There was a time when people used to step out of their comfort zone to get their food parcelled. And then came the concept of 'convenience at your doorstep'. With a promise to provide fresh food within minutes, this concept was well-received as there was a gradual change in people's lifestyle as well. Slowly, many got used to the luxury.
However, the scenario is slowly changing as many of these food delivery apps have started including hefty service charges which tends to increase the overall price of the order. Though the service has its own advantages, it has a fair share of disadvantages too.
Olivia Phoebe, a content writer, orders at least one of her meals through such apps. Since she lives in a PG which doesn't provide lunch, ordering the meal is a part of her routine now.
"Iwould order food almost everyday as it is easier to order online than cook in the PG.
However, this used to be feasible, but now I think twice before placing an order. The list of taxes and other extra charges end up being sky high and it's no more convenient," says Olivia.
As an alternative, she has found a roadside shop from where she picks up a packet of buns for lunch. There are also times when she either skips breakfast and lunch and instead, has a brunch if it gets too expensive.
"The extra charges included in these services have made it an expensive affair and the providers should realise that not everyone can afford it. They should work on this before people start opting for other alternatives. They should abide by the terms and conditions that they started off with," she adds.
Highlighting that people have gotten very used to this comfort, Sirisha Polisetty says that earlier, she used to go out and get food for herself but with the convenience of doorstep delivery, she has perhaps become too lazy to step out after a tiring day at work. "I used to order twice or thrice a day but over a period of time, Itook note of the amount of money I spent only on food. A piece of idli that would cost, say Rs 25, would come up to Rs 80 by the end of the checkout which is insane. And at the end of the month, it does matter," says Sirisha.
She suggests that these food delivery apps should look for restaurants and food outlets that are in and around the particular place of delivery so they can save up on the travel cost that's reflected as convenience charge or delivery charge.
"I have reduced the use of these apps and would rather pick up something on my way back from office. In fact, I have seen a few people who have stopped using this services," she adds.
Soma Bhattacharjee, who works with an advertising organisation, says, "I have stopped using these services because they started charging a lot. I'd rather choose a service that doesn't bother charging extra (in the name of delivery and convenience charge). I actually don't get the point of me paying extra incase the bill is not above a particular amount. So, I only use these services when I know that the total bill will be more than that amount."
She adds, "People have enough and more options these days and honestly, I don't understand that if other apps can deliver food with charging anything extra, why some of them can't. I would order food directly from a restaurant than use these services," she adds.
Terming it as 'definitely annoying', Don Mathew, a programme manager, is one of those who orders food everyday and says it is upsetting to see how the small price of a food item ends up becoming just double by applying the extra charges.
"To avoid the delivery charges, Isometimes order two meals at a time (as some of these apps charge Rs 30 rupees extra if your order is less than Rs 250). The thing is that these apps are convenient, especially after work, and it is always a pleasure to have your food delivered to your doorstep," says Don. However, he does feel that these services are taking people for granted. "I sometimes order from a local hotel that doesn't charge anything extra but only the price of the item. Also, there are other tiffin services available that people can go for," he opines.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
There was a time when people used to step out of their comfort zone to get their food parcelled. And then came the concept of 'convenience at your doorstep’. With a promise to provide fresh food within minutes, this concept was well-received as there was a gradual change in people’s lifestyle as well. Slowly, many got used to the luxury.
However, the scenario is slowly changing as many of these food delivery apps have started including hefty service charges which tends to increase the overall price of the order. Though the service has its own advantages, it has a fair share of disadvantages too.
Olivia Phoebe, a content writer, orders at least one of her meals through such apps. Since she lives in a PG which doesn’t provide lunch, ordering the meal is a part of her routine now.
"I would order food almost everyday as it is easier to order online than cook in the PG.
However, this used to be feasible, but now I think twice before placing an order. The list of taxes and other extra charges end up being sky high and it’s no more convenient,” says Olivia.
As an alternative, she has found a roadside shop from where she picks up a packet of buns for lunch. There are also times when she either skips breakfast and lunch and instead, has a brunch if it gets too expensive.
"The extra charges included in these services have made it an expensive affair and the providers should realise that not everyone can afford it. They should work on this before people start opting for other alternatives. They should abide by the terms and conditions that they started off with,” she adds.
Highlighting that people have gotten very used to this comfort, Sirisha Polisetty says that earlier, she used to go out and get food for herself but with the convenience of doorstep delivery, she has perhaps become too lazy to step out after a tiring day at work. "I used to order twice or thrice a day but over a period of time, I took note of the amount of money I spent only on food. A piece of idli that would cost, say Rs 25, would come up to Rs 80 by the end of the checkout which is insane. And at the end of the month, it does matter,” says Sirisha.
She suggests that these food delivery apps should look for restaurants and food outlets that are in and around the particular place of delivery so they can save up on the travel cost that’s reflected as convenience charge or delivery charge.
"I have reduced the use of these apps and would rather pick up something on my way back from office. In fact, I have seen a few people who have stopped using this services,” she adds.
Soma Bhattacharjee, who works with an advertising organisation, says, "I have stopped using these services because they started charging a lot. I’d rather choose a service that doesn’t bother charging extra (in the name of delivery and convenience charge). I actually don’t get the point of me paying extra incase the bill is not above a particular amount. So, I only use these services when I know that the total bill will be more than that amount.”
She adds, "People have enough and more options these days and honestly, I don’t understand that if other apps can deliver food with charging anything extra, why some of them can’t. I would order food directly from a restaurant than use these services,” she adds.
Terming it as 'definitely annoying’, Don Mathew, a programme manager, is one of those who orders food everyday and says it is upsetting to see how the small price of a food item ends up becoming just double by applying the extra charges.
"To avoid the delivery charges, I sometimes order two meals at a time (as some of these apps charge Rs 30 rupees extra if your order is less than Rs 250). The thing is that these apps are convenient, especially after work, and it is always a pleasure to have your food delivered to your doorstep,” says Don. However, he does feel that these services are taking people for granted. "I sometimes order from a local hotel that doesn’t charge anything extra but only the price of the item. Also, there are other tiffin services available that people can go for,” he opines.
However, the scenario is slowly changing as many of these food delivery apps have started including hefty service charges which tends to increase the overall price of the order. Though the service has its own advantages, it has a fair share of disadvantages too.
Olivia Phoebe, a content writer, orders at least one of her meals through such apps. Since she lives in a PG which doesn't provide lunch, ordering the meal is a part of her routine now.
"Iwould order food almost everyday as it is easier to order online than cook in the PG.
However, this used to be feasible, but now I think twice before placing an order. The list of taxes and other extra charges end up being sky high and it's no more convenient," says Olivia.
As an alternative, she has found a roadside shop from where she picks up a packet of buns for lunch. There are also times when she either skips breakfast and lunch and instead, has a brunch if it gets too expensive.
"The extra charges included in these services have made it an expensive affair and the providers should realise that not everyone can afford it. They should work on this before people start opting for other alternatives. They should abide by the terms and conditions that they started off with," she adds.
Highlighting that people have gotten very used to this comfort, Sirisha Polisetty says that earlier, she used to go out and get food for herself but with the convenience of doorstep delivery, she has perhaps become too lazy to step out after a tiring day at work. "I used to order twice or thrice a day but over a period of time, Itook note of the amount of money I spent only on food. A piece of idli that would cost, say Rs 25, would come up to Rs 80 by the end of the checkout which is insane. And at the end of the month, it does matter," says Sirisha.
She suggests that these food delivery apps should look for restaurants and food outlets that are in and around the particular place of delivery so they can save up on the travel cost that's reflected as convenience charge or delivery charge.
"I have reduced the use of these apps and would rather pick up something on my way back from office. In fact, I have seen a few people who have stopped using this services," she adds.
Soma Bhattacharjee, who works with an advertising organisation, says, "I have stopped using these services because they started charging a lot. I'd rather choose a service that doesn't bother charging extra (in the name of delivery and convenience charge). I actually don't get the point of me paying extra incase the bill is not above a particular amount. So, I only use these services when I know that the total bill will be more than that amount."
She adds, "People have enough and more options these days and honestly, I don't understand that if other apps can deliver food with charging anything extra, why some of them can't. I would order food directly from a restaurant than use these services," she adds.
Terming it as 'definitely annoying', Don Mathew, a programme manager, is one of those who orders food everyday and says it is upsetting to see how the small price of a food item ends up becoming just double by applying the extra charges.
"To avoid the delivery charges, Isometimes order two meals at a time (as some of these apps charge Rs 30 rupees extra if your order is less than Rs 250). The thing is that these apps are convenient, especially after work, and it is always a pleasure to have your food delivered to your doorstep," says Don. However, he does feel that these services are taking people for granted. "I sometimes order from a local hotel that doesn't charge anything extra but only the price of the item. Also, there are other tiffin services available that people can go for," he opines.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
There was a time when people used to step out of their comfort zone to get their food parcelled. And then came the concept of 'convenience at your doorstep’. With a promise to provide fresh food within minutes, this concept was well-received as there was a gradual change in people’s lifestyle as well. Slowly, many got used to the luxury. However, the scenario is slowly changing as many of these food delivery apps have started including hefty service charges which tends to increase the overall price of the order. Though the service has its own advantages, it has a fair share of disadvantages too.
Olivia Phoebe, a content writer, orders at least one of her meals through such apps. Since she lives in a PG which doesn’t provide lunch, ordering the meal is a part of her routine now.
"I would order food almost everyday as it is easier to order online than cook in the PG.
However, this used to be feasible, but now I think twice before placing an order. The list of taxes and other extra charges end up being sky high and it’s no more convenient,” says Olivia.
As an alternative, she has found a roadside shop from where she picks up a packet of buns for lunch. There are also times when she either skips breakfast and lunch and instead, has a brunch if it gets too expensive.
"The extra charges included in these services have made it an expensive affair and the providers should realise that not everyone can afford it. They should work on this before people start opting for other alternatives. They should abide by the terms and conditions that they started off with,” she adds.
Highlighting that people have gotten very used to this comfort, Sirisha Polisetty says that earlier, she used to go out and get food for herself but with the convenience of doorstep delivery, she has perhaps become too lazy to step out after a tiring day at work. "I used to order twice or thrice a day but over a period of time, I took note of the amount of money I spent only on food. A piece of idli that would cost, say Rs 25, would come up to Rs 80 by the end of the checkout which is insane. And at the end of the month, it does matter,” says Sirisha.
She suggests that these food delivery apps should look for restaurants and food outlets that are in and around the particular place of delivery so they can save up on the travel cost that’s reflected as convenience charge or delivery charge.
"I have reduced the use of these apps and would rather pick up something on my way back from office. In fact, I have seen a few people who have stopped using this services,” she adds.
Soma Bhattacharjee, who works with an advertising organisation, says, "I have stopped using these services because they started charging a lot. I’d rather choose a service that doesn’t bother charging extra (in the name of delivery and convenience charge). I actually don’t get the point of me paying extra incase the bill is not above a particular amount. So, I only use these services when I know that the total bill will be more than that amount.”
She adds, "People have enough and more options these days and honestly, I don’t understand that if other apps can deliver food with charging anything extra, why some of them can’t. I would order food directly from a restaurant than use these services,” she adds.
Terming it as 'definitely annoying’, Don Mathew, a programme manager, is one of those who orders food everyday and says it is upsetting to see how the small price of a food item ends up becoming just double by applying the extra charges.
"To avoid the delivery charges, I sometimes order two meals at a time (as some of these apps charge Rs 30 rupees extra if your order is less than Rs 250). The thing is that these apps are convenient, especially after work, and it is always a pleasure to have your food delivered to your doorstep,” says Don. However, he does feel that these services are taking people for granted. "I sometimes order from a local hotel that doesn’t charge anything extra but only the price of the item. Also, there are other tiffin services available that people can go for,” he opines.