Zomato order shock: ₹320 meal appears as ₹655, woman calls out price gap, company responds saying…

Food delivery apps are something most people use without thinking much about it. They make life easier, especially on busy days. But once in a while, they also leave customers surprised. That is what happened in a case that recently went viral online.A customer was surprised to see a big difference between the price shown on Zomato and what the restaurant actually charged. The issue came into focus after Nalini Unagar posted screenshots of both bills on X. The two prices were clearly not the same. Her post soon went viral, with many people talking about food delivery costs.According to her post, the food was priced at ₹320 on the restaurant’s takeaway bill, but the same order showed up as ₹655 on Zomato.Even after applying discounts, she said she was still being asked to pay ₹550. Calling the difference shocking, Unagar wrote, “Dear Zomato, the actual price of my order is ₹320, but on Zomato it’s ₹655. Even after applying discounts, I still have to pay ₹550. This price difference is absolutely insane. Customers are being blatantly overcharged.”She also shared a photo showing both bills side by side. The post quickly gained traction and crossed over four lakh views.Zomato responded to the viral post through its official customer care handle. In its reply, the company clarified that menu prices on the platform are set by restaurant partners and not by Zomato itself.“Hi Nalini, the prices on our platform are determined solely by our restaurant partners, as Zomato acts only as an intermediary between customers and restaurants,” the company said. It added that the feedback would be shared with the restaurant and invited the user to reach out for further help.As the post spread, it triggered a wider discussion online. Several users defended the higher prices, pointing to the cost of delivery and the services involved.“This is done to support gig workers,” one user commented. Another wrote, “Zomato is not a charity. They have to pay delivery partners, staff, and handle operational costs. If you want restaurant pricing, go and pick it up yourself.”Others echoed the same view, saying the extra charge is the price people pay for convenience. “You’re paying for comfort and time saved,” a user noted. “You always have the option to order directly from the restaurant.”Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by social media users in this article are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Times of India.Thumb image: X