Vivek Barnwal, a Silicon Design Engineer at Google, has alleged that Zepto Café shows different food prices on different devices. He questions Zepto’s transparency and compliance with MRP rules in India.
Note: If this issue is resolved, the concerned brand or the complainant may contact us at support@choice4voice.com. After proper verification, we will either update this article as “Resolved” or delete it, ensuring fairness to both parties.
Complaint Summary : Zepto Complaint – Vivek Barnwal Exposes Price Discrepancy on Zepto Café
| Complainant | Vivek Barnwal |
|---|---|
| Complaint Type | Price Discrepancy / Misleading Pricing |
| Company Name | Zepto |
| Issue Reported | Different prices for the same food item across devices (iOS vs Android) |
| Key Concerns | Transparency, consumer rights, misleading discounts, compliance with MRP rules |
| Action Requested | Clarification on pricing, adherence to MRP regulations, assurance of uniform pricing |
Full Complaint Details
Vivek Barnwal, a verified professional and Silicon Design Engineer at Google, has raised serious concerns against Zepto regarding pricing discrepancies on its Zepto Café app.
According to Vivek, he noticed that a samosa item was listed at different prices on his iPhone vs Pixel device. To verify if it was a glitch, he and his colleagues at the Google Bangalore office cross-checked the same item across four phones (a mix of iOS and Android). Shockingly, the same product displayed four different prices for the same location and same time.
Even more concerning, the app listed the food item’s “original price” as ₹659, raising questions about inflated MRPs and misleading discounts.
Vivek questions how such massive discounts are shown, and whether Zepto is complying with India’s MRP (Maximum Retail Price) regulations. His post emphasizes that:
“Investor ka paisa free ka nahi hai, to consumer ka paisa bhi free ka nahi hai.”
This reflects his strong stance that consumers’ money must be respected, and platforms cannot manipulate pricing without accountability.
Why This Case Matters
- Consumer Deception – Different pricing for the same product undermines consumer trust.
- MRP Compliance – Inflated “original prices” may mislead customers about discounts.
- Lack of Transparency – Digital platforms must maintain consistent pricing across devices.
- Consumer Protection – Such cases highlight gaps in monitoring of e-commerce food aggregators.
Legal and Consumer Remedies
- File a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 for unfair trade practices.
- Report misleading MRP displays to the Legal Metrology Department.
- Escalate the case to the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) if discounts are misleading.
- Approach the National Consumer Helpline (NCH – 1800-11-4000 / consumerhelpline.gov.in) for redressal.
About Zepto
- Founded: 2021
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Industry: Quick-commerce & grocery delivery
- Founders: Aadit Palicha & Kaivalya Vohra
- Funding: Backed by top global investors, positioned as one of India’s fastest-growing startups
Zepto has become a household name in quick deliveries, but issues like opaque pricing, delivery delays, and customer service concerns have increasingly come to light.
How Choice4Voice.com Helps
At Choice4Voice.com, we highlight consumer grievances like that of Vivek Barnwal to ensure corporations maintain accountability.
✔ Publish verified complaints within 24 hours
✔ Ensure visibility via LinkedIn & other platforms
✔ Help consumers with legal escalation guidance
👉 Submit your complaint here: https://choice4voice.com/submit-your-complaint/
Original LinkedIn Post
Read Vivek Barnwal’s LinkedIn Post Here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who raised this complaint?
Vivek Barnwal, a Silicon Design Engineer at Google.
Q2. What was the issue with Zepto Café?
Different prices for the same food item across iOS and Android devices.
Q3. How was the issue verified?
Checked live across four phones by Vivek and his colleagues at Google Bangalore.
Q4. What was unusual about the price?
The item showed an original price of ₹659, raising doubts about inflated MRPs.
Q5. Why is this a consumer rights concern?
Because consumers may be misled into believing they are receiving larger discounts.
Q6. Does Indian law regulate such practices?
Yes, under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules and Consumer Protection Act.
Q7. What action can consumers take?
They can approach the Consumer Court, NCH, or ASCI for resolution.
Q8. Can online platforms charge different prices by device?
No, doing so without transparency may be considered unfair trade practice.
Q9. Why did Vivek call this “not cool”?
Because differential pricing feels deceptive and breaks consumer trust.
Q10. Can Zepto show inflated original prices?
No, inflated MRPs violate transparency and could attract regulatory action.
Q11. What role does ASCI play here?
ASCI ensures that advertising and promotional claims are not misleading.
Q12. How does RBI or SEBI come into play?
Not directly, unless payment fraud or investor misrepresentation is involved.
Q13. Can this be considered digital fraud?
If proven intentional, it may qualify as misrepresentation or unfair trade practice.
Q14. How are discounts regulated in India?
Discounts must be based on actual prices, not artificially inflated MRPs.
Q15. Can device-based price variation be a technical glitch?
Possible, but consistent variation across multiple devices raises doubts.
Q16. What loss did the consumer suffer?
Monetary loss may be small, but the principle of transparency is at stake.
Q17. How does this affect other Zepto users?
They may unknowingly be paying more than other users for the same item.
Q18. What can Zepto do to restore trust?
Clarify pricing policy, fix technical issues, and ensure uniform MRP display.
Q19. Is there a precedent of similar cases?
Yes, e-commerce players like Amazon and Flipkart have faced scrutiny for inflated MRPs.
Q20. How does Choice4Voice.com support such cases?
By publishing complaints, raising awareness, and guiding escalation against unfair corporate practices.
