this post was submitted on 16 Aug 2023
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The issue is they're hiding it. If a business felt they were totally on the up-and-up, they wouldn't try so hard to hide it.
I agree that undoing this would pretty much certainly mean they raise the actual rate they charge customers, but I feel that's a far better system. Even if that charge wasn't a flat charge and was like, 10% of the total or whatever the math currently works out to.
Basically, if they need to charge more money, do it. Don't scam people into thinking groceries are more than they are. A disclaimer that prices have said 10% markup would do.
I'd agree with you if it was expected that prices would go up.
If I buy that HDMI cable for 9.99 at a store, I know that some of that money is going towards the store's upkeep, employees, all that.
If I bought that cable at some gas station close to my house for 14.99, I know I could get it for cheaper, so I know I'm paying 5 extra for some convenience.
If I bought the same cable for 12.99 and a 5$ convenience fee from a delivery app, and learn it was a 9.99 cable, I was told the convenience fee was 5, but I paid 7 for convenience. I'm mad, because I was lied to.
It's not about the higher charges. Not directly. It's about the fact that I already covered the purchase price for the product and the service charge for delivery, but then I was secretly charged even more.
It's about the deception. Like when a thing is normally 40$ but then it goes on sale, so the tag reads "~80$~ 49.99$"
Yeah that's the whole discussion. Instacart charges fees for its use but it also doesn't show customers the receipt it got from the store, because the prices it says goods cost it don't match what it paid.
Maybe it's regional, but Instacart use in my area straight up says which stores are priced the same or which are priced at a premium when you click on it. It isn't hidden at all.
If they're honest about it then it's dumb to complain. I dunno though, I can't afford to spend extra and have to get my own groceries