Industry Odisha Bureau, Sep 12: Zomato has introduced a new charge for cash-on-delivery orders. The fee appears as a “Pay on Delivery Fee” in customer bills. It varies across transactions, and Swiggy currently levies no equivalent charge.
Zomato Adds Pay on Delivery Fee
Zomato has started levying a separate fee on cash-on-delivery orders. The charge shows up as a “Pay on Delivery Fee”. It applies when customers choose to pay in cash at delivery. Checks on the company’s app confirmed the fee’s presence on Saturday. The amount appears directly within the order bill.
Zomato COD Fee Varies Across Orders
The Pay on Delivery Fee is not uniform. Different transaction values have shown different charges. Some customers see one amount, others another. This variation is confirmed, but its cause is not. No consistent pattern has been established yet.
How Zomato Calculates COD Fee Remains Unclear
The exact method behind the charge remains unclear. It is not known whether order value affects it. Location could also be a factor. Other parameters might play a role too. None of these possibilities has been confirmed. Zomato has not explained the calculation publicly. An email seeking comment went unanswered before publication. That silence does not confirm any explanation.
Swiggy Does Not Levy Separate COD Fee
Swiggy currently does not charge a separate COD fee. This marks a clear difference between the two platforms. It is unclear whether Swiggy will introduce one later. The comparison highlights differing approaches to COD pricing. It does not establish which platform is cheaper overall.
Platform Fees Add to Food Delivery Bills
Zomato already levies a platform fee on orders. Delivery charges can also apply, depending on the order. Packaging charges may be added as well. Other charges could apply in certain cases. The new COD fee adds another possible component. Not every charge applies to every transaction.
Food Delivery Platforms Explore Monetisation
Food delivery platforms are testing new fee structures. Zomato’s COD fee fits within this wider trend. Platforms are exploring different ways to monetise orders. This does not necessarily indicate higher profitability. Additional fees reflect changing revenue strategies, not confirmed margins. The wider Indian food-delivery market continues to evolve.
Cash Payments Now Carry a Distinct Charge
Choosing cash at delivery now carries a specific fee. This creates a pricing difference tied to payment method. However, no evidence explains Zomato’s reasoning. Claims about encouraging digital payments remain unverified for now. The charge simply exists as an observed pattern.
Zomato’s Pay on Delivery Fee marks a new checkout addition. It joins existing platform, delivery and packaging charges. The calculation method remains undisclosed for now. Swiggy has not adopted a similar charge yet. Food-delivery bills continue growing more layered across India’s market. How this fee evolves remains to be seen.
