Shipt Review: Make Money Delivering Groceries

What Is Shipt?

Shipt is a same-day delivery platform founded in 2014 by Bill Smith. Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, it operates as a subsidiary of Target. Customers order groceries, household essentials, and other merchandise from participating retailers, while independent contractors fulfill deliveries. According to Shipt, the company operates in over 5,000 U.S. cities, though it does not operate in Alaska, West Virginia, or Wyoming.

What Does It Offer?

Flexible Shopping and Delivery Work

The Shipt Shopper App is the central hub for scheduling your availability, claiming orders, and managing shopping and delivery. Start by choosing your local market, then select smaller areas, or zones, where you’re willing to work. For shopping orders, you select the customer’s items, communicate about substitutions, and deliver within the requested time frame.

Shipt has no minimum number of orders you must accept. This makes it appealing if you're looking for occasional extra income. That said, there is no guarantee orders will be available when you're free to deliver. 

Preferred Shopper Feature
Customers who give you a five-star rating can add you as a Preferred Shopper. This increases the likelihood that you will be matched with them again in the future. It's a great way to build strong customer relationships and could potentially lead to more income in the future. 

"Offer Pay", Tips And Bonuses

Shipt used to use a flat-rate + commission compensation model ($5 + 7.5% commission). However, it now uses a per-order rate known as "offer pay", which is based on your time and effort. You can also earn tips and qualify for additional earnings on some orders.  

As a shopper, you get to keep 100% of customer tips. According to Shipt, customers can add a tip at checkout, tip you in cash when you make a delivery, or add a tip once their order has been delivered via their Shipt account on the website or mobile app. 

Weekly Payments And Instant Pay

Shipt offers payment either weekly or daily through something called Instant Pay. You can opt for weekly direct deposits every Friday. This pay includes work you completed from the previous Monday through Sunday.

Instant Pay
If you're eligible, you may be able to get paid up to three times per day through Shipt's Instant Pay feature. To qualify, you must agree to Stripe Connect's terms and conditions (in app) and receive at least one successful weekly payout from Shipt. 

To qualify, you must agree to the Stripe Connect terms in the app and receive at least one successful weekly payout. Before withdrawing, check the app for current transfer fees and limits.

Shopper payments include offer pay and any customer tips credited to you. 

Are There Any Fees?

There are no fees to join Shipt as a personal shopper. However, you are responsible for covering all expenses that you'll incur, including maintaining your delivery vehicle (gas, insurance, maintenance). You'll need to budget for these expenses and make sure they don't exceed what you earn through Shipt.

You'll also need to report any Shipt earnings on your tax return, and you may need to pay income tax, depending on how much you earn. As a Shipt shopper, you are considered an independent contractor, so Shipt doesn't withhold taxes on your behalf. 

How Does Shipt Compare?

Perhaps the closest competitor to Shipt is Instacart, which also allows you to shop for and deliver groceries. Instacart pays per batch and factors in your distance traveled, item count, expected shopping time, tips, and potential promotions. DoorDash offers restaurant deliveries alongside grocery and retail Shop & Deliver orders, so it's worth considering if you want both shopping and pickup opportunities. 

Keep in mind that you don't necessarily have to decide between Shipt, DoorDash, and Instacart. In fact, one of the best ways to maximize your side-hustle income is to sign up for multiple gig apps. 

How Do I Open An Account?

You can sign up with Shipt by downloading the app and following the instructions. Before signing up, make sure you can fulfill the following requirements: 

• Be at least 18 years old 
• Have a valid mailing address
• Hold a valid U.S. driver’s license, SSN, and car insurance
• Have access to a reliable, operable vehicle
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds 
• Have a mobile phone (iPhone or Android) to access the app

Is It Safe And Secure?

Yes. Shipt is a legitimate delivery platform and should be considered safe to use. That said, remember that while working for Shipt, you will be driving around, delivering orders to customers  (aka strangers) homes, and lifting grocery orders, so take the necessary precautions.  

How Do I Contact Shipt?

Shoppers can reach out to Shipt Support 24/7 via in-app live chat or by calling 205-502-2500. If you have questions about your application, you can contact the Shopper Onboarding team by email at [email protected].

Is It Worth It?

Shipt is a top grocery delivery app, and if it's available in your area, it's definitely worth trying. I like the flexibility of no minimum order commitment, the Instant Pay feature, and the Preferred Customer feature, which may reward you for great service with repeat business. However, before you sign up with Shipt, take a close look at Instacart and DoorDash, as they may be more lucrative platforms in your area. Of course, if you're willing to work, you can always sign up for more than one app to minimize downtime and maximize earnings. 

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