04 March,2011 05:48 AM IST | | Aditi Sharma
Would you trust these two with your vegetable and fruit shopping? If yes, then log on to their website that comes with guarantee to deliver fresh, quality produce at lower prices. The only hitch? You have to live in or around Powai
They admit to rarely stepping out to buy vegetables for their own mothers. But ever since IIT students Rohit Goyal and Siddharth Kataria launched a venture called Sabjiwaala(.com) last December, their visits to wholesale vegetable markets increased dramatically. Just like the number of page views on their site (3,500 in two months) and home deliveries (10 to 15, per day) that had to be made.
Siddharth Kataria and Rohit Goyal, founders of Sabjiwaala (.com), say
their vegetables are of better quality han those available in local markets.
Pic/ Rane Ashish
Staying true to the IIT-ian tradition of maintaining secrecy around a business model, as though it were a covert nuclear operation, Rohit, who is pursuing civil engineering, and Siddharth, who recently completed electrical engineering, refuse to divulge basic details about their venture. So, those looking to duplicate the model can do no more than hazard a guess about how they came up with the idea or where they store the fruits and veggies before a delivery.
What they do guarantee is that their products are high on quality and low on price. "The quality of vegetables and fruits is on par with what you get in supermarkets, but our prices are lower," says Rohit, who attends lectures during the day and works on the website at night.
The veggies are 10% cheaper than the prices in a shopping mall, with the two keeping constant tabs on prices at wholesale markets in Vashi and Crawford Market. More than the cost, the young entrepreneurs believe it is convenience that is making their portal popular around Powai. Their clientele includes housewives, expatriates and singles in the area.
The minimum order is for Rs 125 and orders need to be placed before 9 pm for deliveries to be made the following day. "It's a simple process and you can choose the time for the order to be delivered," says Rohit. Orders can be placed on the website or over the phone. At present, the delivery area is limited with the boys supplying only to the vicinity around their college that stretches to Hiranandani Gardens and Raheja Vihar in Powai. Future plans include expanding their delivery area and delivering groceries as well.
Log on to: www.sabjiwaala.com
Call 9833270857
