A technical glitch on the Swiggy Instamart app recently led to an unexpected windfall for some users, with discount coupons worth up to Rs 5,00,000 being erroneously credited to their accounts. The incident, which was first highlighted by a Reddit user, quickly went viral as users shared screenshots of orders placed for a fraction of their original prices.
The Unexpected Jackpot
A post on Reddit titled, “Someone is definitely losing their job at Swiggy,” detailed how Swiggy Instamart users began seeing a banner on the app stating: “Enjoy up to Rs 5,00,000 in free cash. Applied on your next order above Rs 199.”
Users reported receiving discount credits ranging between Rs 4,000 and Rs 5,00,000, allowing them to place orders for groceries and essentials at negligible costs. Some users jumped at the opportunity, ordering items that were successfully delivered before Swiggy managed to intervene.
Screenshots shared online depicted a variety of transactions benefiting from the glitch. One user showcased an order worth Rs 4,081, which was reduced to just Rs 81 after applying the unexpected discount. Another user reportedly placed an order totaling Rs 56,347, which was successfully brought down to just Rs 1.
Swiggy’s Response and Damage Control
As the glitch gained traction, Swiggy reportedly began reaching out to affected users, requesting them to return the purchased items that were acquired during the unintended offer. This move sparked mixed reactions online, with some users sympathizing with the company while others argued that they were merely using the discounts presented to them.
The incident sparked widespread speculation. While some users believed it was a genuine technical error, others suggested that it might have been an elaborate marketing stunt designed to generate buzz around Swiggy Instamart.
A user commented, “This could be a marketing stunt.” Another responded, “Ok Swiggy PR Team, we get it, now stop posting everywhere.” Meanwhile, some users lamented missing out on the glitch, with one saying, “This offer would’ve been nice had I heard about it.”
One Reddit user humorously remarked, “It was showing some 4 lakh for me too. I thought it was some random loan scheme.”
Swiggy Instamart’s History of Odd Incidents
This isn’t the first time Swiggy Instamart has made headlines over an unusual incident. Earlier this year, a user raised concerns about receiving free tomatoes in their cart that couldn’t be removed.
The user accused Swiggy of “basket sneaking,” arguing that customers should have complete control over their shopping carts, even when it comes to free items. This led to an online debate about whether brands should have the ability to automatically add items to a customer’s cart without explicit consent.
Swiggy has not yet made an official statement regarding the discount glitch, but the incident highlights the importance of robust system checks in e-commerce platforms. While some customers benefited, the company could have faced significant financial losses if the issue had persisted for longer.
For now, users are waiting to see whether Swiggy will take further action against those who capitalized on the error or if it will chalk it up as a costly mistake and move forward. Meanwhile, the incident serves as a reminder of how quickly digital mishaps can escalate in an era where social media amplifies every occurrence in real-time.
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