What is "INSTACART" on my bank statement?
INSTACART is a legitimate grocery delivery charge from Instacart for orders, fees, tips, or subscriptions.
Merchant: Instacart | Category: Grocery Delivery
What Is This Charge?
INSTACART is a charge from Instacart, a grocery delivery and pickup platform that partners with major retailers including Costco, Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, Publix, Sprouts, and many more. Instacart shoppers pick your groceries from the store and deliver them to your door. The charge covers your grocery items, delivery fee, service fee, any applicable tip, and optional priority delivery fees.
Why Does This Charge Appear on My Statement?
This charge appears when you place a grocery delivery or pickup order through the Instacart app or website. Unlike restaurant delivery apps, Instacart charges may differ from your initial order total because shoppers can make substitutions, items may be out of stock (reducing the total), or weighted items (like produce and meat) may cost slightly more or less than estimated. Instacart also charges separately for Instacart+ membership if you're subscribed.
Typical Charge Amounts
Instacart order totals typically range from $35 to $150+, depending on the size of your grocery order. The total includes item prices (which may be marked up 5-15% above in-store prices at some retailers), a delivery fee ($3.99-$7.99, or free with Instacart+), a service fee (typically 5%), applicable taxes, and your shopper tip. Instacart+ membership costs $9.99/month or $99/year.
Common Variations
Instacart charges may appear as INSTACART, INSTACART*STORENAME, INSTACART GROCERY, IC*STORENAME, INSTACART INC, or MAPLEBEAR INC (Instacart's legal corporate name). Some banks display the specific store name alongside Instacart, such as INSTACART*COSTCO or INSTACART*KROGER. Instacart+ subscription charges may appear as INSTACART*MEMBERSHIP.
Is This Charge Legitimate?
Open the Instacart app and check your order history, which shows every order with the store name, items, substitutions, fees, and final total. Pay special attention to substitutions your shopper made—these can change the total from what you expected. Instacart sends detailed receipt emails after each delivery with item-by-item breakdowns.
How to Dispute or Cancel
For order issues, open the Instacart app, go to your order history, select the order, and tap "Get Help." You can report missing items, wrong items, damaged goods, or quality problems. Instacart typically issues credits or refunds quickly. To adjust your tip after delivery, you can do so within 24 hours of delivery. To cancel Instacart+ membership, go to Account > Instacart+ and select "Cancel." Contact support through the app for unresolved billing issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Instacart charge different from the total I saw at checkout?
Instacart adjusts the final charge based on what actually happens during shopping. If items are out of stock and removed, the total decreases. If the shopper substitutes with a pricier item (which you approved), or weighted items like produce cost more than estimated, the total increases. Check your receipt in the app for the final item-by-item breakdown.
What is MAPLEBEAR INC on my bank statement?
Maplebear Inc. is the legal corporate name of Instacart. Some banks display the legal entity name rather than the trade name. A charge from MAPLEBEAR INC is an Instacart order. Check the Instacart app to see the specific order details.
Are Instacart prices the same as in-store prices?
It depends on the retailer. Some stores (like Costco, Aldi, and Sprouts) charge the same prices on Instacart as in-store. Others mark up prices 5-15% on Instacart to help cover the platform's commission. The Instacart app shows a notice if a store's online prices differ from in-store prices. Instacart+ doesn't affect item pricing.
How do I cancel my Instacart+ membership?
Open the Instacart app, tap your profile icon, select 'Instacart+,' and choose 'Cancel membership.' You'll keep benefits through the end of your billing cycle. If you're on a free trial, cancel before it ends to avoid the $9.99/month charge. Instacart+ is also bundled with some Chase and Mastercard credit cards at no extra cost.
My groceries arrived damaged or wrong. Can I get a refund?
Yes. In the Instacart app, go to your order, tap 'Get Help,' and select the specific items that were damaged, missing, or incorrect. Include photos if possible. Instacart typically processes credits or refunds within 24 hours. For persistent quality issues, contact Instacart support directly through the app's chat feature.
Similar Charges
- INSTACART
- INSTACART*STORENAME
- MAPLEBEAR INC
- IC*COSTCO
- INSTACART*MEMBERSHIP