--- title: "CartSnitch FAQ" status: draft version: 1.0 last_updated: 2026-03-20 description: "Frequently asked questions about CartSnitch — how it works, data privacy, supported stores, and troubleshooting." --- # Frequently Asked Questions --- ## General ### What is CartSnitch? CartSnitch is a free tool that tracks grocery prices, detects shrinkflation, and compares prices across stores. Connect your store loyalty accounts and CartSnitch does the rest — no barcodes, no receipt scanning, no manual entry. ### How does CartSnitch track my prices? When you connect a store loyalty account (like mPerks, Kroger Plus, or Target Circle), CartSnitch securely accesses your purchase history. It records what you bought, what you paid, and the package size. Over time, this builds a complete picture of your grocery spending. ### What is shrinkflation? Shrinkflation is when a brand reduces the size or quantity of a product while keeping the price the same (or raising it). A cereal box that was 15 oz last year and 13.5 oz today — at the same price — is shrinkflation. CartSnitch tracks unit prices (price per ounce, per count) to catch this automatically. ### Is CartSnitch free? Yes. CartSnitch is free to use. No subscription, no trial period, no credit card required. --- ## Stores & Data ### Which stores does CartSnitch support? Currently: **Meijer**, **Kroger**, and **Target**. We're adding more stores regularly — Walmart, Costco, and Aldi are on the roadmap. ### How do I connect my store account? Go to **Settings > Connect a Store**, choose your store, and enter the email and password you use for that store's loyalty program. CartSnitch imports your purchase history within minutes. See our [Connecting Your Store Accounts](onboarding/connecting-stores.md) guide for details. ### Can I connect multiple stores? Yes. Connect as many supported stores as you have accounts for. More stores means better price comparisons and more complete tracking. ### Does CartSnitch work if I don't have a loyalty account? Not yet. CartSnitch currently requires a store loyalty account to import your purchases. If you don't have one, signing up for mPerks, Kroger Plus, or Target Circle is free and takes a couple of minutes. --- ## Privacy & Security ### Is my store login information safe? Yes. Your store credentials are encrypted and stored securely. CartSnitch uses them only to access your purchase history — nothing else. ### What data does CartSnitch collect? CartSnitch collects: - Your purchase history (items, prices, dates) - Product information (names, brands, package sizes) - Price data across stores CartSnitch does **not** collect: - Payment methods or credit card numbers - Personal demographics beyond your account info - Location data - Data from any source other than your connected store accounts ### Does CartSnitch sell my data? No. CartSnitch does not sell, share, or monetize your personal purchase data. Aggregated, anonymized price trends may be used in public-facing content (like our blog posts about shrinkflation), but your individual data is never shared. ### Can I delete my data? Yes. You can disconnect any store at any time, and you can delete your CartSnitch account entirely. When you delete your account, all of your data is permanently removed. --- ## Features ### How do price alerts work? Set a target price for any product. CartSnitch monitors prices from your connected stores and notifies you when the price drops to your target or below. See our [Setting Up Price Alerts](onboarding/setting-up-alerts.md) guide. ### How does store comparison work? For any product, CartSnitch shows you what it costs at each of your connected stores, sorted from cheapest to most expensive. It highlights the best deal and tells you how much you'd save. See our [Comparing Stores](onboarding/comparing-stores.md) guide. ### What are coupons in CartSnitch? CartSnitch surfaces digital coupons from your connected store accounts. You can browse available deals, see expiration dates, and copy coupon codes — all in one place instead of checking each store's app separately. ### Does CartSnitch work offline? Yes. CartSnitch is a progressive web app (PWA) that caches your data locally. You can browse your purchase history, check product prices, and view your shopping list even without an internet connection. New data syncs when you're back online. --- ## Troubleshooting ### My purchases aren't showing up. Some stores take a few hours to make recent purchases available. If you just shopped, check back in a few hours. If it's been more than 24 hours, try disconnecting and reconnecting the store in **Settings > Connect a Store**. ### I can't connect my store account. Make sure you're using the same email and password you use on the store's website or app. If you recently changed your password, use the new one. If your store uses two-factor authentication, you may need to adjust those settings temporarily. ### The app isn't loading or looks broken. Try refreshing the page. If you installed CartSnitch to your home screen, try opening it in your browser instead. Clear your browser cache if the issue persists. ### How do I install CartSnitch on my phone? Visit CartSnitch in your mobile browser. You'll see a prompt to "Add to Home Screen" — tap it and CartSnitch gets its own app icon. No app store download needed.