Jack Crivici-Kramer

Now, Instacart acknowledged that this report is true.

They do show different customers, different prices.

But it wasn't exactly an admission of guilt from Instacart.

Yeah, what we found fascinating is they framed it kind of like a techie flex.

Right, Jack?

Instacart said that these price differences are actually all experiments.

You see, they're using AI to help grocery stores test higher prices in the Instacart app.

Basically, Safeway is wondering, if I charge a buck more for this box of oatmeal, will customers buy it?

This lets them test that theory.

As an experiment, that does make sense.

You could see a tech company doing it.

However, the report also said Instacart's being dishonest about original prices.

the prices they strike out to show you that you're getting a good deal with their price.

Jack, let's whip up an example here.

Let's look at the same $4 saltine crackers that are making me thirsty.

One person in the study sees that the original price was $5.

The other person sees that the original price is $6.

Only one of those can be true, Nick.

That doesn't feel like an experiment, Jack.

It kind of feels like an experiment in dishonesty.