CONSUMER BEING CHEATED!!

Submitted by: Khushi Sharma Submitted to: Consumer Assisto

With the advancements in technology and busy lifestyle, the online shopping seems
convenient and effortless to a majority of people. The needs of people are increasing
with enhancement in their statuses due to increase in their salaries, but because of the
same people find it very difficult to get time for fulfilling their needs like on their
own. It is due to these reasons that online shopping or e-shopping has successfully
made their place in today’s time. Nowadays e-shopping is the most helpful resort
people find to get whatever they require without putting much efforts and time (all it
takes are just few clicks). But as it said, you can’t have it all at once.
Many times the buyers are left dissatisfied or cheated in many instances, this is what
has happened with me. Few months back, I was cheated by an online seller. As one of
my friend’s birthday was approaching I decided to order a pair of shoes for his
present, and I bought a Nike shoes from one of the online sellers, as he assured
genuine products. My package got delivered to me within a week. But I was shocked
to see that the product was not at all resembled to what it was shown at the website, it
was a copy of the original also the colour wasn’t what I ordered. I contacted the seller
regarding the issue and asked him a refund but he was reluctant in doing so and
wasn’t even willing to resolve my issue. After several attempts to get in touch with
him I found that he blocked me and I was left with no other option then to keep what I
got. I was disheartened due to what has happened and even after trying various modes
to get in contact with the seller a lot of times, he just escaped from the situation. He
was a resident of Jaipur so I couldn’t even go to his office. All my efforts gone in vain
and at last I was left unheared and with no other option then to keep what malafied
product I received. This was a personal experience where I was cheated as a consumer
from an online seller, after which I doubt all the online sites regarding their
authenticity and don’t really shop online much. I didn’t contact any consumer portals
because of the lack of time and knowledge about the concerned authority. One of the
reason of not taking a stringent action was that not a lot of money was involved in the
purchase so I decided to let go, which I know I shouldn’t had. But the reason we
prefer online shopping was due to the lack of time and all this process would have
been time taking, thus I avoided.
 THE LEGAL ASPECT!!

 What laws govern e-commerce?

 Consumer Protection Act, 1986

 Information Technology Amendment Act, 2008
 Policies laid down by regulatory bodies like Reserve Bank of India, Indian
Medical Association (IMA) etc, depending on the product/service sold. For
example, IMA regulations will apply in cases where medicines are sold online.

 From where to seek redressal?

There are many consumer rights organizations across the country that work with
citizens and government agencies. You can join these organizations to strengthen the
consumer rights movement, or seek their help in resolving your complaint. Here are
some of them:
1. Consumer Care Society, Bangalore. Ph: 080-26713616/8618226492
Email: ccsbng@gmail.com
2. Grahak Sahayak, NCR. Ph: 9310428285. Email: ramavtarkhosia@gmail.com
3. Deepalaya, Kolkata. Ph: 9903278064 Email: deepalaya_wb_ngo@yahoo.co.in
4. Citizen consumer and civic Action Group, Chennai. Ph:044-24994458/
24660387. Email: helpdesk@cag.org.in
5. Consumer Guidance Society of India, Mumbai. Ph: 1800-222262, 022-22621612/
22659715. Email: mah.helpline@gmail.com, cgsibom@gmail.com