Charging Rs. 15 Extra Despite Applicable Discount, Jaipur District Commission Holds Reliance Retail And Its Dealer Liable For Unfair Trade Practices

Brief Facts:

Mr Pankaj Manda (“Complainant”) purchased products amounting to Rs. 2019.77/-, sold under the franchise of Reliance Retail (“Retailer”) from the store of Ranger Firms Limited (“Dealer”). The bill included an item, "Godrej Expert Cream Hair Color Dark Brown" of 20 grams, with a listed price of Rs. 33.25/-. The actual price of the item had a discount of Rs. 2/-. After providing the discount, the final price should have been Rs. 31.25. However, the Dealer collected an extra Rs. 2/- from the Complainant by not providing the discount. Additionally, the Complainant purchased a "Charminar Brown One KG" which was priced at Rs. 92/-, with a discount of Rs. 13/-. After applying the discount, the final price should have been Rs. 79/-. However, the Dealer collected an extra Rs. 13 from the Complainant, by not providing the discount again. Thus, the Dealer charged an extra Rs. 15/-, in total, from the Complainant. Thereafter, the Complainant made several communications with the Dealer and the Retailer but didn't receive a satisfactory response.

Feeling aggrieved, the Complainant filed a consumer complaint in the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-II, Jaipur (“District Commission”). The Retailer and the Dealer didn't appear before the District Commission. Therefore, they were proceeded against ex-parte.

Observations by the Commission:

The District Commission noted that the Retailer and the Dealer unfairly charged excessive than the discounted price of the items from the Complainant. Therefore, the District Commission held the Retailer and the Dealer liable for deficiency in service and unfair trade practice. It held that the Complainant was entitled to a rightful compensation of Rs. 15/- from the Dealer and the Retailer for the excessive amount collected.

Consequently, the District Commission directed the Dealer and the Retailer to, jointly and severally, pay the Complainant an amount of Rs. 15/- as compensation for the excess amount collected. They were also directed to pay a compensation of Rs. 10,000/- to the Complainant for mental distress caused to him. Additionally, they were also directed to pay Rs. 5,000/- for the litigation costs incurred by the Complainant.

Case Title: Pankaj Manda vs Reliance Retail and Anr.

Case No.: CC/47/2022

Advocate for the Complainant: Shri Banwari Kumawat

Advocate for the Respondent: None (Ex-parte)

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