Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Consumer Commission Orders Refund And Compensation Over Returned Sunglasses Dispute
An advocate bought expensive sunglasses online and later returned them.
The platform accepted the return but then refused to give his money back.
It said the sunglasses were scratched and some accessories were missing.
The buyer said any problem might have happened after the delivery worker collected them.
The consumer commission said there was not enough proof that the buyer caused the damage.
It also said the platform could not keep both the sunglasses and the buyer’s money.
The platform was ordered to refund Rs 17,839, pay compensation and cover legal costs.
The total award was Rs 27,839, plus interest.
A 38-year-old advocate paid Rs 17,839 for sunglasses ordered online on August 5, 2023.
He returned the sunglasses after delivery, saying he was dissatisfied with their quality and genuineness.
The e-commerce platform refused a refund, alleging scratches, use and missing accessories after its quality check.
Rangareddy District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission found insufficient evidence linking the alleged damage to the consumer.
The platform was ordered to pay Rs 27,839, including the refund, compensation and litigation costs, plus applicable interest.
- Who
- A 38-year-old advocate and an unnamed e-commerce platform were involved; the matter was decided by the Rangareddy District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
- What
- The commission ordered the platform to refund Rs 17,839 and pay compensation and litigation costs after it denied a refund for returned sunglasses.
- When
- The sunglasses were ordered on August 5, 2023, delivered on August 9, returned on August 19, and the commission passed its order on September 21.
- Where
- The dispute was decided by the Rangareddy District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Telangana.
- Why
- The commission found that the platform had not established that the alleged damage or missing accessories were caused by the consumer.
Consumer’s position
Platform’s position
Responsibility for alleged damage
Consumer’s position
The consumer argued that any damage or discrepancy could have occurred during transportation, handling or while the sunglasses were with delivery personnel after pickup.
Platform’s position
The platform alleged that the returned sunglasses had scratches, appeared used and were missing the branded box, glass cover and two cards.
Refund obligation
Consumer’s position
The consumer said the platform had accepted and taken back the product, so retaining both the sunglasses and his money was unfair and amounted to deficient service.
Platform’s position
The platform argued that it only facilitated transactions between independent sellers and buyers, and that the sale contract was between the seller and consumer.
Evidence
Consumer’s position
The consumer maintained that the platform had not shown that he caused the alleged damage or loss of accessories.
Platform’s position
The platform relied on a comparison between the seller’s packing video and a video of the returned product, but the commission found the evidence insufficient to establish responsibility.
- Original purchase amount
- Rs 17,839
- Total monetary relief
- Rs 27,839, apart from applicable interest
- Interest ordered
- 9% annually from August 19, 2023, until realisation
- Compensation
- Rs 5,000 for deficiency in service
- Litigation costs
- Rs 5,000
- Product
- A pair of sunglasses
- Consumer
- A 38-year-old advocate