A case for Digital Wallets
Snapdeal, which also owns Freecharge, has unveiled a new payment solution for postpaid orders – Wallet on Delivery. Just like it sounds, this will enable customers to pay via their Freecharge wallet once the package has been delivered. The process is also quite hassle-free – users will receive a PIN associated with the order in their Freecharge app and once completed, the sum will be transferred automatically. The method is indeed, absolutely straightforward as well as convenient and has been implemented at an appropriate time. Customers can still, though, pay through cash if they have the valid denominations available. The WoD service will be rolling out in phases throughout the country starting from today i.e. November 10th. Furthermore, minutes after this announcement, Freecharge’s biggest rival, Paytm also stated that they’re too working on a similar feature titled Paytm on Delivery (POD). With services like this, companies will definitely see a significant surge in their businesses as they will be allowing users to use e-payments on the delivery which will surely give them a sense of credibility. Freecharge and Paytm are already profiting substantially from this, the former saw a sharp 12X spike overnight. While Paytm hasn’t exactly revealed the numbers, they too mentioned that downloads and transfers have exceedingly crossed their average intake.
Is there a Long Term need for digital wallets?
Commenting further on the launch, Kunal Bahl, CEO & Co-founder of Snapdeal said, “The launch of Wallet on Delivery is an absolute need of the hour for consumers. More than a year ago, we had made a strategic decision to build India’s best digital payments platform to offer the fastest and most efficient payments experience in the country. The launch of this new feature by FreeCharge shortly after the announcement of the demonetization of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 currency notes demonstrates our speed of execution in ensuring consumers’ needs are met in real time. We are delighted to continue our contribution to the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision to build a cashless society.” It’s impressive that Freecharge has acted swiftly to devise a workaround for CoD payments, and PayTM is working on the same. Will they manage to sustain the interest once the cash crunch ends? We got to wait and see.
