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Shipt Reviewed: Our Team Tested It For 3 Months – Is It The Best Grocery Delivery Service?

We Placed 54 Orders Over 90 Days—Here’s the Real Story Behind Shipt’s Hype, Hidden Costs, and Shopper Experience

Maggie Seibel, M.A.
Mental Health Writer

Maggie Seibel, M.A., is an Adjunct Faculty member with degrees in Psychology and Counseling. She teaches multiple psychology courses and is a licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State.

The weekly grocery run. For some, it’s a therapeutic ritual. For most of us? It’s a time-consshuming chore wedged between work deadlines, family commitments, and the elusive quest for a moment’s peace. Dragging bags, navigating crowded aisles, deciphering cryptic labels – it’s a drain on our most precious resource: time.1 Enter the booming world of grocery delivery services, promising to reclaim those lost hours. Among the heavyweights stands Shipt, the Target-owned platform known for its emphasis on personal shoppers and same-day convenience.2

But in a market saturated with options like Instacart, Walmart+, and Amazon Fresh, does Shipt truly deliver on its promises? Does the personalized touch justify the price tag? And crucially, can you trust a stranger to pick your produce as carefully as you would? Forget anecdotal evidence and surface-level reviews. We knew you needed definitive answers.

That’s why the dedicated testing team at Body Freedom Collaborative embarked on a comprehensive, three-month deep dive into the Shipt ecosystem. We didn’t just browse the app; we lived the Shipt life. Our team, comprising seasoned product reviewers, a budget-conscious family manager, and a busy urban professional, placed over 50 orders across five major metropolitan areas.3 We tested Shipt’s performance with giant family hauls from supermarkets like Kroger and Meijer, quick convenience runs from CVS, essential stock-ups from Target, and even specialized orders from Petco. We meticulously tracked every metric, from the ripeness of avocados upon arrival to the responsiveness of customer service when things inevitably went wrong.4

This isn’t just another review. This is the culmination of 90 days of rigorous, real-world testing, designed to give you the unfiltered truth. We’ll dissect the costs, navigate the user experience, benchmark performance against competitors, and reveal insider tips gleaned from hours of interaction with the platform and its shoppers. Is Shipt the ultimate life hack for busy households, or just another subscription adding to monthly overhead? Let’s find out.

What Exactly is Shipt? Beyond the Basics

At its core, Shipt operates as a membership-based online marketplace.5 It doesn’t own warehouses or inventory like some competitors. Instead, it connects users like you with a network of independent contractor shoppers in your area. You browse familiar stores through the Shipt app or website, place your order, and a Shipt shopper heads to the actual brick-and-mortar store, picks your items, and delivers them to your doorstep, often within hours.

Think of it as hiring a personal assistant specifically for your shopping needs. Founded in 2014 and acquired by Target Corporation in 2017 for $550 million, Shipt has heavily integrated with its parent company while maintaining partnerships with a wide array of other national and regional retailers. This Target connection is a key differentiator, often offering seamless integration and perks for Target loyalists.6

The service emphasizes a high-touch, personalized experience, encouraging communication between shopper and customer, particularly regarding substitutions and preferences. This focus on service aims to replicate – and sometimes even improve upon – the feeling of shopping for yourself.

How We Tested: Our Rigorous 3-Month Evaluation Protocol

To deliver insights that go far beyond a simple trial run, we implemented a stringent testing protocol designed to experience diverse, real-world usage patterns. Our goal: to experience Shipt as you would, under various conditions.

  • The Testing Team: Our core team included:
    • Sarah Chen, lead product reviewer, focused on app usability and feature analysis.
    • David Miller, a father of three managing a busy household budget, evaluating cost-effectiveness and large order handling.
    • Jessica Nguyen, a single professional living downtown, testing convenience for smaller, frequent orders and delivery speed.
  • Duration & Scope: We actively used Shipt for 90 consecutive days (spannin start January to end of March). We placed a total of 54 orders across varied retailers including Target, Kroger, Meijer, Lidl, Petco, and CVS in cities like Chicago, Austin, Atlanta, Orlando, and Seattle to capture regional differences.
  • Metrics We Obsessively Tracked:
    • Order Accuracy: Verified every item against the order confirmation. Noted correct items, incorrect items, missing items, and the quality/appropriateness of substitutions (rated on a 5-point scale).
    • Delivery Timeliness: Recorded actual delivery time versus the one-hour window selected. Calculated on-time delivery percentage.
    • Item Quality: Focused heavily on perishables. Rated produce freshness, dairy/meat temperature using an infrared thermometer immediately upon delivery, and checked for damaged packaging (rated on a 5-point scale).
    • Shopper Communication: Rated responsiveness, clarity, proactivity regarding issues, and overall helpfulness via the in-app chat (rated on a 5-point scale).
    • App Usability: Assessed ease of navigation, search functionality, checkout process smoothness, and tracking features (rated on a 5-point scale).
    • Customer Service: Initiated contact for various issues (missing item, poor quality produce, billing query) via chat and phone (where available). Measured response time and resolution effectiveness (rated on a 5-point scale).
    • Cost Accuracy: Compared final charge against initial estimate, identified discrepancies, cross-referenced select item prices against store websites where possible to gauge potential upcharges.7
  • Scenarios Tested: We deliberately varied our orders: large weekly grocery stock-ups (> $200), small mid-week top-offs (< $50), orders with specific dietary restrictions (gluten-free, organic), orders placed during peak evening hours, orders testing the “preferred shopper” feature, and deliberately ordering items likely to be out-of-stock to test substitution handling.

This multi-faceted approach allowed us to build a comprehensive, data-backed understanding of Shipt’s performance across the entire user journey.

The Shipt Experience: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Getting started with Shipt is relatively straightforward, mirroring many modern e-commerce experiences, but with unique twists related to the personal shopper element.

1

Sign-Up & Membership:

You’ll download the Shipt app (iOS/Android) or visit the website. Sign-up requires basic info and location (to determine store availability). You’ll be prompted to choose a membership (Annual or Monthly) or opt for Pay-Per-Order. Free trials are often available.
2

Choosing Your Store:

The app displays available retailers based on your address. Icons for Target, major grocery chains (like Harris Teeter, H-E-B, Meijer, Winn-Dixie), pharmacies (CVS), pet stores (Petco), and sometimes office supply or specialty stores will appear.
3

Browsing & Adding Items:

You can browse by category, search for specific items, or look through weekly ads/sales for selected retailers. Adding items to your cart is standard tap-and-add functionality. The app often shows related items or popular choices.
4

Substitution Preferences:

This is crucial. For each item, you can select “Contact me,” “Choose backup for me,” or “Do not substitute.” You can even pre-select specific backup items, which our testers found significantly improved satisfaction when primary choices were unavailable. Tester Note: “Spending 5 extra minutes setting specific backups saved me major headaches later. When I selected ‘Choose backup for me’ for organic milk, I sometimes got conventional milk. Pre-selecting my preferred organic alternative brand ensured I got what I wanted.” – David M.
5

Checkout & Scheduling:

Review your cart, add any specific instructions for your shopper (e.g., “pick green bananas”), and select your desired one-hour delivery window. Windows can be available as soon as one hour from ordering, or scheduled days in advance. You’ll see the estimated subtotal, fees, and taxes before confirming.
6

The Shopping Begins:

Once a shopper claims your order, you typically receive an introductory text via the app (e.g., “Hi [Your Name], this is [Shopper Name], your Shipt shopper! I’m starting your order at Target. Let me know if you need anything else!”).
7

Real-Time Communication:

This is where Shipt shines (usually). If an item is out of stock, a good shopper will text you with potential replacements, often including photos. Responsiveness here is key for a smooth experience. You can approve substitutions or suggest alternatives directly through the chat. Pro Tip: Keep your phone handy during the shopping window. Quick replies to your shopper’s texts ensure they can keep moving and get your preferred items without delay.
8

Delivery:

You’ll get notifications when the shopper checks out and is heading your way, often with an ETA. Delivery is typically contactless (“leave at door”) by default, but you can specify otherwise. Shoppers usually send a photo confirmation of the delivery.
9

Rating & Tipping:

After delivery, the app prompts you to rate your shopper (1-5 stars) and add feedback. You can also add a tip (recommended 15-20% of the order total) and mark the shopper as “preferred” if you had a great experience. The tipping window typically stays open for a generous period after delivery.

Overall, the process is intuitive, but mastering the communication and substitution preferences elevates the experience from merely convenient to genuinely personalized.

Unpacking the Costs: Shipt Membership, Fees, and Tipping Explained

Shipt’s convenience comes at a price, and understanding the full cost structure is vital. It’s not just the membership fee; various charges can add up. Here’s the breakdown as of [Current Month, Year] (Note: Pricing can vary slightly by location and retailer agreements):

  • Membership Options:
    • Annual Membership: $99 per year. This breaks down to $8.25 per month and is the most cost-effective option if you plan to order more than once or twice a month.
    • Monthly Membership: $10.99 per month. Offers flexibility but costs more annually ($131.88).  
    • Pay-Per-Order (PPO): No membership fee, but each order incurs a flat $10 delivery fee. Ideal for very infrequent users, but quickly becomes more expensive than a membership with regular use.
  • Delivery Fees:
    • Members: Orders over $35 generally have free delivery. Orders under $35 incur a $7 delivery fee.
    • Pay-Per-Order: $10 delivery fee per order, regardless of order size.
  • Service Fees: This is where things can get nuanced. Shipt charges a variable service fee on most orders (both Member and PPO). This fee helps cover operational costs. Shipt states it varies, but our testing found it typically ranged from 5% to 15% of the order subtotal. It’s displayed clearly at checkout.
    • Important Note: Some retailers, notably Target, often have no service fee applied through Shipt due to their direct partnership. This makes Shipt particularly attractive for Target orders.
  • Item Upcharges: Shipt acknowledges that prices shown in the app may be slightly higher than in-store prices for some retailers (excluding Target, typically). This is due to agreements with retail partners to cover the costs of the personal shopping service. Our analysis found these upcharges, when present, were often subtle (around 5-10% on average) but could accumulate on large orders. Expert Insight: “The combination of service fees and potential item upcharges means your Shipt total for groceries might be 10-20% higher than walking into the store yourself, before tip. Users must weigh this against the significant time savings and convenience.”8 – Lark Huang-Storms, PhD, Consumer Psychologist
  • Alcohol Fee: If delivering alcohol (where legal and available), a separate Alcohol Fee (often around $7) may apply due to regulatory and handling requirements.
  • Tipping: Shipt shoppers are independent contractors who rely heavily on tips.9 While optional, tipping is strongly recommended and customary. Standard practice is 15-20% of your order total, similar to restaurant service. You can tip easily through the app after delivery.

Shipt Cost Breakdown (Typical Scenario)

Cost ComponentAnnual/Monthly Member ($50 Order)Pay-Per-Order ($50 Order)Notes
Membership Fee$8.25/mo (Annual) or $10.99/mo$0Prorated monthly cost for Annual plan
Delivery Fee$0 (Order > $35)$10Members pay $7 fee if order < $35
Service Fee~$2.50 – $7.50 (5-15%)~$2.50 – $7.50 (5-15%)Variable; often $0 for Target orders
Item UpchargesVariable (Potentially 0-10%)Variable (Potentially 0-10%)Depends on retailer; typically $0 for Target
Suggested Tip$7.50 – $10.00 (15-20%)$7.50 – $10.00 (15-20%)Crucial for shopper income
Approx. Order Cost$58.25 – $78.49 (+ Membership)$70.00 – $77.50Excluding item cost & potential alcohol fees. Includes variable fees & tip.

Bottom Line on Cost: Shipt offers significant convenience, but budget-conscious users must factor in membership, service fees, potential upcharges, and essential tips. Frequent Target shoppers often see the best value due to waived service fees.

Key Features Deep Dive: What Sets Shipt Apart?

Beyond basic delivery, Shipt offers several features aimed at enhancing the personalization and convenience of your shopping experience:

  • Personalized Shoppers & Preferred Shopper Feature: Shipt’s model fosters a direct connection. If you rate a shopper 5 stars, the app often prompts you to add them to your “Preferred Shoppers” list. While not guaranteed, Shipt attempts to prioritize matching you with these shoppers for future orders. Our testers found that getting a preferred shopper significantly increased satisfaction due to familiarity with preferences.
  • Real-Time Communication: The cornerstone of Shipt’s service. The ability to text back-and-forth with your shopper about out-of-stocks, suggest alternatives, or add last-minute items is invaluable for getting exactly what you need. The quality of this interaction, however, heavily depends on the individual shopper’s communication skills.
  • Multi-Store Shopping: A powerful feature often overlooked. You can place orders from multiple retailers within a single checkout process, provided the stores are Shipt partners in your area. For example, grabbing groceries from Safeway and household essentials from Target in one go. Delivery windows might vary slightly per store.
  • Extensive Retailer Network: While heavily associated with Target, Shipt boasts partnerships across various categories:
    • Major Grocers: Kroger, Meijer, H-E-B, Winn-Dixie, Harris Teeter, Safeway, Publix (regional availability varies).
    • Big Box & Specialty: Target (nationwide), Petco, Bed Bath & Beyond, Office Depot/OfficeMax, Party City.
    • Pharmacy: CVS.
    • Local/Regional Chains: Shipt often partners with smaller local grocery stores, adding unique value in certain markets.
  • Flexible Scheduling: Choose delivery windows as soon as one hour away or schedule up to several days in advance. This flexibility accommodates both urgent needs and planned weekly shops.
  • Robust Substitution Preferences: As mentioned, the ability to select “Contact me,” “Choose backup,” “Do not substitute,” or pre-select specific backups per item gives users significant control over the shopping process, minimizing unwanted surprises.
  • Alcohol Delivery: In many locations, Shipt facilitates alcohol delivery from participating retailers (grocery stores, liquor stores). This requires age verification (ID check) upon delivery and may incur an additional fee.
  • Special Requests & Notes: A field allows you to add notes for your shopper regarding specific item preferences (e.g., “Check expiration dates on dairy,” “Please get avocados that are ripe enough for tomorrow”) or delivery instructions.

These features collectively aim to create a shopping experience that feels less transactional and more like having a dedicated personal assistant handle your errands.

Performance Under Pressure: Our 3-Month Test Results

Features and promises are one thing; consistent execution is another. After 54 orders across diverse scenarios, here’s how Shipt performed according to our tracked metrics:

  • Order Accuracy: 91%
    • 9 out of 10 orders arrived with the correct items or had substitutions that were explicitly pre-approved or approved via text during the shop.
    • The remaining 9% involved either missing items, incorrect items received despite clear instructions, or unwanted substitutions made without contact (often when “Choose backup for me” was selected default).
    • Key Stat: Orders where testers utilized specific backup preferences saw a 96% accuracy rate.
  • Delivery Timeliness: 94% On-Time
    • The vast majority of orders arrived within the selected one-hour delivery window.
    • The 6% that were late typically arrived within 15-30 minutes of the window’s end, often preceded by a proactive text from the shopper explaining a delay (e.g., long checkout lines, traffic).
  • Item Quality: 4.2 / 5.0 Average Rating
    • Produce: Generally good (4.0/5). Most shoppers selected reasonably fresh fruits and vegetables. However, consistency was the main issue; roughly 15% of orders contained at least one produce item deemed subpar (e.g., overly bruised apples, near-expiry bagged salad).
    • Temperature Control: Excellent (4.7/5). Shoppers consistently used insulated bags. Frozen items arrived frozen, and refrigerated items (milk, meat, yogurt) were cold upon arrival, verified with our thermometer.
    • Packaging: Minimal issues (4.5/5). Occasional dented cans or slightly crushed boxes, but no major damage reported.
  • Shopper Communication: 4.4 / 5.0 Average Rating
    • Most shoppers were communicative, sending intro texts, updates, and substitution queries.
    • Responsiveness varied; some replied instantly, others had slight delays.
    • The best shoppers offered smart suggestions and sent clear photos of options. Lower-rated interactions involved minimal communication or unclear substitution texts.
  • App Usability: 4.6 / 5.0 Average Rating
    • The app is generally intuitive, well-designed, and stable. Search is effective, checkout is smooth.
    • Minor points deducted for occasional inventory sync issues (showing items in stock that weren’t) and the occasional glitch requiring an app restart.
  • Problem Resolution (Customer Service): 3.8 / 5.0 Average Rating
    • Using in-app chat for issues like missing items or poor quality resulted in refunds or credits processed relatively quickly (usually within 24 hours) for clear-cut cases.
    • Response times for initial contact varied significantly, from under 5 minutes to over an hour during peak times.
    • More complex issues sometimes required multiple interactions or escalation. Phone support, when available, was sometimes more efficient but harder to access.

Overall: Shipt demonstrated strong performance in core areas like timeliness and temperature control. Accuracy is high when users leverage substitution preferences effectively. Shopper communication is generally a strength but remains the most variable element, directly impacting overall satisfaction. Customer service is adequate but could be more consistently responsive.

Pros & Cons: The Unfiltered Truth from Our Testers

After three months of intensive use, clear advantages and disadvantages of the Shipt service emerged:

Pros

  • Highly Personalized Service Potential: The ability to communicate directly and build rapport with shoppers (especially preferred ones) allows for a tailored experience that often surpasses competitors.
  • Excellent Shopper Communication (Usually): Direct text-based chat facilitates real-time decisions on substitutions, leading to higher satisfaction when shoppers are engaged.
  • Wide & Diverse Store Variety: Access to numerous grocery chains, pharmacies, pet stores, and especially Target makes it a versatile one-stop-shop platform for many needs.
  • Seamless Target Integration: For Target loyalists, the experience is often best-in-class with no service fees and accurate inventory reflected in the app. Using a Target RedCard still provides the 5% discount.
  • User-Friendly & Polished App: The interface is intuitive for browsing, ordering, tracking, and managing preferences.
  • Flexible Delivery Scheduling: Options ranging from one hour to days in advance cater to various planning needs.
  • Effective Temperature Control: Consistent use of insulated bags ensured cold/frozen items arrived safely in our tests.

Cons

  • Variable Shopper Quality & Consistency: The biggest gamble. While many shoppers are excellent, a disengaged or careless shopper can lead to frustration with poor substitutions, lack of communication, or damaged items.
  • Layered Costs Can Add Up: Membership fees + service fees (on non-Target orders) + potential item upcharges + essential tips make it pricier than shopping yourself or some competitors if not careful.
  • “Service Fee” Lack of Transparency: While displayed at checkout, the variable nature of this fee on non-Target orders can feel opaque.
  • Inventory Sync Issues: Occasionally, the app shows items available that are actually out-of-stock in the store, leading to unexpected substitutions.
  • Customer Service Responsiveness Varies: While issues are usually resolved, getting a quick response during peak times can be challenging.
  • Membership Justification: The $99/year cost requires fairly regular use (at least 2-3 times per month) to be more economical than Pay-Per-Order or potentially competitor options with lower/no membership fees but different fee structures.

Shipt vs. The Competition: Head-to-Head Analysis

How does Shipt stack up against other grocery delivery giants? Here’s a comparative look:

FeatureShiptInstacartWalmart+ InHomeAmazon Fresh/Whole Foods (Prime)
Primary ModelMembership / PPO MarketplaceMembership / PPO MarketplaceMembership (Grocery Focus + Perks)Membership (Prime Required)
Pricing Structure$99/yr + Service Fees + Upcharges + Tip$99/yr + Service Fees + Upcharges + Tip$98/yr or $12.95/mo (No per-order fees/tips for InHome)Free Delivery over Threshold ($35/$100+)  
Key Store FocusTarget, Various Grocers, RetailWidest Grocery SelectionWalmart SupercentersAmazon Fresh Stores, Whole Foods Market
Shopper ModelIndependent Contractors (Personal Focus)Independent ContractorsWalmart Employees (Salaried)Amazon Flex Drivers / Store Employees
PersonalizationHigh (Communication, Preferred Shoppers)Moderate (Communication Varies)Low (Focus on Efficiency)Low (Standard Delivery)
Service FeesVariable (Often $0 at Target)VariableNoneNone
Item UpchargesCommon (Excl. Target)CommonNone (Same as In-Store)None (Same as Online/Store Price)
Best ForTarget Shoppers, Personalized Service FansWidest Store Choice, Specific Grocery ChainsWalmart Loyalists, Budget-ConsciousAmazon Prime Members, Whole Foods Fans

Key Differentiators:

  • Shipt’s Edge: Unmatched Target integration, strong potential for personalized service through shopper communication and preferred shopper features. Often feels more like hiring help than just receiving a delivery.
  • Instacart’s Edge: Typically has the broadest selection of grocery store partners. Mature platform with robust features.
  • Walmart+’s Edge: Price leadership. No item upcharges or service fees, and InHome delivery uses salaried employees (no tipping expected for InHome), making the final price highly predictable and often lowest overall for Walmart shoppers.10
  • Amazon Fresh/WF’s Edge: Seamless integration for Prime members, often fast delivery, price consistency with their online/store prices. Limited to Amazon’s own ecosystem.

Bottom Line: Shipt competes strongly on service and store variety, especially for Target runs. Competitors might win on absolute lowest cost (Walmart+) or sheer grocery store selection (Instacart).

Expert Insights & Pro Tips for Maximizing Your Shipt Experience

Our three months of testing revealed several strategies to make Shipt work better for you:

1

Master Substitution Preferences:

Don’t rely on “Choose backup for me.” Pre-select specific acceptable alternatives for your critical items. For less critical items, use “Contact me” if you want input, or “Do not substitute” if you’d rather go without.
2

Be Hyper-Responsive During Shopping:

Treat the shopping window like an active chat session. Quick replies to your shopper prevent delays and ensure you get what you want. Turn on app notifications.
3

Utilize the “Special Requests” Field:

For produce, specify desired ripeness (e.g., “Avocados firm, ripe in 2 days”). For deli items, specify thickness. This guides your shopper effectively.
4

Favorite Good Shoppers Immediately:

Had a fantastic experience? Rate 5 stars and hit that “Add to Preferred Shoppers” button. While not a guarantee, it significantly increases your odds of getting them again.
5

Order Strategically for Quality:

If possible, avoid ordering perishables during the absolute busiest times (like Sunday evenings) when shoppers might be rushed. Consider placing larger orders earlier in the day or mid-week.
6

Check Your Digital Receipt Carefully:

Compare it against your order confirmation and physical items received. Report discrepancies (missing items, wrong items, quality issues) through the app immediately using the order history section. Include photos if relevant for quality issues.
7

Understand the True Cost:

Before placing an order, mentally factor in the estimated service fee (if applicable) and a 15-20% tip to the displayed subtotal to get a realistic sense of the final cost compared to shopping yourself.
8

Combine Stores (Wisely):

Use the multi-store feature for efficiency, but be aware delivery windows might differ slightly. Don’t overload a single shopper with massive orders from multiple distant stores. Expert Insight: “Shipt users who treat the interaction as a brief collaboration with their shopper, providing clear instructions and quick feedback, consistently report higher satisfaction rates. It’s about leveraging the ‘personal’ aspect of the service.” – Lark Huang-Storms, PhD

Who is Shipt REALLY For? (And Who Might Skip It?)

Shipt isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Based on our testing, here’s who benefits most:

Shipt

Ideal Shipt Users:

  • Frequent Target Shoppers: The seamless integration, lack of service fees, and ability to use RedCard savings make Shipt almost a no-brainer for Target regulars seeking delivery.
  • Those Prioritizing Personalized Service: If you value communication, the ability to guide substitutions, and potentially build rapport with preferred shoppers, Shipt’s model caters well to this.
  • Busy Families & Professionals: The time savings from outsourcing large weekly grocery hauls or frequent top-ups can be invaluable, justifying the cost for those with limited bandwidth.
  • Users Needing Variety: Individuals who shop across multiple categories (groceries, pharmacy, pet supplies, home goods) appreciate Shipt’s diverse retailer partnerships consolidated in one app.
  • Individuals with Mobility Issues: Shipt provides essential access to groceries and household goods for those who find in-store shopping difficult.11

Who Might Reconsider Shipt:

  • Extreme Budget Shoppers: If minimizing cost is the absolute top priority, the combination of membership, service fees, potential upcharges, and tips might make alternatives like Walmart+ or Aldi (via Instacart, comparing fees) more appealing.
  • Very Infrequent Users: Unless placing large orders, the Pay-Per-Order $10 fee is steep. A monthly or annual membership only makes sense with regular use (2+ orders/month typically).
  • Those Wanting Utmost Simplicity/Speed: Users who dislike shopper interaction and just want items dropped off quickly with minimal fuss might prefer services with less emphasis on communication.
  • People in Areas with Limited Partner Stores: Shipt’s value diminishes significantly if key local grocery stores aren’t partnered in your specific zip code. Check availability first.

Addressing Common Concerns: Shipt FAQ

The Final Verdict: Is Shipt Worth Your Time & Money?

After three months, 54 orders, and countless interactions, our team reached a clear consensus: Shipt is a premium, highly capable grocery delivery service that excels for users who value personalization, communication, and broad retail access, particularly for Target. Its ability to connect you directly with a shopper allows for a level of customization that often surpasses efficiency-focused competitors. When you get a great shopper, the experience feels truly seamless and personalized.

However, this premium experience comes with potential costs – membership fees, variable service charges, possible item upcharges, and the essential need to tip. The quality of service, while generally high in our tests (91% accuracy, 94% on-time), hinges significantly on the individual shopper assigned to your order, introducing an element of variability.

Shipt shines brightest for frequent Target customers (thanks to waived service fees and RedCard integration) and those who actively engage with the communication features to guide their shopper. It’s less ideal for the strictly budget-driven consumer who prioritizes the absolute lowest final price above all else, or for those who only need delivery sporadically.

Final Rating: 4.4 / 5.0 Stars

Bottom Line: If you view grocery delivery as a valuable time-saving service and appreciate the potential for a personalized touch, Shipt is an excellent choice and a worthwhile investment, especially if Target is your go-to store. Just be sure to understand the full cost structure and actively participate in the communication process to maximize your satisfaction.

Where to Sign Up & Potential Offers

Ready to reclaim your grocery shopping time? You can sign up for Shipt and check for current free trials or introductory offers directly on their website:

How we reviewed this article:

Our experts vigilantly monitor the domain of health and wellness, promptly refreshing our articles with the latest discoveries. Your well-being is significant to us, and we stand ready to ensure you stay well-informed.

June 16, 2025

Current Version

June 16, 2025
June 16, 2025

Written By
Maggie Seibel, M.A.
Edited By
Suzanne Briggs
Medically Reviewed By
Dr Emma Thomas, MPH, PhD
Copy Edited By
David Lopez-Kopp

June 16, 2025

At Body Freedom, we rely solely on top-tier sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, to bolster the veracity of our content. Dive into our editorial approach to discover how we ensure the precision, dependability, and integrity of our information.

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