How does the #LogOut campaign affect you as a Zomato Gold user?

Lately, Zomato has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Accused of deep discounting practices, hundreds of restaurants launched a movement called the #LogOut campaign in retaliation against the extremely low prices and discounts offered under Zomato Gold membership programme.

The feud between Zomato and restaurants seems unlikely to end anytime soon. Let’s find out how are we, the foodies, caught in this brawl.[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”p” question-0=”Can I use Zomato Gold in restaurants?” answer-0=”Yes, users can still buy Zomato Gold membership for Rs 1800 per annum.” image-0=”” headline-1=”p” question-1=”How to file a complaint with Zomato?” answer-1=”You can fill a complaint submission form on Zomato’s website or chat with a customer care executive on the Zomato App. You can also submit and manage your complaint via Resolver.” image-1=”” headline-2=”p” question-2=”Is Zomato Gold trial membership still active?” answer-2=”No, as per Zomato Gold’s new policy, trial memberships have been cancelled.” image-2=”” headline-3=”p” question-3=”Can a partner restaurant deny Zomato Gold discounts?” answer-3=”Due to the #LogOut movement, 2500 restaurants have pulled out of the Gold programme. The remaining eateries still have to provide you discount under Gold membership as per the terms & conditions.” image-3=”” count=”4″ html=”false” css_class=””]

Is your Zomato Gold membership is not valuable now?

Calling discounts an addiction, the NRAI has decided to detox us consumers. Many other food aggregators have modified their discounting tactics to please restaurants instead of consumers.

Now that Zomato has discontinued trial Gold membership offer, the people who recently bought it will no longer be able to enjoy the 1+1 benefits! Also, 38% restaurants have already withdrawn from the Zomato Gold programme. This situation is not really favourable for foodies.

Some partner restaurants are denying discounts and offers to customers under Zomato Gold membership by stating that they have joined the movement. Before you dine out, call and confirm whether a restaurant is still offering discounts- and save yourself an embarrasing situation!

However, if you value convenience over cost, you have nothing to worry about.

On August 14, the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) started a #LogOut campaign in retaliation to the deep discounting tactics used by major restaurant aggregators like Nearbuy, Dineout, MagicPin, EazyDiner, Zomato, etc. It urged participating restaurants to opt out of the ‘unjust discount practice’.

Eventually, everyone decided to give in to the association’s demands except Zomato. 2500 restaurants have participated and boycotted the Gold programme till date, including some of the country’s leading F&B brands—the Olive Group, Indigo Deli, Social, and others.

The protest was also supported by the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI).

Why did the #LogOut movement start against Zomato Gold?

Zomato Gold used to be an exclusive, ‘invite-only’ programme. Partner restaurants were told that the discounts would be available to a chosen few (which was supposed to be capped at 10,000).

Earlier only 50 restaurants came aboard on the ‘niche club’. Today, 6500 restaurants stand as Zomato Gold partner members with a total of 1.1 million subscribers.

Eventually, Gold membership became available to anyone who was willing to purchase.

Have a complaint with Zomato Gold? Start your case here.

What is Zomato’s stand on the whole situation?

Initially, Zomato asked protesting Gold restaurant partners to serve a 45-day notice period before logging out, however this sparked more rift.

Zomato’s head Deepinder Goyal has now issued a statement vowing to change the current Gold discounting policy. This is the change Zomato has proposed which will affect your Gold membership:

1. Only one unlock can be made by a user per day
2. Restriction of a user’s login ID to a single mobile device at a time to curb login sharing
3. Maximum number of unlocks will be limited two per table
4. Waiver of sign-up fee for restaurants who logged out during the protest
5. Non-reduction of Gold membership fee from Rs 1,800 per annum.
6. Discontinuation of trial packs for Gold that were recently launched.

This change is effective from September 15. However, the restaurants body snubbed the revision, citing it as another tactic to dupe restaurants. And finally, Zomato decided to logout of peace-making talks- leaving the final choice to restaurants.

The issue does not seem to die down anytime soon. Meanwhile, we hope you enjoy the benefits while you can.

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