What do Instacart workers & Costco members have in common?
We’re all fed up with the way Instacart is treating its workers...and we’re all calling on Costco to stand with workers in our demands.
Costco is a key partner for Instacart, making up 24% of their sales. And they enjoy their reputation as a top employer, in spite of letting Instacart mistreat the workers who deliver their groceries. Costco has the power to make Instacart listen to workers — get them to do right by their workers & raise the default tip, or #DeleteInstacart by ending their partnership.
Here’s why workers & customers are speaking out…
“Costco needs to step up and stand against unfair treatment of Instacart workers. As a Costco shopper, I want to know that everyone that works there will be treated with the same respect.”
- Anna, Instacart worker in Lilburn, GA
“As a former Costco employee, I implore you to take a stand against Instacart. I know what Costco stands for. I know that Costco takes care of their employees. Costco knows how to pay a livable wage and take care of their people, so why stay in business with a company who treats their labor force like crap? Costco doesn't advertise, but do you want your name twisted up with Instacart who is literally paying us shoppers pennies, and getting bad press?”
- Marilyn, Instacart worker & former Costco employee in Greenville, TX
“I need to renew my Costco membership. I love to do my Christmas shopping at your store because of all the fabulous items to choose from. Until you use your power with Instacart to make a positive change for its frontline workers, I refuse to renew.”
- Wendy, Instacart worker & Costco member in Ocala, FL
“Instacart has again lowered their rates and continues the unethical treatment of its workers. Please delete their services and stand with gig workers.”
- Michele, Instacart worker in Gretna, LA
“I worked for Costco for a year. Working at Costco was a great enjoyment as Costco truly cares about their employees and customers. So I ask you this: how are you ok with the way Instacart continues to mistreat the shoppers who bust their butts to provide the best grocery shopping and delivery services? Costco, please take a stand for these shoppers!”
- Armida, Costco member & former Costco employee, Mesa, AZ
“After working for Instacart and shopping at Costco for two years, I've come to know your workers. They are kind and speak highly about Costco and how your company takes care of them. The environment you've created for workers makes them want to give 1,000% everyday and it's all based on how you treat them.
On the contrary, you have partnered with a company that does the total opposite of what you do. How can you associate your brand with that? If you do, that means you condone Instacart's way of doing business and practices. When we shop at Costco, you benefit as well. I ask that you protect your brand, moral values by disconnecting yourself from a company that doesn't emulate your practices.”
- Mamikie, Instacart worker in Corona, CA
“We need a 10% default tip on all orders.”
- Shaunti, Instacart worker in Chicago, IL
“I know the values of Costco. The way shoppers are treated now is not consistent with Costco’s brand.”
- Patricia, Instacart worker in Fort Oglethorpe, GA
“I have been a member of Costco for probably 20 years now, and an executive member for the past 3 or 4 of those years. After being a stay-at-home mom long enough, I attempted to go back to work while the kids were in school. Instacart is the only job out there that I found could accommodate my children’s school schedules. I left, but I am still shocked that Costco still has contracts with them considering how shitty they treat their independent contractors.”
- Stacey, Costco member in Collegeville, PA
“Many times I've wondered if the actions against Instacart's contractors by Instacart would be seen by Costco's leaders as unethical, knowing how they value and treat their own workforce. Please don't let Instacart get away with the abusive practices they continue to impose on those who are breaking their backs delivering Costco orders for peanuts!”
- Rebecca, Instacart worker in West Valley City, UT
“Costco, I have been a very loyal customer of yours with membership since 2005. I love you for not only the way you treat your customers — I also have family who works for you and I know what an awesome employer you are. Please hold your partnerships to a higher standard than what we are seeing Instacart sink to. They are a disgrace and what they are doing is disgusting and not reflective of what I know the Costco brand to be.”
- Jeff, Costco member in Rio Linda, CA
“I got hurt and tore my hamstring carrying ten cases of Costco water. I was off work two months. Instacart didn’t care.”
- Michael, Instacart worker in Boulder Creek, CA
“I am tired of Instacart taking advantage of its shoppers.”
- Courtney, Instacart worker in Taylor, MI
“I have been an Instacart shopper for over a year and have had my pay cut multiple times, my tips stolen and feel taken advantage of and unappreciated. Please stand with our request.”
- Cammy, Instacart worker in Columbia, SC
“I have always held Costco up as an example of how a company can be both successful and ethical in its treatment of employees. Costco needs to use some leverage to get Instacart to institute fair conditions for its workers.”
- Meghan, Costco member in Seattle, WA
“Please support the people who are helping your business to be successful and keep growing.”
- Raquel, Costco member in Sun City, CA
“I love shopping Costco. I love my job. But the pay has become abusive, and default 5% tip is the major problem. I've developed physical injuries from dealing with the heavy lifting and stair climbing. In one year, my car has added 65,000 miles. I have to work 7 days a week, 10+ hours a day to make a decent living.”
- Andrea, Instacart worker in Phoenix, AZ
“Costco, you are endangering the positive perspective shoppers have of your worker policies by partnering with a company that does not value its workers.”
- Stacy, Instacart customer in Brooklyn, NY
“I love shopping for Instacart. I’m a 5-star shopper. Only now, I can’t afford to work there. Now, they’ve even taken away our incentives to represent Instacart and Costco well. Unfair, unjust, un-American, and definitely unappreciated. Please stand with us...because we care.”
- Traci, Instacart worker in San Francisco, CA
“Instacart is taking advantage of all us shoppers. And that needs to stop.”
- Emmanuel, Instacart worker in Maricopa, AZ
“I started shopping at your stores when it was called The Price Club. I have spent tens of thousands of dollars in your stores over the years and, from this day, unless things change for Instacart workers, I will not ever shop in your stores again. I hope that you make the right choice in this situation. You would never be where you are in life without the people that work in positions that you consider lower than yours.”
- Michelle, Costco member in Tucson, AZ
“It’s disheartening to me to see a company that I thought valued its employees be in connection with a company like Instacart.”
- Bobbie, Instacart worker in Corona, CA
“Since pay cuts last November, my income when shopping Costco has seen a dramatic pay decrease. Customers using the Costco platform to place orders that will be shopped and delivered by Instacart shoppers are discouraged from tipping, which is a large percentage of our income.”
- Anna, Instacart worker in Pomona, CA
“The continued decrease in pay and tips is appalling. We are basically running ourselves and our vehicles into the ground taking these orders that do not allow us one bit of profit. We are trying to survive. Yet again another company with billions makes more and more on those of us that do the work for them. Shameful.”
- Loric, Instacart worker in Ann Arbor, MI
“This is unfair. We bust our butts for 7 dollars from Instacart and little to no tips from the customers. It’s time for a change!”
- Reishelle, Instacart worker in Saint Paul, MN
“We work hard to give customers the best service. We want what's fair, no more, no less!”
- Lenia, Instacart worker in Granite Falls, NC
“With my boyfriend in the military and moving a lot, the freedom and flexibility I have working Instacart is a lifesaver. Things were great, until we started receiving pay cuts. Don't back down and let Instacart know that you will not stand for unfair treatment anymore!”
- Lacey, Instacart worker in Fulton, NY
“Tell Instacart to treat their workers the same way Costco treats their workers.”
- Gloria, Instacart customer in Monroe Township, NJ
“It’s a disgrace for people to be treated this way.”
- Lisa, Costco member in Prospect Park, PA
Hundreds of Instacart workers & customers, and Costco members, have made it clear: Costco doesn’t get to maintain its positive reputation for workers until it does right by the Instacart workers who deliver their orders.
Costco, it’s time to stand with Instacart workers. Use your power as an Instacart partner to get the company to treat its workers better & meet their simple demand: an increase in the default tip for customers from 5% to 10%. There’s no excuse to stand by while Instacart ignores its workers’ voices.