Wolt's 'Duty-Free' Deals Often More Expensive Than Market Prices, Study Finds

Wolt's app promotes certain household products under a "duty-free" label, implying an 18% VAT discount and suggesting special savings. However, a recent investigation reveals that these products are frequently sold at significantly lower prices elsewhere, challenging the perceived value of Wolt's offers.

For example, the Dreame Aero Straight hair styler is listed on Wolt for 1,390 shekels, but the same model is available in other retail chains for 1,099 shekels, a 21% difference. In Eilat, the price drops even further to 931 shekels. After including Wolt's operational fees, the total cost rises to 1,395 shekels, still notably higher than competitors.

Similarly, the Dreame H15 Mix cordless vacuum cleaner is priced at 3,590 shekels on Wolt, while other sellers offer it for 2,999 shekels, a 16.5% lower price. Even lower-priced items show discrepancies, such as the Smarter D05-01 moisture absorber, sold for 599 shekels on Wolt but found for 549 shekels at Super-Pharm online, an 8% difference.

The issue is not false pricing but the misleading impression created by the "duty-free" branding, which leads consumers to believe they are getting a unique deal. The products compared were identical, covered by the official Dreame importer warranty, and included free shipping, ensuring a fair comparison.

Consumers are advised to verify prices across multiple platforms before purchasing, as the "duty-free" label and VAT savings do not guarantee the best market price. The investigation highlights the importance of price comparison despite promotional labels.

Summary: Wolt's "duty-free" labeled products, which suggest VAT savings, are often more expensive than identical items sold elsewhere, urging consumers to compare prices before buying.