Is the packaging fee for takeout skewers charged based on the skewers? Consumer Protection Commission investigates takeout | packaging | skewers
Delivery packaging is expensive
Merchants repeatedly charge packaging fees
The packaging fees charged by different platforms vary in price
.
On June 7th, the Shanghai Consumer Rights Protection Committee
Announcement of Special Research Results on Takeout Packaging Fees
The Shanghai Consumer Protection Commission pointed out that
Lack of specific charging rules for takeaway packaging
Causing three pain points
Pain point one
Delivery packaging is expensive
The "plastic ban and restriction order" requires operators not to provide disposable plastic tableware for free. It is understandable that merchants who join the food delivery platform charge different packaging fees based on the material and cost of the packaging. As a one-time auxiliary item for takeout orders, packaging should not only be safe and hygienic, but also be reasonably priced to allow consumers to pay packaging fees that are much higher than the actual cost. The rationality of this remains to be debated.
Pain point two
Merchants charge packaging fees on a per piece basis
For example, a food delivery platform called "Charcoal Workshop Barbecue Market" charges packaging fees ranging from 0.1 yuan to 0.5 yuan per string of takeout. They place an order for 42 skewers, and the total packaging fee reaches 11.7 yuan. However, they only receive 2 takeout packaging boxes. In the eyes of many consumers, using fewer packaging boxes is supported, but the way packaging fees are charged makes consumers feel unreasonable.
Pain point three
Merchants charge packaging fees at different prices on different platforms
For example, the "Packaging Fee Description" of a delivery platform named "Barbie Mantou Xiaolongbao" shows that "charge by order, 2 yuan per order". However, after selecting the same dish, the merchant's takeaway packaging fee on another delivery platform was 3 yuan, and the "packaging fee description" displayed a "per piece" charging method.
The Shanghai Consumer Protection Commission pointed out that the reason for the three pain points mentioned above is that there is currently only a reason for charging for takeaway packaging and no detailed rules for charging.
The Shanghai Consumer Protection Commission believes that whether through legislative regulations or platform guidance, more detailed rules for the collection of takeaway packaging should be formulated, regulating key content such as the name, material, specifications, unit price, packaging methods for different categories of food, and the collection rules for packaging fees.
The reporter noticed that currently, the cost of takeout packaging is borne by consumers. Some businesses, in order to better ensure the color, aroma, and taste of food, and improve the consumer experience, will try to choose good and expensive packaging materials as much as possible.
The Shanghai Consumer Protection Commission has also noticed that businesses are actually selling packaging materials while selling takeout. The packaging materials themselves can also bring profits to businesses, and generally speaking, the more expensive the packaging materials, the greater the profit margin. Therefore, businesses may use more or more expensive packaging materials for profit. However, for consumers who lack a sense of ceremony or have no insulation needs in close proximity, it is actually a waste.
Merchants are actually selling packaging while selling takeout
Shanghai Consumer Protection Commission calls for
Give consumers the right to choose delivery packaging
Merchants can provide different levels of packaging for consumers to choose from on the menu page, or set options for merging dish packaging. Simply save money, high-end ones spend more money. Through consumer choices, it can effectively reduce the quantity of takeout packaging and prevent waste.