Sick of Soaring Food Delivery Charges? This User's Hack Has Everyone Talking
With online food delivery becoming more expensive due to rising platform charges, convenience fees, and inflated menu prices, many customers are now rethinking how they order their meals. One such user has caught the internet’s attention by sharing a workaround that skips food delivery apps entirely– prompting a flurry of reactions across social media platforms.
Ordering without the app
An X user named Krisha recently shared that she no longer relies on popular food delivery apps like Zomato and Swiggy. Instead, she places her orders directly with restaurants and hires third-party services like Uber or Rapido to collect and deliver the food to her doorstep.
In her post, she wrote: “Stopped using Zomato/Swiggy. Now I just call my regular spots, they pack the food, and I send Uber/Rapido to pick it up. Even after the Rs 50-100 delivery cost, it’s still cheaper than ordering on apps (thanks to their markups, platform fees, and commissions). Net profitable.”
The post has since gone viral, triggering a broader conversation around food delivery costs and alternative ways to save.
Supporters highlight the Savings
Many users on X agreed with the idea, sharing their own experiences of avoiding delivery apps to cut down on expenses. Several pointed out how prices on food delivery platforms are often much higher than what restaurants charge directly.
One user replied, “That's totally true. Zomato and Swiggy have 40 to 50% markup, and when your order is above Rs 300, the actual cost would be 40 to 50% cheaper. Sometimes even 60 percent, so using Rapido or Porter would be a lot cheaper.”
For regular customers and families placing large orders, the savings from avoiding platform fees and markups seem to be a significant incentive.
Not everyone is convinced
While the cost-saving aspect drew support, some users raised concerns about the practicality of this approach. The added responsibility of coordinating with riders, sharing pickup details, and ensuring smooth delivery without any support from a centralised platform was a drawback for many.
One user pointed out, “Smart move, but isn't convenience part of what you're paying for with apps?”
Another added, “Zomato and Swiggy’s fees are annoying, but at least they handle the mess; your method shifts it all to you.”
The responses highlighted that for a section of users, the ease of using a single app to manage everything from order to delivery remains a priority.
Safety and responsibility concerns
The conversation also shifted towards questions of safety and accountability. Unlike delivery apps that monitor the entire delivery chain and take responsibility for issues, using third-party services for pickups may raise concerns about what happens if something goes wrong.
One user commented, “If the Rapido/Uber delivery person poisons the food, then neither the restaurant nor the Uber/Rapido takes ownership.”
The lack of clear liability in such cases is something that concerns several users, especially when it comes to food handling and delivery ethics.
Disclaimer: This article, as reported by The Times of India, is based solely on user posts and shared experiences. It does not claim, endorse, promote, or criticize any platform, service, or individual mentioned. All information is presented for reporting purposes only.
Ordering without the app
An X user named Krisha recently shared that she no longer relies on popular food delivery apps like Zomato and Swiggy. Instead, she places her orders directly with restaurants and hires third-party services like Uber or Rapido to collect and deliver the food to her doorstep.
In her post, she wrote: “Stopped using Zomato/Swiggy. Now I just call my regular spots, they pack the food, and I send Uber/Rapido to pick it up. Even after the Rs 50-100 delivery cost, it’s still cheaper than ordering on apps (thanks to their markups, platform fees, and commissions). Net profitable.”
The post has since gone viral, triggering a broader conversation around food delivery costs and alternative ways to save.
Supporters highlight the Savings
Many users on X agreed with the idea, sharing their own experiences of avoiding delivery apps to cut down on expenses. Several pointed out how prices on food delivery platforms are often much higher than what restaurants charge directly.
One user replied, “That's totally true. Zomato and Swiggy have 40 to 50% markup, and when your order is above Rs 300, the actual cost would be 40 to 50% cheaper. Sometimes even 60 percent, so using Rapido or Porter would be a lot cheaper.”
For regular customers and families placing large orders, the savings from avoiding platform fees and markups seem to be a significant incentive.
Not everyone is convinced
While the cost-saving aspect drew support, some users raised concerns about the practicality of this approach. The added responsibility of coordinating with riders, sharing pickup details, and ensuring smooth delivery without any support from a centralised platform was a drawback for many.
One user pointed out, “Smart move, but isn't convenience part of what you're paying for with apps?”
Another added, “Zomato and Swiggy’s fees are annoying, but at least they handle the mess; your method shifts it all to you.”
The responses highlighted that for a section of users, the ease of using a single app to manage everything from order to delivery remains a priority.
Safety and responsibility concerns
The conversation also shifted towards questions of safety and accountability. Unlike delivery apps that monitor the entire delivery chain and take responsibility for issues, using third-party services for pickups may raise concerns about what happens if something goes wrong.
One user commented, “If the Rapido/Uber delivery person poisons the food, then neither the restaurant nor the Uber/Rapido takes ownership.”
The lack of clear liability in such cases is something that concerns several users, especially when it comes to food handling and delivery ethics.
Disclaimer: This article, as reported by The Times of India, is based solely on user posts and shared experiences. It does not claim, endorse, promote, or criticize any platform, service, or individual mentioned. All information is presented for reporting purposes only.
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