LI Network
Published on: November 26, 2023 at 13:14 IST
The Cooch Behar District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, headed by Mrs. Rumpa Mandal and Mr. Subhas Chandra Guin as a member, ruled in favor of consumers in a case against Amazon India.
The dispute revolved around the purchase of 30 items of Daffodils Mosquito Bug Bird Net Transparent White Barriers. Despite an upfront payment of Rs. 17,970, only one item was delivered, leading to the cancellation and return of the order. However, the complainants did not receive a refund of the prepaid amount, prompting them to file a complaint.
Finding Amazon India responsible for unfair trade practices and service deficiencies, the Commission ordered the company to refund the entire prepaid amount of Rs. 17,970.
Additionally, Amazon India was directed to compensate the complainants with Rs. 1,00,000 for mental distress and business loss, along with Rs. 10,000 as litigation costs.
The consumers, Mr. Ashok Das and Mrs. Dali Chouhan, placed an order for the mentioned items on November 23, 2021, paying in advance through a Bajaj EMI card.
Despite the prepayment, only one item was received. Disappointed, they canceled the entire order on November 29, 2021, and returned the item as instructed on December 8, 2021.
Despite sending notices, the complainants did not receive a refund, and Bajaj Fiserv deducted three EMIs from Mrs. Chouhan’s bank account. Faced with these losses, they filed a consumer complaint seeking redress.
As Amazon India failed to respond within the stipulated timeframe, the Commission proceeded ex parte. Observing Amazon’s failure to refund the prepaid amount after order cancellation and return, the Commission held the company liable for deficient service and unfair trade practices.
Amazon India was ordered to refund the entire prepaid amount with 6% interest from the payment date and compensate the complainants with Rs. 1,00,000 for distress, business loss, and goodwill damage, along with Rs. 10,000 as litigation costs.
Amazon India has 30 days to comply with the order, with an additional 6% interest per annum accruing on the entire amount if the deadline is not met.