Food delivery apps like Zomato and Swiggy have always been criticised for charging high delivery fees and sometimes higher food prices as well. Fueling this claim, a Chennai-based man recently compared food bills of a local restaurant on Zomato and direct order. To his surprise, the food items were priced higher on Zomato, and there was a difference of ₹184 between both the bills for the exact same order.
Chennai Man Compares Zomato Food Bill With Offline Order
My uncle ordered food from Murugan idly shop . See the Price difference between @zomato and actual . pic.twitter.com/R83rVHKJhZ
— Kannan (@Kannan__TS) July 16, 2024
We have become so reliant on food and grocery delivery apps that we often overlook how these conveniences end up charging much higher than we anticipate. Case in point, X user, @Kannan__TS’s latest post where he compares food bills of an eatery in Chennai and sees a price discrepancy between ordering through Zomato and directly from the restaurant.
In his post, he compared prices of food items from Murugan Idli Shop in Chennai. In the picture shared, you can see there is a difference of ₹184 between the Zomato and direct restaurant bills. Now, what’s concerning is that one can easily spot stark price differences between the dishes mentioned in the bills.
Hi Kannan, we can understand your concern and would like to get this checked. Could you please DM us your order ID or registered contact details? https://t.co/jcTFuGT2Se
— Zomato Care (@zomatocare) July 16, 2024
For six pieces of idli from Murugan Idli Shop, Zomato was charging ₹198, while the restaurant charged only ₹132. Next, for two Ghee Podi Idlis, the price on Zomato was ₹132, while on the other bill, the price was ₹88. Similarly, for Chettinad Masala Dosa and Mysore Masala Dosa, Zomato was charging ₹260 each. Meanwhile, if ordered directly from the restaurant, the Chettinad Masala Dosa would cost ₹171 and Mysore Masala Dosa would cost only ₹181. After adding all the tax, the total cost on Zomato was ₹987, whereas it was only ₹803 when ordered directly!
Zomato has replied to the post and has asked the X user for his details so that they can check the issue.
Here’s What Netizens Have To Say About This
Of course, netizens had a lot to say about this post comparing Zomato food bill to offline orders. Many people pointed out how Zomato is levying these charges for delivery and paying their delivery partners. Some even said that delivery apps like Zomato and Swiggy are companies and not NGOs that will deliver food for free.
This is weird!! It should be free of cost and the riders should give head massage to the customer as well. What kind of NGO is this Zomato 🤷🏻♂️
— Gentle Giant (@iKunaal) July 17, 2024
Swiggy / Zomato not an NGO , they need minimum 20% profit .
— Sarvan Pillai 🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@sarvanhindustan) July 16, 2024
The price of comfort and convenience.
— dr_vee (@dr_vee95) July 17, 2024
The company has to earn
The driver has to be paid
The motorcycle burns fuelSir, there are no free lunches
— Col Hunny Bakshi, VSM (@colhunnybakshi) July 17, 2024
The important question one need to ask themselves is, what’s the price you are willing to pay for the convenience of ordering a dish on your phone in the comfort of your home and delivered at anytime in any weather. Now that comes at a cost.
— Ramanand Ramesh (@ramanandramesh) July 17, 2024
Difference is you sitting at your dining table and having the masala dosa without moving your body, for that Murugan idly or any restaurant for that matter won’t bear the expenses Kannan.
— Raja Ganapathy subramanian (@jillu80) July 17, 2024
Delete the app. It’s not made for customers like you lmao
— Akhilesh (@akhileshutup) July 17, 2024
Yes coz murugan idly has to pay commission for Zomato or whichever platform they are in. So they add up their price and put it so that whatever they charge in their outlet will be received to them via online order. Mark up amount will be paid to the platform provider
— Rangaprasad (@rangarulez) July 16, 2024
You want convenience and also pay less!
— Shaani Nani (@shaaninani) July 17, 2024
Those are Zomato and Swiggy’s profit, they’re running business & they need to pay for their drivers and their Petrol. They’re not NGO, ROFL.
— ᴋᴀʀᴛʜɪ (@SaffronTweetz) July 17, 2024
Dude who will pay for the platform, servers required to maintain the app , deliver guys etc ?
— Jt Jones (@jonesyoutubejt) July 17, 2024
Yes, there will be difference.
– Zomato charges 30% in every purchase from restaurant.
– Zomato doesn’t give any offer, all offers are given by restaurant.
– To get restaurant visible to customers, Zomato charges additional as ads charges.So restaurant price varies.
— Pugalventhan Venkatesan (@pugalventhan_91) July 17, 2024
On the other hand, some people disagreed and said that such high markup on delivery services is not reasonable and that Zomato should be considerate while levying such high charges.
With due respect, Restaurants already contribute 20-25% of their earnings to this service. The issue isn’t about getting free food; it’s about ensuring the charges are fair and reasonable.
— Daksh (@bhatnagardaksh1) July 17, 2024
This I realised long back. Packing charges also separate. Crooks.
— Adi | 🇮🇳 (@AdiSpeaX) July 16, 2024
These comission should be bourne by restaurants in lieu of reach they get from Zomato/Swiggy, just like how Visa and MC works. If this comission is justified then why not show in bill, like delivery & network fee is shown. Customer shouldn’t be kept in dark. Need a law on this
— D (@Dhrm_Pnt) July 18, 2024
What’s your take on this entire matter? Let us know in the comments!
Cover Image Courtesy: X/@Kannan__TS & Canva
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