India’s quick-commerce boom has hit a roadblock — and this time, it’s not due to logistics. Popular grocery delivery platform Zepto, co-founded by Stanford dropouts Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, is facing massive backlash on Reddit. A community named ‘F* Zepto’**, launched in January 2025, has already attracted nearly 10,000 members, all calling out what they claim are unethical app practices.
From misleading discounts to hidden fees, and fake promotional cash, the subreddit is becoming a digital protest ground for disgruntled Zepto users. This growing movement reflects a larger sentiment of frustration towards dark patterns and a lack of transparency in India’s quick-commerce ecosystem.
What Is the ‘F* Zepto’ Subreddit and Why Is It Growing So Fast?
Reddit, the global forum for public discourse, is often the first place where consumer discontent surfaces. The ‘F* Zepto’ subreddit functions as a watchdog community where users report everything from price manipulation to unresponsive customer support.
According to its community bio, the group aims to “hold Zepto accountable” by exposing:
- Dark patterns in the user interface
- Hidden fees and deceptive pricing
- MRP manipulation on grocery items
- Unapplied promo offers like “Zepto Cash”
- Delayed or missing deliveries
- Poor quality control (e.g., expired or rotten items)
In under five months, the group has surpassed 9,200+ active members, with dozens of new complaint threads appearing every day.
Zepto: From 10-Minute Deliveries to 10,000 Complaints
Founded in 2021, Zepto entered the Indian quick-commerce space with the bold promise of delivering groceries in 10 minutes. Competing with giants like Blinkit (by Zomato) and Instamart (by Swiggy), the startup quickly rose to fame, especially among urban millennials and Gen Z consumers.
However, as the user base expanded, so did the cracks in its customer experience. The app, which once promised speed and savings, is now being accused of exploiting its user base through manipulative pricing strategies.
Top Complaints Flooding the Subreddit
1. Promotional “Zepto Cash” Doesn’t Work as Advertised
One of the most common complaints is the misleading nature of Zepto Cash. While the app advertises a promotional credit of ₹100 or more for user loyalty or referrals, customers say they cannot fully redeem it.
Example Complaint: “I had ₹100 Zepto Cash but my bill only reduced by ₹45. What’s the point?”
This selective application of discounts has left many feeling cheated, sparking debates around false advertising.
2. Multiple Hidden Fees That Inflate Bills
Users report encountering a confusing array of extra charges at checkout, which dramatically increase the final bill amount. These include:
- Rain Fee
- Cash Handling Fee (₹10 or more)
- Item Handling Cost
- Convenience Fee
- Small Cart Fee
- Processing Fee
- Additional GST on fees
These charges are often not transparently displayed during product selection, and only surface at the payment stage, leading to accusations of bait-and-switch tactics.
3. MRP Manipulation and Overpricing
Some Reddit users have posted screenshots showing items priced above the printed Maximum Retail Price (MRP). In India, this is a clear violation of consumer protection laws.
Consumer Concern: “I ordered Maggi, printed MRP ₹14, charged ₹17. Why?”
This kind of pricing trickery has especially angered budget-conscious users who rely on Zepto for daily essentials.
4. Delayed or No Deliveries
Despite branding itself as a 10-minute delivery service, numerous posts highlight how orders arrive late, sometimes by hours, or are canceled without explanation.
Consumer Concern: “Placed an order at 8 PM, got it at 9:45 PM. What’s the point of quick commerce?”
This unreliability erodes the very foundation of instant commerce, leading many to switch back to traditional platforms.
5. Poor Customer Service and Return Experience
Rotten fruits, expired packaged goods, and damaged items are also frequently reported. Worse yet, users claim that Zepto’s customer service is either unreachable or unhelpful, especially for returns and refunds.
Consumer Concern: “Received spoiled milk, raised a ticket — no response for 3 days.”
Why This Subreddit Matters?
Unlike general complaint pages or reviews, this dedicated Reddit community serves as a powerful lens into collective consumer sentiment. The volume, consistency, and specificity of complaints suggest a pattern, not just isolated incidents.
Such communities often go on to shape public perception, influence media narratives, and even regulatory investigations. Brands that ignore them do so at their own peril.
How Zepto’s Rivals Are Faring?
Interestingly, competitors like Blinkit and Instamart also have user forums, but none has attracted the kind of backlash Zepto is seeing. There are no similarly scaled subreddits dedicated to criticizing other players in the quick-commerce space.
This places Zepto in a uniquely negative spotlight, one that could impact its user retention, investor confidence, and even regulatory scrutiny in the coming months.
What Zepto Has Said So Far?
As of now, Zepto has not issued an official statement in response to the subreddit or the rising number of complaints.
Expert Take: Why This Matters for the Industry?
Consumer rights activists and e-commerce analysts are closely watching the situation. Here’s why this Reddit uprising is a wake-up call for the entire quick-commerce sector:
- Transparency is non-negotiable: Hidden fees and manipulated prices won’t go unnoticed for long.
- Trust is hard to win back: Once customers feel betrayed, even strong discounts can’t repair the damage.
- Tech-savvy users speak out: Today’s customers know their rights — and how to amplify them online.
Conclusion:
Zepto may have won hearts with its fast deliveries in the past, but the present tells a different story. With nearly 10,000 Redditors uniting under the banner of transparency and accountability, the company now faces a serious image crisis.
If Zepto doesn’t respond soon — and more importantly, fix its app practices — it risks losing not just loyal users, but also its place in India’s booming quick-commerce market.
Power Takeaways for Readers
- Always read the fine print before using promotional offers
- Check your bill carefully for any unauthorized charges
- Use Reddit and social media to voice grievances and join communities
- Support businesses that value transparency and ethics
