I Hated Delivery Fees, So I Took Out... "Packaging Fee Is 2,500 Won"

Store Charging Packaging Fee Sparks Online Debate
"Small Amounts Add Up to a Burden," Some Say

As more consumers place takeout orders to save on significantly increased delivery fees, a story about a store charging a 'takeout fee' has sparked controversy.

On the 28th, a post titled 'What Happens When You Order Takeout to Save on Delivery Fees' went viral on multiple online communities.

[Photo by Online Community Capture]

The photo attached by user A shows a kiosk screen at the store displaying a message stating, "An additional 2,500 won takeout fee will be charged." A pointed out, "They charge delivery fees for delivery, and now they charge a separate takeout fee for takeout? At this rate, they might start charging table fees and dish fees if you eat in the store."

Most businesses do not list a 'takeout fee' when ordering delivery, but criticism has arisen because an additional fee is charged when customers pick up the order themselves.

Netizens criticized, saying, "Charging 2,500 won for a takeout fee is excessive." Comments included, "In the past, they used to give discounts or extra food for takeout," "Do we now have to bring our own containers for takeout?" and "Will they start charging dishwashing fees if we eat in the store?"

Similarly, in the self-employed online community 'Apeunikka Sajangida' (Because It Hurts, I'm the Boss), reactions such as "The takeout fee is hard to accept" were expressed. Opinions included, "I run a business too, but this is a bit much," "What kind of premium containers justify charging 2,500 won?" and "Do they also charge a separate takeout fee for delivery?"

On the other hand, some business owners complained, saying, "Although the container cost itself is small, the cumulative burden is significant." One owner lamented, "We encourage reusable containers and aim to reduce disposable products, so we charge about 1,000 won for takeout, but many consumers have resistance to this."

Surging Delivery Fee Burden... Strong Consumer Complaints

Photo by Yoon Dongju doso7@

Meanwhile, delivery fees, which used to be around 2,000 won, have risen to 5,000?6,000 won over the past few years, leading to strong dissatisfaction among delivery app users. According to a survey conducted by the Korea Consumer Agency in February this year targeting 1,950 delivery app users and 1,005 small business restaurant owners, 50.1% (977 people) and 75.9% (763 people) respectively responded that "delivery fees are expensive."

Last year, some franchise stores of the chicken franchise Kyochon Chicken raised delivery fees from 3,000 won to 4,000 won, sparking criticism over the price burden. Recently, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Service Federation Delivery Platform Labor Union demanded an increase in the basic delivery fee from 3,000 won to 4,000 won, bringing the issue of delivery fee hikes to the forefront.

As a result, the delivery industry is showing competitive gestures to reduce delivery fees. Baedal Minjok lowered delivery fee burdens through 'Altteul Baedal' (Affordable Delivery), which implements optimized bundled deliveries, and Yogiyo introduced 'Yogipass' last month, offering unlimited free delivery benefits.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.