on the app, pick your favourite store — could be Walmart, Costco, Sobeys, whatever’s nearby — and a shopper does the heavy lifting for you. No lineups, no dragging bags through slush, just a knock at your door with everything you ordered.

Across Canada, folks use Instacart for the convenience. Whether you’re in Vancouver (where traffic’s a gong show), Calgary (where the weather flips on a dime), or Montreal (bonjour, long checkout lines), it saves you time. You can even schedule deliveries so your groceries show up right when you need ’em.

This guide’s for anyone opening the app for the first time and thinking, “Okay, now what?” We’ll walk through every step — signing up, shopping, paying, tracking, even cancelling if you mess up your order — so by the end, you’ll feel like a total pro.

Download & Sign Up

First things first, you’ll need the app. Instacart’s available on both the App Store (iPhone) and Google Play (Android). Just type in “Instacart” and hit download. It’s free, no sketchy hidden costs just for having the app.

Once it’s installed, fire it up. You’ll get a simple welcome screen asking you to sign up or log in. If you’re brand new, tap “Sign Up.” You can roll with your email address, but honestly, most people in Canada just use their Google account or Apple ID — it’s quicker, and you don’t have to remember yet another password.

Next up, Instacart will ask for your postal code. This part matters. Why? Because it shows you which stores actually deliver to your area. If you’re in downtown Toronto, you’ll see a ton of options like Loblaws, Costco, and Metro. But if you’re living a bit more rural, you might get a smaller list. Either way, the app sorts it all for you.

Last quick step: Instacart may ask you to drop in your address. Don’t worry, you can add more than one later (handy if you’re ordering for your parents, or you split time between home and cottage).

And boom — that’s it. In less than five minutes, you’re officially set up and ready to shop.

Explore the App

So you’re signed up and staring at the Instacart home screen — now what? Think of it like walking into a giant digital grocery store, but way less overwhelming than pushing a cart through crowded aisles.

Right at the top, you’ll usually see a search bar. This is your best friend if you already know what you want. Craving ketchup chips? Punch it in. Need oat milk? Type it out, and Instacart will show you every brand available at stores near you.

Scroll down a bit and you’ll find a list of featured stores. Depending on where you live, this might be Walmart, Costco, Sobeys, Loblaws, or even smaller local gems. If you’re in Vancouver, you might see some organic or specialty spots pop up too (very West Coast, eh?).

Each store acts like its own mini shop inside the app. Tap one, and you’ll see categories laid out: Produce, Meat & Seafood, Pantry, Snacks, Household Essentials — pretty much the same setup as walking through a store but without the fluorescent lights buzzing over your head.

There’s also a “Deals” section, which is clutch if you’re trying to stretch your loonies. Instacart often highlights weekly sales or promos from your chosen store, just like a flyer, but digital.

Take a few minutes to click around. No pressure to buy yet — this step’s all about getting comfy with the layout. Once you know where everything lives, your next shop will be a breeze.

Add Items to Your Cart

Alright, here’s where the fun starts — actually shopping. No need to wrestle with a wobbly cart wheel or dodge folks blocking the aisle, eh?

When you’re in the app, you can either search directly (“butter tarts,” “KD,” or whatever’s on your list) or just browse categories like you would at the store. Once you spot what you want, just tap the little “+” button and boom — it’s in your cart.

Want more than one? Tap again or adjust the quantity right in your cart. Super slick.

Pro tip: if you’re picky about brands (like always grabbing Heinz over the no-name stuff), you can check product details before adding. The app usually shows different sizes, brands, and prices, so you’re not stuck guessing.

Another handy thing — you can build a favourites list. Let’s say you always buy the same oat milk or that one specific maple syrup brand. Add it to favourites, and next time, it’s just a tap away. Saves you from scrolling through a bunch of stuff you don’t care about.

Basically, think of your cart like a digital grocery basket. No heavy lifting, no cart jams, just easy clicking until you’ve got everything lined up for checkout. Easy peasy.

Review Your Cart

Okay, you’ve been tossing stuff into your cart like you’re cruising the aisles at No Frills on a Saturday. Before you head to checkout, it’s time to give everything a good once-over — kind of like double-checking your hockey gear before hitting the ice.

Tap on your cart in the top corner, and you’ll see the full lineup of what you’ve picked. Here’s where you can:

• Adjust quantities (grab 2 bags of chips instead of 1, eh?).
• Remove items if you got a bit click-happy.
• Check out the running total so you’re not blindsided later.

Now, here’s a key feature a lot of folks miss: substitutions. Let’s say you ordered a certain brand of cheddar, but your shopper finds the shelf empty. You’ve got options:

• Allow them to pick a similar item.
• Choose “don’t substitute” so they skip it.
• Or even add a note like “any cheddar’s fine, just not the no-name stuff.”

This step is clutch because it saves you from surprises at the door. Nobody wants to expect bacon and end up with turkey slices unless you’re cool with it.

So take a minute here, scroll through, and make sure everything looks right. Think of it as the final pit stop before rolling up to the till.

Choose Delivery or Pickup

Alright, now that your cart’s looking solid, it’s decision time: do you want someone to drop your groceries at the door, or are you down to swing by for a quick pickup?

Delivery is the go-to for most people. You pop in your address, pick a time window, and a shopper brings it right to you. You can even choose contactless delivery if you’d rather they just leave it at the door — handy if you’re in a condo downtown Toronto or you don’t feel like putting pants on.

Pickup is the other option. It works like this: you order through the app, drive to the store, park in the pickup zone, and hit the button in the app to say “I’m here.” Staff come out and load your groceries right into your trunk. Easy peasy, no wandering through aisles or waiting in line behind someone price-matching twenty items.

Now, heads up: delivery windows can get tight, especially during busy times like Sunday evenings or holidays. If you’re in Vancouver or Montreal, for example, you might see fewer same-day slots when everyone’s trying to stock up. Pro tip? Book early if you know when you’ll need stuff.

At this stage, think of it as choosing your adventure: kick back at home and wait, or do a quick drive-by pickup and be on your way. Either way, way less hassle than a full grocery run.

Payment

Okay, cart’s good, delivery or pickup’s locked in — time to settle up. Don’t worry, Instacart keeps it straightforward, not like wrestling with some old debit machine at Canadian Tire.

First up, you’ll need to add a payment method. Most folks just toss in a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex all work). You can also use a debit card if it’s set up for online payments, or even link your Apple Pay / Google Pay for that one-tap life.

Now, here’s the part a lot of people glance over: fees. Instacart adds a service fee, and if you’re going delivery, there’s usually a delivery fee too. Not huge, but it’s good to know ahead so you’re not caught off guard. Some stores waive fees if you spend a certain amount, and if you’re a regular, you might wanna check out Instacart+ (that’s their membership — free delivery over a certain spend).

And of course, there’s the tip. This one goes straight to the shopper who’s doing the heavy lifting — literally. You can set a custom tip, and in Canada, it’s pretty standard to leave 10–15%, just like you would at a restaurant. A couple extra loonies can go a long way, especially if they braved a snowstorm to get you your groceries.

Before you hit “Place Order,” take a sec to look over the breakdown: items, taxes, fees, tip. Once it all looks right, hit that green button and boom — you’ve officially ordered.

Track Your Order

Here’s the part where Instacart feels kinda fun — you get to watch your order in real time, like tracking a hockey game on TSN but with groceries.

Once you hit “Place Order,” the app shows a status screen. You’ll see updates like:

• Shopper Assigned – someone’s picked up your order.
• Shopping in Progress – they’re cruising the aisles, grabbing your stuff.
• Checkout – they’re paying at the till.
• On the Way – groceries are loaded and heading your direction.

What’s cool is that the app gives you live notifications. If your shopper can’t find something — maybe the store’s out of dill pickle chips — they’ll send you a message through the app. You can approve a suggested substitution or say “nah, skip it.” It’s almost like you’re shopping together, but without leaving your couch.

There’s even a little map view when your shopper’s on the road. So if you’re in a condo downtown, you can time it perfectly to buzz them in. Or if you’re out in the suburbs, you’ll know when to toss on shoes before they pull up.

Tracking isn’t just handy — it gives you peace of mind. You’ll never be left wondering, “Did they forget my order?” You can literally follow it from shelf to doorstep.

Delivery / Pickup

Here’s where the rubber hits the road — literally. Once your shopper’s wrapped up, it’s time to actually get those groceries into your hands.

Delivery:

If you picked delivery, you’ll get a ping when your shopper’s nearby. In Canada, you can choose between a contactless drop-off (they’ll leave it at your door, snap a pic, and you’re good) or a hand-off delivery if you wanna meet them at the door. Contactless is clutch if you’re in an apartment in Toronto or if you just don’t feel like small talk in your PJs.

Pickup:

If you went with pickup, you’ll drive over to the store during your chosen time slot. Park in the pickup zone (there’s usually signs out front). Then, open the app, tap “I’m here”, and just chill. A staff member will roll out with your bags and load them right into your trunk. No fuss, no lineup of folks price-matching at the till.

Couple of tips:

• If you’re doing delivery in winter, maybe leave a note like “please don’t leave it in the snowbank by the door.”
• For pickup, make sure you show up inside your time window. Stores can get busy, and if you’re late, you might have to wait a bit.

Whether you’re kicking back at home or doing a quick curbside grab, this is the easiest part. Groceries handled, no cart battles, no waiting in line behind someone writing a cheque (yep, still happens).

After Your Order

So the groceries are in your kitchen — mission accomplished. But there are still a couple of quick things worth doing in the app after delivery or pickup.

First up, you’ll see a rating screen. Instacart asks you to rate your shopper — usually a simple star system. If your shopper crushed it (found everything, kept you in the loop, showed up on time), tossing them a 5-star is a nice way to give them props. If something went sideways, you can note it here too. It helps Instacart keep things sharp.

Next, the tip adjustment. Sometimes you see the effort your shopper put in — like braving a snowstorm in Winnipeg or hauling heavy Costco flats up three flights of stairs. If you feel like bumping the tip after the fact, the app makes it easy. And yeah, folks do it all the time in Canada — it’s just good manners when someone goes the extra mile.

You can also save items from this order into your favourites. This part’s gold for future shops. If you know you’ll always want that specific almond milk or a certain brand of ketchup, saving it means it’s one tap away next time.

Basically, think of this step as wrapping things up. Rate, adjust, save — and you’re ready for round two whenever you need groceries again.

Cancelling an Order

Sometimes life throws a curveball — plans change, you forgot you already stocked up, or maybe you’re heading out of town. The good news? Yes, you can cancel an Instacart order. The catch? Timing matters, big time.

Here’s how it usually plays out in Canada:

• Before a shopper starts: If you cancel early (like right after placing the order), you’re in the clear. No fee, no stress, just a clean cancel.

• Once shopping has started: This is the tricky zone. If your shopper is already cruising the aisles at Sobeys or Costco, cancelling might cost you a cancellation fee. You’re basically bailing while they’re mid-shift.

• Last-minute or after checkout: If you try to cancel when the order’s basically done, Instacart may charge you partially or even the full amount. Brutal, but it makes sense — your shopper already did the work.

So yeah, you can cancel, but it’s best to do it ASAP if you have to.

To cancel, just hop into the app, find your order history, tap the order, and hit “Cancel Order.” If you’re stuck, you can always chat with Instacart customer support through the app — they’ll walk you through it.

Think twice before placing the order if you’re not 100% sure. Cancelling too late can ding your wallet, and nobody wants to pay for groceries they never even see.

Closing

And there you have it — your full crash course on using the Instacart app. From downloading it on your phone, filling up that digital cart, choosing between delivery or pickup, all the way to tracking, tipping, and even cancelling if you have to. It’s basically grocery shopping made Canadian-friendly: simple, flexible, and a real time-saver when life’s already busy enough.

Think about it: no more waiting in line at Metro when the Leafs game is about to start, no more trudging through slush in Vancouver just for a bag of milk, and no more Saturday morning chaos at Costco unless you’re actually into that kinda adventure. With Instacart, you set the pace.

Sure, there are little quirks — like delivery windows filling up fast or cancellation fees if you wait too long — but once you get the hang of it, it’s smooth sailing. A few taps on your phone, and boom, groceries show up right where you need them.

So whether you’re a first-timer looking to test it out, or someone who’s just sick of hauling a cart through crowded aisles, give it a go. Who knows? Instacart might just become your new go-to, saving you hours every week — time you can spend doing literally anything else.