Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
“Stop worrying about daily chores. Verified help arrives in 10 minutes for just Rs 49.”
That was the promise made to consumers when apps such as Urban Company, Pronto and Snabbit introduced their instant househelp services – quick assistance at your doorstep, at a nominal price and with no hidden charges.
It is hardly surprising that many urban households have come to rely on these services, thanks to the sheer convenience they offer. However, with Diwali just around the corner, as households gear up for the annual cleaning spree and other festive preparations, demand for instant maid services is also picking up. And so are the prices.
The price hike is almost double
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The festive rush appears to have come at a cost for consumers, with prices nearly doubling in some cases. A 60-minute slot on Snabbit, for instance, is currently priced at around Rs 209, excluding taxes.
We checked the availability and pricing of instant househelp services in South Delhi, particularly in its upscale neighbourhoods, and found that slots were already limited, especially for Sunday. Those that were available, particularly over the weekend, came at a considerably higher price.
On Snabbit, a 90-minute slot was priced at Rs 339, while a 120-minute booking cost around Rs 429. Those looking to extend the service to four hours would have to shell out approximately Rs 849. All prices are exclusive of taxes.
Pronto appeared relatively more affordable, with hourly services starting at Rs 129. However, the platform was charging an additional Rs 20 for certain slots, and availability remained limited.
Urban Company, meanwhile, was charging around Rs 189 for a 60-minute booking, excluding taxes. A four-hour booking cost upwards of Rs 1,129. Unlike the other platforms, however, there were several slots available on Saturday.
Is it the same story in other cities?
We changed the location to Goregaon East in Mumbai to see whether consumers there were facing a similar price surge. The rates, however, were comparatively lower. Urban Company was charging approximately Rs 169 for an hour of service, while a four-hour booking cost around Rs 1,009.
On Snabbit, all available slots were sold out. Weekend slots were expected to open later this evening. Despite the higher prices in South Delhi, the limited availability suggests that demand for these services remains strong during the festive rush.
We checked prices in Hyderabad as well. The price for a 60-minute service starts from Rs 219 on Urban Company. Again, slots are limited.
Are consumers okay with paying more?
Not everyone appears to mind the higher prices, at least during the festive season.
Sunanda, who lives in Noida’s Cleo County, says she is willing to pay more to get household chores out of the way during the holidays.
“Look, I have to get my work done. This is also the time when workers can make some extra money. So, honestly, I don’t mind paying. However, I am not really sure what share of that money goes to the workers. If they are paid the additional amount, I don’t have a problem,” she says.
Baishali, who lives in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar, shares a similar view, but draws a distinction between festive pricing and what could eventually become the norm.
“As long as these are just festive prices, I am okay with it. But if overcharging and dynamic pricing become the norm, it’s a problem. I know people who have let go of their permanent househelp and now depend on these instant services. It then boils down to the same thing: keep the prices low until people get used to the service, and then cash in on it,” she says.
For now, at least, the festive-season price premium doesn’t seem to be putting everyone off. For consumers juggling Diwali preparations, the convenience of getting an extra pair of hands may still be worth paying more for. The bigger question is whether these higher prices will disappear once the festive rush is over.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
