Online shoppers across India are once again being urged to stay alert as the government has officially warned against hidden fees, commonly known as drip pricing, on popular platforms. From Flipkart’s Big Billion Days and Amazon’s Great Indian Festival to everyday orders on Swiggy and Zepto, customers are often lured by flashy discounts only to end up paying higher final prices after checkout.
The government has now called out this deceptive practice and reminded users that they have the right to report such cases directly through the National Consumer Helpline.
What is drip pricing and why it matters
Drip pricing refers to the addition of hidden charges or service fees that appear only at the end of an online transaction. For instance, a product may be listed at a discounted rate of Rs 6000, but as you proceed to checkout, the price suddenly increases because of convenience charges or platform service fees. The result is that customers end up paying almost the same as the original price despite the displayed discount.
This tactic has been widely criticized as a dark pattern — a manipulative digital practice that tricks consumers into spending more. The government’s alert aims to curb such deceptive strategies and push companies to display full prices transparently from the start.
Other common pricing traps to watch for
Several online platforms have been caught using subtle ways to inflate final bills. Sometimes, users notice a promotional banner saying “no delivery charge,” yet the final invoice still includes a handling fee. In other cases, GST cuts are not reflected in the displayed price, or a new subscription unexpectedly adds a small processing fee. These hidden charges often go unnoticed, making drip pricing one of the most common and frustrating online tricks faced by Indian consumers.
How to report hidden fees and file a complaint
To make the complaint process easier, the government has empowered the National Consumer Helpline to take direct action against platforms that use unfair pricing tactics. Anyone can lodge a complaint by simply calling 1915 and reporting the product or service in question. Complaints can also be registered online through the National Consumer Helpline portal or mobile app.
Officials said that taking prompt action helps ensure accountability among online sellers and protects consumers from being overcharged. By raising complaints collectively, users can help create pressure for more transparent pricing practices across the e-commerce and food delivery industries.
Hidden fees might look small at first glance, but when multiplied by millions of users, they create massive profits for platforms at the expense of consumer trust. With the government’s warning and easy complaint channels now active, shoppers are encouraged to stay vigilant and report suspicious charges instantly.
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