Noida: Repeated complaints about stale, spoiled and allegedly expired grocery products delivered through quick-commerce platforms have raised concerns among consumers, with some customers questioning the quality-control and complaint-resolution mechanisms followed by these platforms.
Consumers alleged that receiving poor-quality products from Blinkit has become a recurring experience. According to the consumer, milk and milk-related products ordered through the platform have repeatedly arrived stale, developed a sour smell or had issues related to their expiry dates.
Ankita Sharma, Consumer explained that the problem is not restricted to dairy products and that sweets, fruits and vegetables have also been delivered in poor condition.
‘Repeated complaints and the refund process have become a daily source of stress’ – Consumer
Every day or every alternate day, I have to fight with customer-care executives over the quality of the products or for a refund. Instead of spending this time with my children and elderly family members, I am constantly writing complaints and following up for refunds.
Ankita Sharma, Consumer
Kaju katli allegedly found covered in fungus
The consumer recalled another incident from around three to four days ago when her husband ordered kaju katli from Blinkit as guests were expected at her residence.
She alleged that the Guests were coming to my house, so they ordered kaju katli from Blinkit. When it was opened, the kaju katli was full of fungus.
My family immediately contacted Blinkit’s customer-care team. The executive assured us that a refund would be initiated and that someone would visit to collect the product. Later, full amount was refunded after the long, tiring process. And to the utter dissatisfaction, no one came to collect the stale product.
Ankita Sharma, Consumer
The consumer questioned why a pickup was promised if no one was eventually sent to collect the allegedly spoiled product.
The kaju katli is still lying on my dining table. I am even afraid to give it to birds or animals. I will soon have to throw it in the garbage.
Ankita Sharma, Consumer
Jaggery and chana allegedly found spoiled
In another incident, a Blinkit regular customer ordered jaggery and chana last Tuesday to offer them to Hanumanji. According to her, the chana had gone bad and the jaggery was covered in fungus.
I again contacted Blinkit’s customer-care team to report the issue. I faced technical problems while submitting photographs and videos of the products. Whenever I try to upload photographs or videos as proof, the system hangs, everytime and no executive comes its bot who replies automated messages. Resultantly, the evidence does not reach the customer-care team properly.
Ankita Sharma, Consumer
The incident, she said, also caused considerable mental stress as she was getting late to visit her deity and make the offering.
“This is not just about money”
According to the consumer, the issue goes beyond the monetary value of the spoiled products.
This is not only about the wastage of money. This is about wastage of time. The precious time that I should be giving to my children is spent writing complaints, calling customer care and trying to get refunds. Elderly family members often question why we depend so heavily on quick-commerce platforms instead of buying products from local markets
Ankita Sharma, Consumer
She adds, “.”
Such platforms are often used because of urgent or last-minute requirements when it is not practical to leave home and visit a physical store.
Concern over children and elderly consumers
The consumer said she is particularly concerned about children and elderly people who may not always check manufacturing and expiry dates before consuming food products.
I am an alert person and I know that I have to check the dates before consuming something. But there are many elderly people and children who may consume a product immediately without checking it. If a spoiled or expired product is consumed, it can potentially be harmful to their health.
Ankita
She believes that food-quality concerns on quick-commerce platforms deserve closer scrutiny because the products are being supplied from dark stores and distribution facilities that consumers generally cannot inspect themselves.
Calls for inspection of quick-commerce stores
The consumer has appealed to the concerned departments and administration to conduct inspections of quick-commerce warehouses and stores and verify whether proper systems are being followed for stock rotation, expiry-date checks, storage conditions and disposal of spoiled products.
She has called for inspections not only of Blinkit but also of other quick-commerce platforms, including Instamart, Swiggy and Zomato, wherever complaints regarding food quality and expired products are received.
These companies are not only dealing with our money. They are dealing with our health and the health of our families. Our elderly, children and newborn babies can all be affected if food-quality standards are not properly maintained. I had raised concerns directly with Blinkit’s customer-care executives and questioned whether customers would have to uninstall the application before their complaints were taken seriously.
Ankita
Consumers demand stronger quality checks
The allegations raise questions about the responsibility of quick-commerce companies to ensure that products delivered to consumers are fresh, safe and within their stated shelf life.
Consumers also expect an effective grievance-redressal mechanism through which photographs and videos of defective products can be submitted without technical glitches and refunds or replacements can be processed promptly.
The consumer has appealed to the concerned authorities to take prompt action and conduct appropriate inspections wherever complaints of expired, spoiled or contaminated food products are reported.
Blinkit’s response to the specific allegations was not available at the time of publication. The company may be approached for its response regarding the alleged delivery of spoiled products, the promised pickup and the reported technical issues while submitting photographic and video evidence.