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Is Instacart a Scam?

instacart.comLegitimate Business
Risk Assessment
15%Risk Score
Low Risk

Summary

Instacart is a legitimate, publicly-traded grocery delivery service (NASDAQ: CART). The largest grocery delivery platform in North America partnering with 1,400+ retail banners.

Instacart is NOT a scam. It is a legitimate, publicly-traded grocery delivery company. The service is real and widely used.

Company Information

Parent Company
Maplebear Inc. (dba Instacart)
Founded
2012
Headquarters
San Francisco, CA
Stock
NASDAQ: CART
Employees
10,000+

Trust Indicators

Concerns

  • Prices often higher than in-storelow[source]
  • Service and delivery fees add uplow[source]
BBB Rating
A+
Trustpilot
1.5/5
BBB Complaints
1,800

💡 Recommendations

  • 1.Tip shoppers appropriately for good service
  • 2.Check order accuracy upon delivery
  • 3.Report missing/wrong items immediately for credit
  • 4.Compare prices to in-store before ordering

📚 Sources

Instacart Investor RelationsSEC EDGAR - Instacart FilingsNASDAQ Stock InfoBBB Business ProfileTrustpilot Reviews
Last updated: 2026-01-22

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only. Information may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Our assessments should not be the sole basis for financial, legal, or personal decisions. Always conduct your own research and due diligence.