Side Hustle School Ep. 3146 - Q&A: “Can you buy or sell Instacart accounts as a side hustle?”
Aug 12, 2025
Curious about buying and selling Instacart accounts? Dive into the controversial gray market as the hosts explore potential profits and the serious risks involved, like account bans. Discover the journey of a former Instacart shopper who navigates this hustling world. The discussion doesn't just highlight this risky venture; it also teases safer side hustle alternatives for those looking to earn extra cash. Tune in for insights that could steer your side hustle path in an unexpected direction!
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Gray Market Strategies Exist
- Gray-market account trading appears in the gig economy as a workaround.
- Chris Guillebeau frames these as risky shortcuts, not stable side hustles.
A Shopper Wonders About Account Sales
- Tyler worked as an Instacart shopper for about a year and saw online offers to buy or rent accounts.
- He asked whether buying or selling accounts is legal, allowed, or a viable side hustle.
Platform Rules Trump Creativity
- Avoid buying or selling Instacart accounts because it violates terms of service and risks bans.
- Chris Guillebeau warns platforms can cancel accounts, block new signups, and withhold earned pay.
