Zomato Faces Backlash Over ₹150 Packaging Charge on ₹219 Order

0
4135

In the cutthroat world of food delivery, where a few extra rupees can turn a meal into a mood-killer, one customer’s fury over a whopping packaging fee has ignited a firestorm on social media. Bunny Punia, a Delhi-based user, took to X to slam Zomato after being slapped with a ₹150 packaging charge on a modest ₹219 order from Raj Bhog – that’s nearly 70% of the bill for what he called a “new scam.”

His screenshot-fueled rant, complete with an ironic “You saved Rs 264” banner, has racked up thousands of views, drawing sharp jabs at the app’s transparency and sparking a broader backlash on hidden fees. If you’re here for the Zomato packaging charge complaint that’s bubbling over in November 2025, this isn’t just a one-off gripe – it’s a symptom of the simmering frustration with delivery giants’ add-ons, where restaurants call the shots but platforms catch the flak. From Bunny’s biting “Wah re Zomato wah” to the company’s calm clarification, relive the row that’s got everyone rethinking their next swipe-right for samosas.

The Fiery X Post: Bunny Punia’s “New Scam” Screenshot That Stung

It was a routine dinner dash gone wrong. Bunny Punia placed an order for a ₹219 dish from the popular Raj Bhog restaurant via Zomato, expecting a quick fix to his hunger pangs. What arrived? Not just the food, but a bill breakdown that left him boiling: A staggering ₹150 packaging charge tacked on – more than two-thirds of the item’s price. Spotting the red flag, Bunny fired up X (formerly Twitter) with a screenshot of the order summary, zooming in on the fee fiasco.

His post, timestamped November 18, 2025, didn’t mince words:

Have a look at the original tweet:

The attached image? A crystal-clear bill showing the dish at ₹219, the packaging levy at ₹150, and – in a twist of cruel irony – a Zomato banner proclaiming “You saved Rs 264.” Ouch. Bunny’s “bucks” slip (a casual Americanism in Indian English) added to the authenticity, but it was the sheer disproportion that detonated the debate: How does wrapping a ₹219 meal cost more than the meal itself?

The tweet, aimed at Zomato’s official handles, wasn’t just a vent – it was a viral volley, quickly amassing likes, retweets, and replies from fellow foodies fed up with fee creep.

Zomato’s Cool-Headed Clarification: “Packaging Charges Are Decided Solely by Our Restaurant Partners”

Zomato Care, the app’s customer service arm, didn’t dodge the drama – they dove in with a direct reply within hours, aiming to defuse the fuse.

The response struck a balance: Acknowledging the customer’s gripe while shifting spotlight to the restaurant’s role in fee-setting. No blanket blame, no brush-off – just an offer to investigate, complete with a DM nudge for details. It’s Zomato’s standard playbook in such spats: Empathize, explain, escalate if needed. But did it douse the fire? Not quite – the thread kept crackling with calls for more accountability.

As of November 20, 2025, the exchange has drawn over 5,000 interactions, with Bunny’s post serving as a spark for similar stories.

Social Media Sparks: Sarcasm, Surprise, and “Saved Rs 264” Snark

Bunny’s blast didn’t simmer in silence – it sizzled across X, pulling in a parade of reactions that ranged from righteous rage to rueful chuckles. The “You saved Rs 264” banner? Pure comedic cruelty, spawning memes and mockery that amplified the absurdity.

  • Sarcasm Supreme: “150 bucks for packaging? Must be gold-plated boxes. Wah re Zomato wah – saving us from bankruptcy one fee at a time!” – A top reply with 1.2K likes, echoing Bunny’s opener.
  • Surprise Symphony: “70% for packing? I thought the food was the main course. Zomato, this is next-level upselling!” – 800 retweets, tagging restaurant chains for chorus.
  • Snark on “Bucks”: “Bunny using ‘bucks’ in India? Peak globalization – or just Zomato’s American dream fees?” – Light-hearted jab, 500 shares, turning the tweet’s quirk into quip.
  • Call for Clarity: “Restaurants set it? Fine, but Zomato, show breakdowns upfront. No more post-pay shocks.” – Constructive critique, 400 replies pushing for policy tweaks.

The buzz? A blend of banter and bite, with users unearthing past rants on similar stings – from ₹50 napkin fees to ₹100 “convenience” cons. By November 20, 2025, the thread’s a testament to collective chagrin, trending locally as #ZomatoPackagingScam.

The Bigger Bill: Why Packaging Fees Pack a Punch in Delivery Drama

Bunny’s beef isn’t bottled in isolation – it’s the frothy top of a fee fiasco that’s been fermenting since Zomato’s pandemic boom. Packaging charges, as the company clarified, are indeed restaurant-driven: Meant to offset costs for sturdy boxes, eco-bags, or hygiene hurdles (think insulated coolers for curries). Raj Bhog, a sweets specialist, might justify the ₹150 for premium wrapping – but at 70% of a ₹219 tab, it tastes like overkill.

Zomato’s ecosystem? A fee feast: Delivery (₹40-60), platform (₹20-30), taxes (GST galore), and now these add-ons. Critics cry “con” – especially when bills balloon 50-100% beyond base price. The irony? That “saved Rs 264” tease mocks the math, turning savings into salt in the wound.

Resolution? Pending Bunny’s DM drop, but Zomato’s probe promise could prompt refunds or reviews. For users, it’s a nudge: Scan summaries pre-pay, tip transparently, and tweet if tweaked.

In 2025’s app-addled appetites, Bunny’s bold callout is a tasty takedown: Fees fair? Or foul play?

Faced a Zomato fee fiasco? Or got a hack for hidden costs? Spill in comments – tag a foodie friend for the feast of frustration.