Zomato Cash on Delivery Orders will now attract an additional “Pay on Delivery Fee” when customers choose to pay in cash after receiving their food.
The new charge is shown separately in the order bill and comes on top of existing applicable fees.
The fee is not uniform for every customer or order. Reports based on checks of Zomato’s app indicate that the additional charge can vary depending on the user and order value.
Zomato Cash on Delivery Orders Get New Fee
The new charge applies specifically when customers select cash payment at the time of delivery.
Customers who choose online payment do not face this particular additional fee.
The exact formula used to determine the fee has not been disclosed.
The amount may differ across orders, with reports showing charges ranging from around ₹5 to ₹20 in some cases.
Why Is Zomato Charging for Cash Payments?
Zomato has not officially explained the reason behind introducing the separate Pay on Delivery Fee.
The move comes as food delivery platforms continue to experiment with different ways of generating revenue from their large customer bases.
The new fee is separate from Zomato’s existing platform fee, delivery charges, packaging charges and applicable taxes.
As a result, customers choosing cash payment may see a higher final bill than those using online payment.
Online Payment Avoids This Extra Charge
Customers who pay for their Zomato orders digitally are not charged the new cash-on-delivery fee.
This could make online payment more attractive for users who want to avoid the additional charge.
However, the final amount payable still depends on other charges applicable to the particular order, restaurant and delivery location.
Zomato Cash on Delivery Charges May Vary
Unlike a standard fixed platform fee, the Pay on Delivery Fee is not currently uniform across users.
Different amounts have been observed on different orders, making it important for customers to check the bill carefully before placing a COD order.
Zomato’s latest move adds another line item to food-delivery bills and could particularly affect customers who regularly prefer cash payments over digital transactions.
