A doorbell camera captured an Instacart delivery driver asking customers to increase her tip after leaving their groceries to wilt in direct sunlight, sparking fierce debate about gig economy service standards and tipping expectations.
Driver Confronts Customer Over Already-Set Tip
The 30-second video clip, posted on June 28, 2026, shows the delivery driver standing on the customer’s porch after completing the drop-off. She speaks directly to whoever answered the door, saying “Sweetheart, can you ask if somebody could put some extra on my tip? Could you ask somebody if they could put some extra on my tip?” The customer had already included a $12 tip when placing the order through the app. The driver remained on the property until she eventually left, though it remains unclear whether she received any additional payment.
Groceries Left in Summer Heat During Tip Request
What turned viewers against the driver was the footage showing grocery bags sitting in direct sunlight throughout her tip solicitation. Rather than placing the items in a shaded area of the porch, she left them exposed to the sun while making her request. Fresh produce and potentially perishable items baked in the heat as she stood nearby asking for more money. Multiple viewers pointed out this detail as inexcusable, with one commenter stating they would “zero that tip out in a heartbeat and report her to Instacart” specifically because of the sun-exposed groceries.
Gig Economy Pay Structure Adds Context
Instacart shoppers earn between $7 and $10 per batch before tips, according to Gigs Done Right. These workers handle shopping, packing, and delivery on a per-job basis, making tips a significant portion of their income. This pay structure creates financial pressure on drivers who depend on customer generosity to earn livable wages. However, doorbell tip requests are not part of Instacart’s official delivery process, and the company does not encourage or endorse in-person tip solicitation after drop-off. Instacart had not issued any public response to the viral video at the time of publication. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between service quality expectations and the economic realities facing gig workers in America’s changing labor market.
a 12 dollar tip for 2 packages seams like a good tip to me . Ring the door bell and move on !
She should have just hone herself or took Uber or ask a friend to just drop her off there. I don’t trust anyone coming to my home that I don’t know. I will always find a way .And I’m 75 and still drive sometime. I mainly walk majority of the tome.
If I ever start ordering food delivery, I’ll do it with Amazon because they don’t except tips. So no stress
I was not aware that the person who shops and bags an order also delivers it. And that Instacart shoppers only earn between $7 and $10 per batch before tips. Do they get gas money? It seens a person shouldn’t have to leave a tip before the service but then, who would want to do that job not knowing if there would be a tip. Some stores enable increasing the tip after the delivery. I am amazed anyone will do that time consuming thing for so little.
I would work it differently, I would ask never to sent her to my address again, PERIOD.