India’s fastest-growing quick commerce startup, Zepto, is drawing heat from customers for what many are calling a “smart yet shady pricing game.” The controversy centers around the platform’s “Free Cash” offer — a marketing strategy that initially excites but ultimately disappoints many at checkout.
🔍 The Experience: Free Cash, But No Real Discount?
A user recently shared their frustration after receiving ₹100 in Zepto’s “Free Cash.” Hoping to save on a ₹400 grocery order, they expected the final bill to drop to ₹300.
But here’s what happened:
The moment they applied the free cash, new charges appeared — ₹40 in delivery, ₹30 in handling fees, and ₹20 in miscellaneous taxes.
Final bill? ₹400 again — same as before.
In effect, ₹100 free cash gave no real benefit — it was offset by newly added charges
😤 Not an Isolated Incident
This isn’t a one-off case. On social media, several users are now accusing Zepto of artificially inflating total costs at checkout to cancel out discounts.
Common complaints include:
“Delivery charges suddenly shoot up when I use free cash.”
“Prices change depending on the applied coupon.”
“It feels like a trap to make you feel you’re saving, but you’re not.”
📉 A Reputational Risk for Zepto?
As a category leader in 10-minute grocery delivery, Zepto thrives on convenience and aggressive marketing. But with rising consumer awareness and scrutiny, pricing transparency is becoming just as important.
If customers begin to feel misled, Zepto could risk:
Losing trust among price-sensitive buyers.
Facing possible legal or regulatory questions around deceptive pricing.
Opening the door for rivals like Blinkit and Instamart to win back loyalty.
🛡️ What Should Consumers Do?
Compare product prices across platforms.
Check order totals with & without discounts.
Share screenshots of suspicious pricing to raise awareness.
⚠️ Final Take
If a platform offers ₹100 “free cash” — customers deserve a ₹100 benefit. Not hidden markups.
As the quick-commerce race heats up, transparency and trust may become the true differentiators — not just speed.
