2 hrs ago
Consumer Commission Orders E-Commerce Site to Pay Rs 1.06 Lakh
A man ordered a new phone from an online shopping website.
He said the phone he received had already been used.
He also said the phone and its box had different identification numbers.
The website argued that it only connected buyers and sellers, and said it had offered to return his money.
The trading company that supplied the phone did not appear before the commission.
The consumer commission said the website could not avoid responsibility just because it was an intermediary.
It ordered the website and trading company to return the phone’s price and pay the man compensation and costs.
Altogether, the award was Rs 1.06 lakh.
A man said a phone ordered online arrived used, containing contacts, photos and videos.
He also reported that the phone’s IMEI number differed from the number on its packaging.
The Visakhapatnam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission found the e-commerce website deficient in service.
The website argued it was only an intermediary and said it had offered to refund the Rs 1,145 purchase price.
The commission ordered the website and supplying trading company to refund Rs 1,145, pay Rs 1 lakh compensation and Rs 5,000 in costs.
- Who
- A man who ordered a phone online, the e-commerce website and the trading company that supplied it.
- What
- The Visakhapatnam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ordered a refund, compensation and costs totaling Rs 1.06 lakh.
- Where
- Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
- When
- The commission's order was dated September 30; the phone was delivered on December 12, 2024.
- Why
- The commission found deficiency in service after the man reported receiving a used phone and said the website did not resolve his complaint.
Consumer's case and commission's findings
E-commerce website's position
Responsibility for the phone
Consumer's case and commission's findings
The man alleged that he received a used phone with personal data and an IMEI mismatch; the commission said the website could not avoid consequences as an intermediary.
E-commerce website's position
The website argued it was only an intermediary between buyer and seller and was neither the phone's manufacturer nor seller.
Refund and service
Consumer's case and commission's findings
The man said the website did not refund him, and the commission found that its inaction and failure to resolve the issue amounted to deficiency in service.
E-commerce website's position
The website's counsel said it had offered to refund the purchase price, but the man refused because he sought Rs 10 lakh in compensation.
Key facts
- Commission
- Visakhapatnam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
- Order date
- September 30
- Phone delivery date
- December 12, 2024
- Purchase price
- Rs 1,145
- Compensation
- Rs 1 lakh
- Costs
- Rs 5,000
- Total ordered
- Rs 1.06 lakh, including the Rs 1,145 refund
Quotes
Visakhapatnam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
The district consumer commission that heard the complaint and issued the order.
“Since the answering opposite party (the e-commerce website) is instrumental in selling and delivering the defective product, it cannot claim immunity to escape from the consequences.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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