Trying to get in touch with Instacart can feel like a real hassle, especially when you're dealing with common frustrations like incorrect charges or missing items, which pop up a lot on sites like the Better Business Bureau. Whether you need to contact them by phone, email, or through their social media on X (formerly Twitter) or Facebook, getting a straight answer shouldn't be so hard. It seems like everyone is posting their Instacart grocery hauls on TikTok these days, but nobody talks about what to do when that fancy cheese you ordered never shows up. Don't worry, we've sorted through the confusion to give you the best ways to reach them. You can always start at the official site, Visit Instacart, but here are the direct methods that actually work.
Different Ways to Contact Instacart
| Contact Method | Details & Availability | Best for... |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1 (888) 246-7822 (Available 24/7) | Urgent issues, complex billing errors, speaking to a human. |
| In-App/Live Chat | Accessible via the Help Center in the app or website. | Problems with a current or recent order (e.g., missing items). |
| help@instacart.com | Non-urgent issues, creating a paper trail. Response can be slow. | |
| Social Media | @Instacart on X/Twitter | Public complaints, getting a company's attention when other methods fail. |
Customer Support Channels
a. 📞 Phone Support
| Department | Phone Number | Hours (Timezone) |
|---|---|---|
| Main Customer Support | 1 (888) 246-7822 | 24/7 (EST) |
| Seniors Support Line | 1 (844) 981-3433 | 8 AM - 11 PM (EST) |
b. 📧 Email Support
| Purpose | Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| General Support | help@instacart.com | Expect an automated response first. Average real response time is 1–2 business days. |
c. 💬 Live Chat or Website Bot
Live chat is the primary support method for active orders. It's designed to solve problems fast.
- Where to access: In the Instacart app or on the website's Help Center.
- Steps to access: Go to your current order, tap 'Get Help', and select the issue. This will usually start a chat.
- Types of problems it handles: Missing items, wrong items, shopper location, delivery issues.
- If it escalates to humans: Yes, the bot will connect you to a live agent if it cannot resolve your issue.
d. 📱 In-App Support
This is the most efficient way to handle order-specific problems.
- Platform: iOS and Android.
- Steps to contact support:
- Open the app and tap the three horizontal lines to open the menu.
- Select 'Your Orders' and choose the relevant order.
- Tap 'Get Help' or 'Report an issue'.
- Follow the prompts to specify your problem.
⏱️ Estimated Response Times from Instacart
| Method | Expected Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Phone | 5–30 minutes (can be longer during peak hours) |
| 24–48 hours | |
| Chat | 2–15 minutes |
| App | 2–15 minutes |
🔍 Tips to Reach Support Faster from Instacart
- Use the in-app help for order issues. It's faster than calling for things like a missing bag of chips.
- Call during off-peak hours. Try early mornings (like 8 AM EST) or late evenings on weekdays to avoid long hold times.
- Have your info ready. Don't make them wait while you search for your order details.
Before You Call: What to Have Ready
Seriously, don't waste your time or the agent's. Before you even think about contacting them, make sure you have your order number and the email and phone number associated with your account ready to go. If your problem is about a specific delivery, also have a list of the specific items with issues (missing, wrong, damaged). Trust me, they will ask for it, and it's so much less frustrating if you have it on hand.
Where to Quickly Solve Problems with Instacart
Here's a quick guide to getting the right help without the runaround.
| If Your Problem Is... | The Best Contact Method Is... | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|
| A Missing or Damaged Item | In-App 'Report an Issue' | Do this immediately after delivery. It's mostly automated and you'll get a credit or refund within minutes. No need to talk to anyone. |
| An Incorrect Charge on Your Card | Phone Support (1-888-246-7822) | Phone agents have the most authority to investigate and reverse complex charges. Have the date and amount of the charge ready. |
| Your Shopper Was Unprofessional | In-App Rating & Feedback | After the order, you can rate the shopper and leave detailed comments. For serious issues, use the in-app chat to report it. |
| Can't Log In / Password Reset | Help Center (Self-Service) | This is way faster than contacting a human. Only call if the self-service tools on the website completely fail you. |
Additional Helpful Links for Instacart
For additional resources, check out the following links:
Frequently Asked Questions about Instacart Customer Service
Olivia Harper
Content Manager
Olivia Harper, a Content Manager with nine years of experience, creates user-focused guides on subscription services. Featured in Digital Consumer Reports, her work simplifies subscription terms and cancellations.
