And Now, Complaining Against Your Local Kirana Store Shall Pay–Quickly And Conveniently!

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Posted on December 24, 2012 by Runjhun

complaint against neighborhood kirana stores made easy by consumer affairs ministry

If we were to tell you that you should sue your neighborhood kirane waale bhaiya for cheating you, you would laugh,hysterically…or deem us to be delusional!

Who cares for petty cheating when serious issues are not resolved in time? Go to a consumer court for those 100 rupees that were fleeced…we must be really kidding you!

But no, we are not. We solemnly suggest that you would soon start considering filing a complaint every time your neighbourhood store cheats you.

Or so Consumer Affairs Ministry wants us to believe.

We had reported that a Parliamentary Standing Committee had proposed certain amendments to the existing law to the Ministry (see the article here Online Shopping Troubles? Filing A Complaint Set To Get Easier As Ministry Proposes Changes). If these materialize, they will enable the smaller complaints to be resolved quickly and effectively without getting stuck into the rut of pendency.

In addition to the facility of filing complaint online which is to be introduced very soon, the consumer affairs ministry has decided to set up a mediation centre, similar to a Lok Adalat, in each district of India under direct supervision of the district consumer forum. This measure is also expected to reduce burden on the consumer courts and help in faster disposal of cases.

It is expected that once this amendments are in place and operational, things will improve dramatically for the consumers, especially with respect to the issues faced by them on day to day basis.

For the sake of consumers, we really hope that this turns out to be true!

Soon, sue neighbourhood traders sans the legal rut.(Hindustan Times)

Scam Alert!!! Sandhi Sudha Does Not Work! A Consumer Forum Slaps Heavy Fine For Failed Cure.

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Posted on December 6, 2012 by Runjhun

Complaint against Sandhi Sudha, To Pay Over 25000 For Failed Cure.

Sandhi Sudha is a SCAM!!!

And no Govindas and Jackie Shroffs of the world can vouch otherwise!

A sensational advertising campaign with most prominent personalities from Bollywood and television made Sandhi Sudha a household name and a ray of hope for the vast elderly population of the country plagued by joint pains and related issues.

It has been a pain watching innocent consumers being so openly taken for a ride by a so called ‘ayurvedic‘ miracle that promised a magic that we knew would never happen.

The situation gets even more disturbing when prominent names of the glamour world agree to promote such products and further the fraud. They of all people in the world owe a responsibility to their followers, a significant chunk of whom are bound to take their word as Gospel truth. It is indeed disturbing to see celebrities, both big and small, selling off their goodwill and integrity for a handful…umm… a bagful of cash!

Social responsibility of celebritydom aside, Sandhi Sudha has been a thorn in our side for various reasons. Targeting a segment of consumers who are troubled and rendered weak by age and ailments, these people have always been almost sure to get away, for the sheer lack of a fight back. Their target consumers are way too troubled to raise their voice and are doomed to suffer in silence.

We honestly don’t have words to express our angst and anger.

But finally, in some corner of this country, Sandhi Sudha has been brought to justice…even though a minor one when compared to the size of the fraud.

District Consumer Forum Solan slapped a fine of Rs 25,000 on Sapt Rishi Auyrveda Institute after finding it guilty of immoral trade practice on the basis of a complaint for selling defective ‘Sandhi Sudha‘ message oil product . The forum has also ordered the Institute to reimburse the complainant after paying Rs 3100 as entire cost of Sandhi Sudha and Rs 3000 as litigation cost.

The complainant was suffering from joint and back pain and had ordered the product in 2011 after watching its advertisement. Obviously, the pain was not cured and the firm did not respond to telephonic or written complaints nor did it refund the cost of the product.

Finally, karma bites Sandhi Sudha!

We just hope it happened more frequently and intensely…enough to pack up this scam for good!

Consumer forum slaps Rs 25,000 fine on Sapt Rishi Ayurveda Institute (New Kerala)

(Picture Credit: ishoppingtime.com)

Enjoy! Says Consumer Forum. Orders Goan Bike Maker To Pay 10K For Loss of Enjoyment!

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Runjhun

complaint against bike maker, consumer forum orders a compensation of 10K

Goa and enjoyment have been synonymous ever since Farhan Akhtar said so in Dil Chahta Hai!

And now, over a decade since the release of the movie that immortalized Goa as ‘the’ destination, a consumer forum too has validated the claim!

We love this story…for consumer forum’s sense of humor, however unintentional.

A consumer in Goa found himself in deep trouble when he noticed a manufacturing defect in his bike right from the time he purchased the two-wheeler manufactured by Madras Auto Service (MAS TVS). There was constant “misfire” especially during its use for long-distance travel, he stated. Despite free servicing provided by the two service centers at Margao and Panaji, the defect couldn’t be rectified, prompting the complainant to conclude that the defect was “inherent”.

When despite repeated attempts from the consumer, the issues could not be rectified he filed a complaint. While disposing the complaint, South Goa District Consumer Forum though agreed that the consumer could not prove his complaint through any expert evidence and MAS cannot be held liable to replace the entire vehicle.

However, the forum also observed that the state of mind of the consumer must also be taken into account along with the hopes he attaches to a new vehicle, expecting it to be trouble free.

And of course our favorite part where the consumer forum held the opposite parties liable to pay a compensation of Rs.10,000 to the aggrieved consumer for “mental agony and loss of enjoyment!“

This is rare if not a first where a consumer forum cited loss of enjoyment as a reason for awarding compensation to the consumer with respect to an issue that is not exactly related to entertainment industry.

Consumer panel directs repair of ‘defective’ bike. (The Times of India)

Wondering Why You Need Consumer Tadka? A Consumer Affairs Ministry Backed Study Gives You The Answers.

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Posted on October 19, 2012 by Runjhun

Here Is Why We Need Consumer Tadka--Barely 20% Of Consumers Know About Consumer Protection Laws, Says A Study

And NOW we get a research backed reason for why Consumer Tadka is needed in this country!!!

We have been crying hoarse about the dismal condition of consumer awareness in the country and a dire need to inform and educate the ‘mango’ consumer.

And now, we have a research study backing our claim.

And this is not like one of those obscure researches conducted in remote Korea (or Jhumritalaiyaa though Korea is more exotic) on unknown subjects (or mice) about every seemingly mundane thing and their doormat having a role in enhancing the libido of either sex.

This is a proper research, a study conducted by an NGO called CUTS International and Food and Consumer Affairs Ministry.

Apart from the comforting conclusion that we actually HAVE a Consumers’ Affairs Ministry which is actually DOING something for a change, the study has also unraveled some extremely crucial facts about the consumer ecosystem in the country.

One of the most important findings that this study arrived at is something we and elder siblings at Akosha have been crying out since ages–Only 20 percent of consumers in India are aware of the consumer protection law and just 42 percent of them have heard about consumer rights. Almost 50 percent of consumers are not even aware about government’s ‘Jago Grahak Jago’ campaign, a clear surprise going by the penetration of this campaign in the popular media.

The survey “State of Indian Consumers 2012′ was conducted in 22 states and union territories with a sample size of 11,499. Amongst other findings, the study also found that RBI was the most known regulator.

We have known the pitiable state of consumer awareness in the country all this while and yet it is intimidating when they put it in figures like this. It is a jolt, a rude realization of the daunting task that is ahead in the field of consumer awareness.

It is hardly a consolation that we are in fact a largely law illiterate country, where despite the dismal figure of 20%, Consumer Protection Act happens to be the best known legislation in the country.

The take away for the consumers and of course for us is simple–there is an awfully long way to go!

What is interesting is that the study also concluded that about 74 percent of those who know these regulatory agencies have reported benefiting directly or indirectly from their regulations, while the remaining 26 percent respondents do not agree to this.

See, we have been saying this all the while…knowledge is power and since numbers never lie, our assertion is effectively proven!

And now that research, figures and numbers are in sync with our demand, we say…more power to the Consumers and Consumer Tadka!!!

20% Consumers Know About Consumer Protection Laws (Zee News)

RBI Most Known Regulator (Zee News)

Credit Card Woes! HSBC To Pay 20K For Wrong Listing Of A Credit Car Holder In CIBIL Defaulter List.

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Runjhun

Complaint Against HSBC Bank, To Pay Rs. 20,000 To A Credit Card Holder

Wrong listing in CIBIL defaulter list is one of the most common issues faced by consumers. We had touched upon this issue in a previous story4 Fantastic Things That Can Go Wrong With Your Credit Card.

This is indeed one of the issue that redefine irony. When you actually need a loan, you realize you have already defaulted on a loan you never took!

Of all the times when consumer forum cites mental harassment as a ground for awarding compensation, this is one issue which really and truly manifests what consumer mental harassment looks and feels like!

Obviously, consumer forums are not oblivious to this concern. In the latest story, The New Delhi District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum has ordered HSBC Bank to pay Rs 20,000 as compensation to one of its credit card holders for adding his name in CIBIL’s defaulters list even though he had paid all his dues.

While awarding the amount to the HSBC credit card holder, the forum said the Bank should have “gracefully” accepted its fault instead of adopting an “obstructionist attitude” by seeking rejection of his complaint.

The forum was shocked to observe the obstructionist attitude of opposite party (HSBC) which instead of accepting the fault gracefully by filing a reply, has sought rejection of the complaint on ground of remedy of arbitration under the Credit Information Bureau (India) Limited (CIBIL) Act despite the fact that Consumer Protection Act is not affected by arbitration agreement.

HSBC To Pay Rs. 20,000 To A Credit Card Holder (Business Standard)

Appalling! Today Group’s Bagittoday Refunds Payment For Fake Diamonds Only Upon Issue Of Arrest Warrants!

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Posted on September 12, 2012 by Runjhun

Complaint against Bagittoday and Today Group, Consumer Gets Refund For Fake Diamonds

Tadka Take

Appalling stories of cheating brands are fairly common in our world. What is rare is a fascinating story of a consumer who fights for his rights and sees the end of it, without giving up at any point.

Anything which involves courts, judiciary or related rigmarole is a strict no-no for most people in this country. And consumer forums, by virtue (or vice) of belonging to this family seem to have inherited this untouchability. This despite the fact that consumer forums by far are the most friendly courts in the country with probably the simplest procedures.

As the general hangup continues to haunt the consumer world in the country, it is heartening to come across consumers who were willing to look beyond the perceived hassles and actually take up an issue is the forum with a successful outcome.

Mr. Navindu Singla, was one such consumer, who with a little help from Akosha, ended up securing his due and his rights.

Consumer Story

Mr Singla has been a regular subscriber of India Today for the longest period of time. Loyalty richly rewarded, he received a call from a Today group executive, stating that he was their “premium” customer and has become eligible for an offer under hich Rs. 30,000 worth of diamonds were being given out for half their price, that is, 15000, through its entity Bagittoday.

An offer too good to refuse, and also relying on the reputation that Today group and consequently, Bagittoday enjoys, Mr. Singla, immediately made an online payment for the same. The diamonds arrived along with some free gifts that were approximately worth Rs. 3000 or so.

However, when he got the diamonds checked, much to his horror and dismay, he found that the diamonds were actually fake, with a worth of not more than Rs. 500.

Appalled at being cheated, he immediately called up the Bagittoday’s customer care, demanding a refund as per their policy. As expected, he was greeted with a very rude response, saying that he can’t buy or refund the stuff at will.

In Mr. Singla’s own words, he wasn’t really flustered by the monetary loss. But what really bothered him was rudeness and nonchalance with which the staff of a reputed group like Today behaved with its customers.

This was the point where he came across Akosha. Akosha sent out a letter to the group to no response.

A complaint then filed with the consumer forum. Despite repeated notices, the Group chose to ignore the proceedings and did not make an appearance. An ex-parte order was then passed, ordering the Group to refund the entire amount.

Ironically despite the order, the neither Bagittoday nor Today Group responded. It was at this point, a really and justifiably annoyed Singla, in consultation with Akosha, sought the execution of the order and got non-bailable warrants issued against the CEO of the group.

This extreme step finally evoked a response and the company’s lawyer got in touch with Mr. Singla, which was promptly followed up by payment in full. The flustered Today Group did not even bother to take their stuff back before refunding the amount, leaving a relieved Singla with both money and goods (not that diamonds were worth anything but there were also some other gifts, which at least had some value).

Tadka Take 2

There are a couple of remarkable highlights in this story. The first one being the universal fact of reputed Brands cheating/harassing/tormenting their consumers–as an acceptable routine, with a discomforting nonchalance. When someone like Today Group resorts to consumer harassment, it is disturbing at more levels than one.

But then again, going by the number of complaints that flood our elder siblings at Akosha against Bagittoday, it doesn’t really look like Today Group takes its reputation too seriously.

The second and the more important point here was unruffled mistreatment and mis-behaviour by company personnel. Last we checked, customer care reps by job description are supposed to be polite.

But then, may be we reside in different worlds.

And it is this rudeness which irks most consumers (as Mr. Singla also pointed out) more than the actual loss or act of cheating.

Now, only if companies realized how effective polite customer care could be in cutting down their litigation costs.

Highlights aside, the moral of this story is fairly simple–Consumer forums do work, if approached right and with conviction. There is help out there, only if the consumers were willing to step up and claim their rights.

Stop shoving the issues under the carpet just to avoid some inconvenience. Raise your issues because unless you do that, there is no hope of them getting resolved as they deserve to be.