Food delivery platforms Zomato and Swiggy are facing backlash after increasing their platform fee to ₹10 per order, just as the festive season rush kicks in. Both companies aim to benefit from the expected surge in orders, but the hike has left customers unhappy.
Zomato’s Gradual Fee Hikes
Zomato first introduced a platform fee of ₹2 per order in August 2023. By January 2024, this fee was raised to ₹4, and it now stands at ₹10. This platform fee applies to all users, including Gold members, and is separate from the delivery fee that Zomato also charges.
Social Media Backlash
The new fee structure sparked outrage on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where users expressed frustration over the ever-increasing cost of food delivery. Many customers highlighted how food delivery, which once started with free delivery, has now become too expensive.
Financial influencer Ravisutanjani summed up the sentiment by saying, “Food ordering started with free delivery, now GST, delivery and packing charges, platform fee.”\
Customer Complaints About Rising Costs
Several users on X voiced their displeasure at the growing list of charges associated with food delivery services. A user named Snehil called for a boycott, stating, “I strongly feel that it is the right time to say goodbye to Zomato, Swiggy, Flipkart, Blinkit and similar frauds as it has become common for them to loot customers in the name of platform fee, handling charges and what not.”
Aditya Shah added to the conversation, pointing out the multiple layers of charges: “Pay an inflated cost of food to use the platform. Pay a platform fee to use the platform. Restaurants pay a fee to use the platform. And finally, pay with your health by eating outside food.”
Memes and Reactions
Some users even joked about the increasing costs, with one person commenting, “Platform fee to be higher than delivery charges soon,” while another remarked, “Getting too expensive.” The frustration also fueled a wave of memes, adding humor to the growing discontent.
As Zomato and Swiggy continue to adjust their fees, the growing dissatisfaction among customers suggests that the convenience of food delivery may no longer be worth the price for many.