A good price increase message to customers tells them early, gives the exact new price and the date it starts, explains the reason in one line, and shows what they still get for the money. Send it on WhatsApp 15 to 30 days ahead, thank them for staying with you, offer existing customers a short price lock where you can, and tell them how to reply with questions.
The 7-part formula for a price increase message
An increase that feels sudden, vague or hidden does more damage than the number itself. Every template below follows these seven parts:
- Advance notice. Send it well before the change. A message on 28 November about 1 December reads as an ambush.
- A one-line reason. Rent, raw material, fuel, staff cost, GST or a supplier revision. One honest sentence, no lecture.
- The exact new price and effective date. "Rs 450 from 1 December" beats "a small revision in our rates". For many items, name the most-bought one and link the full list.
- What stays the same or gets better. Same quality, same delivery slot, an extra class, a longer warranty.
- A loyalty offer or price lock (optional). Old rate for one more cycle, or locked by renewing early. This usually makes the message Marketing.
- A thank you. Specific beats generic: "for buying from us for three years".
- How to reply. This chat, a phone number or a button.
24 WhatsApp price increase templates by situation
Variables appear as {{1}}, {{2}} and so on, filled per customer at send time. Keep fixed text before the first and after the last variable, and add sample values when submitting. See our guide to WhatsApp template variables and personalization for the rules.
Retail, kirana and D2C brands
1. Kirana or general store, single item
Namaste {{1}}, a quick update from {{2}}. Because our supplier has raised wholesale rates, the price of {{3}} will change from Rs {{4}} to Rs {{5}} from {{6}}. Everything else stays the same, including free home delivery above Rs {{7}}. Thank you for shopping with us. Reply here if you have any questions.
2. D2C brand, full range revision
Hi {{1}}, thank you for being a {{2}} customer. From {{3}}, prices across our range will go up by about {{4}} percent because packaging and raw material costs have risen this year. Our ingredients, sizes and 7-day return policy are not changing. You can see the new price list here: {{5}}. Questions? Just reply to this message.
3. Repeat-order customer, favourite product
Hi {{1}}, you have ordered {{2}} from us {{3}} times, so we wanted you to hear this first. Its price will change from Rs {{4}} to Rs {{5}} on {{6}}. Orders placed before that date are billed at the current price. Thank you for being a regular. Reply ORDER to place your next one now.
Subscriptions and SaaS
4. Monthly subscription renewal
Hi {{1}}, an update about your {{2}} plan. From your renewal on {{3}}, the monthly price will be Rs {{4}} instead of Rs {{5}}. This covers higher hosting and support costs. Your features, data and login stay exactly as they are. Thank you for using {{6}}. Reply here or write to {{7}} with any questions.
5. Annual plan with renewal date
Hello {{1}}, your annual {{2}} plan renews on {{3}}. From that renewal, the yearly price will be Rs {{4}} (currently Rs {{5}}). We have added {{6}} this year and it remains included. If you would like to discuss your plan before the renewal, reply to this message and our team will call you.
6. Auto-debit subscription
Hi {{1}}, your {{2}} subscription is paid by auto-debit. From {{3}}, the amount debited each month will be Rs {{4}} instead of Rs {{5}}. Your bank will also send its usual notice before each debit. If you want to change or pause your plan, reply here before {{6}}.
Gyms, coaching classes and schools
7. Gym membership
Hi {{1}}, thank you for training at {{2}}. From {{3}}, the monthly membership will be Rs {{4}} (currently Rs {{5}}), due to higher rent and equipment upkeep. Your timings, trainer and locker stay the same. Members who renew before {{6}} pay the current rate for their next term. Reply here to renew or ask anything.
8. Coaching or tuition fees
Dear {{1}}, this is to inform you that the fee for {{2}} at {{3}} will be Rs {{4}} per {{5}} from the session starting {{6}}. The batch timings, faculty and study material remain the same. Fees already paid for the current session are not affected. For any query, please reply here or call {{7}}.
9. School fee revision
Dear Parent of {{1}}, the school fee for {{2}} for the academic year {{3}} has been revised to Rs {{4}} per term. The detailed fee structure is available here: {{5}}. The first instalment is due on {{6}}. For questions, please contact the school office on {{7}} or reply to this message.
Clinics, salons and service businesses
10. Clinic consultation fee
Hello {{1}}, a note from {{2}}. From {{3}}, the consultation fee will be Rs {{4}} (currently Rs {{5}}). Follow-up visits within {{6}} days remain free. Thank you for trusting us with your care. To book an appointment, reply to this message.
11. Salon or spa service menu
Hi {{1}}, thank you for visiting {{2}}. Our service prices will be revised from {{3}} because product and staff costs have gone up. Your usual {{4}} will be Rs {{5}}. The full menu is here: {{6}}. Appointments booked before {{3}} keep the current price. Reply BOOK to reserve a slot.
12. Home services or AMC
Dear {{1}}, your annual maintenance contract for {{2}} with {{3}} is due for renewal on {{4}}. The renewal charge will be Rs {{5}} this year (last year Rs {{6}}), reflecting higher spare part and travel costs. The number of service visits stays the same. Reply YES to renew or reply here with any question.
B2B distributors and wholesale rate revisions
13. Distributor rate list revision
Dear {{1}}, please note our revised rate list effective {{2}}, attached here: {{3}}. The change follows a price revision from {{4}}. Orders confirmed in writing before {{2}} will be billed at current rates. Credit terms and delivery schedule remain unchanged. Please reply here or call {{5}} to discuss your next order.
14. Manufacturer to dealer, specific SKUs
Dear {{1}}, from {{2}}, the dealer price of {{3}} will be Rs {{4}} per {{5}} (currently Rs {{6}}). Other SKUs are unchanged. We are holding current prices on all pending purchase orders. Thank you for your continued partnership. For volume-based pricing, please reply to this message.
GST and input-cost driven increases
15. GST rate change
Hi {{1}}, an update from {{2}}. Due to the change in GST on {{3}} effective {{4}}, the final price of {{5}} will be Rs {{6}} including tax. Our base price has not changed. Your invoice will show the tax split clearly. Reply here if you have any questions.
16. Fuel or raw material cost
Hello {{1}}, the cost of {{2}} has gone up sharply this season, so from {{3}} the price of {{4}} will be Rs {{5}} (currently Rs {{6}}). We have absorbed part of the increase and will review prices again if costs come down. Thank you for understanding. Reply here with any questions.
Delivery and shipping charge changes
17. Delivery fee change
Hi {{1}}, from {{2}}, the delivery charge on orders below Rs {{3}} will be Rs {{4}}. Orders above Rs {{3}} still get free delivery. Our delivery slots and packaging are not changing. Thank you for ordering from {{5}}. Reply here if you have any questions.
18. Free-shipping threshold change
Hello {{1}}, a small change at {{2}}: from {{3}}, free shipping will apply to orders above Rs {{4}} (earlier Rs {{5}}). Orders below that will have a shipping fee of Rs {{6}}. Cash on delivery and returns work the same way. Reply here for help with your next order.
Send these messages on WhatsApp, from your own number
We get your templates approved on the official WhatsApp API and set up your first broadcast with you. ₹0 platform fee, you pay only Meta's per-message rate.
Existing-customer price lock offers
Both of these are Marketing templates, because they push a purchase.
19. Renew early, keep the old price
Hi {{1}}, prices for {{2}} go up to Rs {{3}} on {{4}}. As a thank you for being with us, you can lock the current price of Rs {{5}} for another {{6}} months by renewing before {{4}}. Tap below or reply LOCK to renew at the current price.
20. Stock up before the change
Hello {{1}}, the price of {{2}} changes from Rs {{3}} to Rs {{4}} on {{5}}. Orders placed until {{6}} are billed at the old price, so this is a good time to stock up on your usual items. Reply with your list and we will keep it ready.
Hindi and Hinglish versions
21. Hindi, kirana or retail
नमस्ते {{1}} जी, {{2}} की तरफ से एक ज़रूरी सूचना। सप्लायर के रेट बढ़ने की वजह से {{3}} का दाम Rs {{4}} से Rs {{5}} हो जाएगा। बाकी सब पहले जैसा रहेगा। हमसे जुड़े रहने के लिए धन्यवाद। कोई सवाल हो तो इसी चैट पर पूछें।
22. Hindi, coaching or school fees
आदरणीय अभिभावक, {{1}} की {{2}} कक्षा की फीस {{3}} से Rs {{4}} प्रति माह होगी। पढ़ाई का समय, शिक्षक और स्टडी मटीरियल पहले जैसे ही रहेंगे। किसी भी जानकारी के लिए {{5}} पर कॉल करें या इसी मैसेज का जवाब दें।
23. Hinglish, gym or salon
Hi {{1}}, {{2}} ki taraf se ek update. {{3}} se aapki monthly membership Rs {{4}} hogi (abhi Rs {{5}} hai). Timings aur trainer same rahenge. Agar aap {{6}} se pehle renew karte hain toh purane rate par hi next term milega. Koi sawaal ho toh yahin reply karein.
24. Hinglish, delivery charge
Hello {{1}}, {{2}} se Rs {{3}} se kam ke orders par delivery charge Rs {{4}} lagega. Rs {{3}} se upar ke orders par delivery free hi rahegi. Order karne ka tareeka same hai. Thank you {{5}} se order karne ke liye. Kuch poochna ho toh reply karein.
Submit each language as its own template. If one is rejected, check our WhatsApp template rejection reasons and fixes.
How much notice to give: a guide by business type
No single notice period applies to every Indian business. Treat this table as practical guidance, not legal advice; your contracts, terms of service or state rules (school fee rules, for example) may require more.
| Business type | Recommended notice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Kirana, retail, restaurant menu | 7 to 15 days | Frequent purchases; customers adjust quickly |
| D2C brand, e-commerce | 15 days | Gives repeat buyers time to reorder at the old price |
| Monthly subscription or SaaS | At least one full billing cycle, ideally 30 days | Customer can decide before the next charge |
| Annual plans, AMC contracts | 30 to 60 days before renewal | Larger amount; budgets need approval |
| Gym, salon, clinic | 15 to 30 days | Members may have prepaid sessions or packages |
| Coaching, tuition, school | Before the new session or term, often 30 to 90 days | Parents plan fees per year; check state rules |
| B2B distributor or wholesale | As per your agreement; 15 to 30 days if none | Retailers need to reprice their own stock |
Auto-debit payments. For recurring card or UPI e-mandates, RBI's e-mandate framework requires the card issuer or bank to send a pre-debit notification at least 24 hours before each debit. That bank notice only shows the amount, so send your own WhatsApp message well before the first higher debit, and confirm with your payment gateway that the new amount fits the mandate the customer approved.
Utility or Marketing: which template category is a price increase?
Meta assigns every template a category, and the category sets the price.
- Utility is for messages about an existing transaction, account or subscription that the customer has with you. A plain notice such as "your plan renews on 1 December at Rs 450" can sometimes pass as Utility.
- Marketing is anything that promotes or encourages a purchase. Add "renew now to lock the old price", "stock up before the change" or a discount, and it is Marketing.
Meta can reclassify a Utility template as Marketing, at approval or later, if it reads as promotional, and it is then billed at the Marketing rate. Our explainer on WhatsApp message template categories in India walks through the rules with examples.
The clean approach: a Utility notice to everyone affected, and a separate Marketing price-lock offer only to the segment you most want to keep.
What it costs to send
Meta's India rates, as listed on our WhatsApp API pricing page, are Rs 0.8631 per Marketing message and Rs 0.115 per Utility message, excluding GST. On RichAutomate's Client Pay model, Meta bills these charges directly to your own card and RichAutomate adds a flat Rs 0.10 platform fee per message, with Rs 0 setup.
| Category | Meta rate (India) | RichAutomate fee | About per 1,000 messages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utility | Rs 0.115 | Rs 0.10 | Rs 215 |
| Marketing | Rs 0.8631 | Rs 0.10 | Rs 963 |
So 2,000 customers receiving a plain Utility notice cost about Rs 430 in total, while the same 2,000 receiving a Marketing price-lock offer cost about Rs 1,926. Rates exclude GST; check the pricing page before a large send, since Meta revises its rates from time to time.
Mistakes that cause blocks, unsubscribes and quality drops
Blocks and reports after a price message pull your quality rating down, which can limit how many people you can message. Avoid these:
- Sending to old or un-opted-in lists. Message only customers who agreed to hear from you on WhatsApp. An old billing-software export is not opt-in.
- No way to opt out. Add a STOP option or an opt-out quick-reply button on Marketing templates and honour it immediately.
- Vague wording. "Prices are being revised" with no number or date makes people assume the worst and fills your inbox with angry questions.
- Same-day notice. Telling someone on the day of renewal feels like a trap, even if the increase is small.
- Sending the offer to everyone. Send price-lock offers to active customers only.
- Ignoring replies. If customers reply "why?" and hear nothing, they leave. If you get a change wrong, our apology message templates for customers help you correct it quickly.
How to send a price increase message on RichAutomate
- Create the templates. One Utility notice and, optionally, one Marketing price-lock template, with variables for name, product, prices and date. Submit for Meta approval from your dashboard.
- Segment existing customers. Tag opted-in contacts by product, plan, branch or last purchase date.
- Schedule the broadcast. Upload a CSV with each customer's old and new price, map columns to variables, and schedule for daytime.
- Collect replies in the shared inbox. Every reply lands in one team inbox with full history.
- Set an auto-reply bot for common questions. Use the flow builder to answer "why the increase?" and "when does it start?", with hand-off to a person.
Pricing is simple. On Client Pay there is Rs 0 setup and a Rs 0.10 platform fee per message, with Meta's charges billed directly by Meta to your card. Optional plans are Starter at Rs 499/month, Pro at Rs 899/month and White-label at Rs 1,199/month.
Send your price update the right way
Clear notice, an honest reason and a quick reply to every question make a price increase far easier for customers to accept. Set up your templates, segment your list and schedule the broadcast in one place: start your free trial on RichAutomate.