2 hrs ago
Himachal Consumer Commission Orders Retailer to Pay Rs 8,010
A man bought clothes from a store in Himachal Pradesh.
The store added Rs 10 for a carry bag with its brand name.
The man said he did not know the bag would cost extra and asked for his money back.
The store refused, so he complained to a consumer commission.
The store said charging for bags encouraged people to use fewer bags and protect the environment.
The commission said the bag was not plain because it carried the store’s name and logo.
It ordered the store to refund the Rs 10 and pay other costs and compensation.
The total payment must be made within 45 days.
The Shimla District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ordered an apparel retailer to pay Rs 8,010 to a customer.
The customer was charged Rs 10 for a branded carry bag after buying jeans and a T-shirt on April 14, 2025.
The commission said a retailer cannot charge for a bag bearing its name, logo, advertisement or slogan.
The retailer argued that the charge encouraged environmental responsibility and that customers were not required to buy a bag.
The award includes a Rs 10 refund, Rs 5,000 compensation for mental harassment and Rs 3,000 in litigation costs.
- Who
- A Himachal Pradesh customer and the unnamed apparel retailer; the case was decided by the Shimla District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
- What
- The commission ordered the retailer to pay Rs 8,010 over a Rs 10 charge for a branded carry bag.
- Where
- At the retailer’s store in Himachal Pradesh; the case was heard by the Shimla District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
- When
- The purchase occurred on April 14, 2025, and the commission issued its order on August 21, 2025.
- Why
- The commission found that charging for a carry bag bearing the retailer’s name or logo amounted to deficiency in service and an unfair trade practice, and noted that required charge notices were not proven.
Consumer and Commission’s View
Retailer’s Defense
Whether the charge was permissible
Consumer and Commission’s View
The customer said he believed the bag was provided free and was not shown any rule authorizing the charge. The commission said a bag carrying the retailer’s name, logo, advertisement or slogan could not be charged for.
Retailer’s Defense
The retailer argued that customers were not compelled to buy a carry bag and denied that employees had offered the bag as complimentary.
Purpose of charging for bags
Consumer and Commission’s View
The commission contrasted the practice with street vendors who provide or wrap purchased items and treated the branded charge as an unfair trade practice.
Retailer’s Defense
The retailer said the charge promoted environmental responsibility, encouraged customers to reduce bag use and discouraged misuse of free carry bags.
Key facts
- Total award
- Rs 8,010
- Carry-bag charge
- Rs 10
- Compensation
- Rs 5,000 for mental harassment
- Litigation costs
- Rs 3,000
- Refund
- Rs 10
- Compliance period
- 45 days
- Relevant helplines
- National Consumer Helpline: 1915; Himachal Pradesh consumer helpline: 1800-180-8087
Sources
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