Zomato Responds After Customer Shares Price Difference Between Online Bill With Offline Order

Zomato is a popular online food delivery and restaurant discovery platform that connects users with a wide range of dining options. Now, one customer of Zomato took to the microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to highlight the price differences between Zomato’s online food delivery charges and the prices of ordering directly from restaurants.

The customer shared a detailed comparison, showing how much extra they were being charged by Zomato for the same meal. To say that it sparked a debate online would be a sheer understatement.

India.Com

The customer highlights a significant price discrepancy between Zomato and restaurant orders

A Zomato customer recently took to the microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter) to expose a significant price discrepancy between ordering food through the delivery app and ordering directly from Murugan Idli Shop in Chennai.

According to the user’s post, six pieces of Idli cost Rs 198 on Zomato, while the restaurant charged only Rs 132. Further, giving a detailed analysis of all food items, the customer shared 2 Ghee Podi Idlis were priced at Rs 132 on Zomato, but the restaurant offered them for just Rs 88. The Chettinad Masala Dosa was listed at Rs 260 on Zomato, compared to Rs 132 at the restaurant, and the Mysore Masala Dosa was Rs 260 on the app but only Rs 181 directly from the restaurant.

After including tax, the total cost on Zomato came to Rs 987, whereas ordering directly from the restaurant totaled just Rs 803. This revealed how the same food items were nearly Rs 184 cheaper when ordered offline.

Have a look at his post,

He highlighted this disparity with a caption that read,

“My uncle ordered food from Murugan Idli Shop. See the price difference between @zomato and actual.”

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

The post started gaining significant traction thereby prompting Zomato to respond

Soon after the post circulated online, Zomato responded, saying,

“We can understand your concern and would like to get this checked.”

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

 This prompt reply indicates that the company is taking the issue seriously but netizens had something else to say.

Netizens were divided on the post

Since the user’s complaint about Zomato’s pricing differences was shared on X, it has garnered over 200,000 views. The post quickly went viral, attracting a variety of reactions from netizens.

While some users expressed frustration over the extra charges, highlighting the significant markup for convenience, others defended the platform, noting that additional costs cover services like delivery and commissions.

In the name of convenience they take almost 25% extra from us….and also take anywhere from 30% to 50% from the restaurant….wah….gajab dhandha hai….super loot macha rakhi hai convenience provide karne ka sirf platform hone ke naam par….if we stop ordering maybe then they…

— Yogesh Goel (Review Wala) (@ygoel) July 17, 2024

The whole point of using an app to order food is that you get to eat your favorite junk food at home. These are basically operational charges. Can’t say they are more or less, but these charges are always going to be different than the original restaurant charges.

— Amrit (@AmritHallan) July 17, 2024

I do not think it’s too much of a difference for the Convenience. Incase the restaurant has free delivery you can order from them

— Punita Toraskar (@impuni) July 17, 2024

Swiggy / Zomato not an NGO , they need minimum 20% profit .

— Sarvan Pillai 🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@sarvanhindustan) July 16, 2024

You will pay for convenience, right?

— Ankit Nagori (@ankitnagori27) July 17, 2024

This mixed response showcases the divided opinions on the fairness and necessity of such price differences in online food delivery services.

What are your thoughts though? Are the service charges nominal as per you or should they cut it down a little? Do share your opinions via the comments below.