When opening food delivery applications, users often pay attention to discount offers that can reach 30, 40, or even 50 percent and more. However, the presence of a high discount percentage does not guarantee that the dish will be the cheapest option. Users frequently ask why the final bill is high despite a large discount.
To understand this issue, it is necessary to realize that simply looking at the discount percentage is not enough. For example, if a restaurant sets the price of a dish at 200 rupees, but it is displayed in the app for 320 rupees, then with a 100 rupee discount, the price will be 220 rupees. Although a 100 rupee discount looks significant relative to 320 rupees, compared to the original restaurant menu price of 200 rupees, the customer still pays 20 rupees more.
In reality, the main complexity lies not in the price of the dish itself, but in the total bill amount. The price shown on the platform is not the full cost of the order. Various fees may be added to it, such as delivery, packaging, or processing fees, as well as commissions from the platform itself and other applicable payments.
According to current Zomato terms, the price displayed on the platform is provided by the partner restaurant and may include packaging or processing costs. The company also states that delivery costs can vary depending on distance, order amount, and time of day. Similarly, Swiggy's terms stipulate charges for processing, convenience, platform, packaging, small orders, and, in certain cases, a surge fee, with all applicable charges displayed during checkout.
If we take the example of a 320 rupee dish with a 100 rupee discount, 220 rupees remain after the discount. But if delivery fees and other charges are added to this amount, the final bill may exceed 220 rupees. Thus, the discount visible on the screen and the final amount to be paid are different things.
It is also important to understand whether restaurants can increase prices in apps. Zomato's partnership terms state that restaurants must set prices on the platform equal to or lower than those in their own channels, including the cost of food and packaging. Nevertheless, Zomato's terms for customers state that the price on the platform is based on information from the partner restaurant and may include packaging or processing fees. Therefore, one cannot conclude about all restaurants based solely on one Reddit post.
To understand the true benefit of a discount, one should look at the total amount payable after applying the discount. Many promotions have limitations; for example, a 50% discount may have a maximum limit of 100 rupees, meaning that for an order of 500 rupees, the discount will not exceed 100 rupees. Furthermore, some offers may require a minimum order amount, a specific payment method, or adherence to other rules.
There is also confusion surrounding taxes. Although one user on Reddit asserted something about taxes, this is not a general rule for all food orders. According to the government, the responsibility for paying GST related to restaurant services obtained through online delivery lies with the e-commerce operator. Information on applicable taxes and other fees is always available on the receipt.
Before ordering food, it is recommended to check three things: 1. What is the price of the dish on the restaurant's menu? 2. What is the actual discount amount in rupees? 3. What will the final amount payable be after adding delivery fees, packaging, platform commission, and applicable taxes?