Akash Bansal, a Delhi-based entrepreneur and co-founder of the mobile accessories brand Skyvik, has come under fire for his reaction to a customer’s tip after delivering an order himself. The controversy began when Bansal shared his experience on X (formerly Twitter), recounting how he felt when a customer mistakenly assumed he was just a regular delivery agent.
According to Bansal’s post, his company received a cash-on-delivery (COD) order worth ₹3,200. Given that the delivery address was close to his office, Bansal decided to personally handle the delivery. Upon arriving at the customer’s location, he was given ₹3,500 in cash, with the woman telling him to keep the change.
While Bansal initially appreciated the gesture, he described his reaction as going from “100 to 0 in a flash” when he realized that the customer thought he was merely a delivery agent. He noted that he let the woman keep ₹500 and both ended up being pleased with the transaction.
The post quickly went viral but not in the way Bansal might have hoped. Many users criticized him for what they perceived as a classist attitude. Critics argued that Bansal’s disappointment in being mistaken for a delivery agent reflected a lack of respect for the dignity of labor.
One X user, Priyanka Lahiri, sarcastically suggested Bansal should get a shirt that reads, “I am the company’s founder, please make me feel special,” in response to his perceived snobbery. Another commenter, Inderpal Singh, questioned why Bansal’s excitement diminished, pointing out that a ₹500 tip would be considered generous for many delivery workers.
The backlash highlights ongoing discussions about class and respect within the professional world. It contrasts sharply with the approach of other successful entrepreneurs, such as Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal, who has made a point of connecting with ground-level operations by working as a delivery agent during peak times. Goyal’s hands-on approach, including delivering orders himself, has been widely praised as a way to stay connected with the realities faced by frontline workers.
In light of the criticism, Bansal’s experience serves as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging and valuing all roles within a company, regardless of rank or status. The reaction from the public underscores a broader conversation about class, respect, and the value of every job role in today’s professional landscape.
