ZEPTO OR BLINKIT

Imagine you are new in a city like Delhi or Bangalore. You have left all the comfort zone of your peaceful home and arrived to fulfill your dreams. You are stranger to the Shops, the Grocery, the Markets and even the Subjiwala Bhaiya stares at you. Someone tells you about superfast deliveries like Zepto or Blinkit. 

By superfast what would be your wildest imagination? How fast they can be?

Initially, you really don't get the idea about them. You imagine a delivery platform just like amazon or big basket to deliver at your door step in somewhat lesser time, may be 20 minutes. You decide to download one of the app and order some stuffs. You place the order and walk casually to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. Suddenly, the door bell rings. In a totally new place, you really don’t want people to bother you by ringing bells unless you have invited them personally. In an uninterested way, you move towards the door.Guess what?

BINGO!! It is the delivery person standing right in front of you with all your stuffs in just 7 minutes. You keep staring at the person and deep down you want to ask him… 

"How did you? Just 7 minutes? itna bhi zaroori saman ni tha.. yar…" 

For most of the ordinary customers, it is like a celebration to get their essentials in just a blink of eye. These delivery systems have revolutionized the era of online delivery platform. They have raised the bar of expectation. They have not only shorten the time in general but also brought the needy people closer to their wants. 

What can be better than having your favourite Coke within 7 minutes of your craving ?

But people like me, as always, can't help thinking. The first time I experienced this, I got concerned for the delivery boy. Either the boy drove too fast or they had bought multiple Helicoptors. Thankfully, the second one is merely an illusion, else you would get your delivery at your roof top.

On further research, I found that my fears were not utopian. There were cases of accident, wrong side movement and traffic rule violation by the delivery partners. And why not? They are paid on the basis of number of deliveries per day. Earlier they got Rs 50 per delivery which decline to Rs 25 or Rs 32 depending upon demand. The rising fuel prices, high competition and market pressure make them more vulnerable. 

The current scenario tells about a predictable future.

 

You might get your favourite Chocolate in a minute or two. Actually no, food is the basic necessity, let’s not wait even for a minute. The future Delivery Giants might deliver you as soon as you think. Congratulations.. you might have a personnel Jinny in times to come.

But all these discussions will go in vein if we really don't understand the basic concern. Let's not live in imaginary fancy world of ours. We are sapiens and everyone even if unwilling is connected to each other in some or the other way. Let's not be so selfish in our needs. It is a fact, a customer won't be able to change the rules and nature of these private giants. But it is also true that we as customers can make a huge difference if we want to. After all,

"ye public hai, ye sab jaanti hai."

So, let's try to play our role…

Let's try not to shout at them if they get late. 
Let's try to offer them water if they come running on a hot summer day. 
Let's try to be humble. 

"In the times to come, we all will witness millions of Robots. But for now, let's try to be Human first. 
(Aane wale samay me ROBOTS to bahut milenge, hum pehle INSAN banne ki koshish kar lete hai.)"