Flipkart penalised for overcharging customer during Big Billion Days sale

A consumer court in Bengaluru ordered the e-commerce giant Flipkart to compensate a customer who was charged above the maximum retail price (MRP) for a product during the ‘Big Billion Sale’ days.

A Bengaluru resident sued the company after she noticed that the amount she paid for a shampoo bought through Flipkart during the Big Billion Days sale was above its MRP.

The consumer court ruled in her favour and instructed Flipkart to compensate her with Rs 20,000 and refund the extra Rs 96 charged.

The court dismissed Flipkart’s defence as insufficient. Additionally, the court directed the company to pay Rs 10,000 for service deficiency and Rs 5,000 for engaging in unfair trade practices.

The city’s consumer court, which handled the case, also criticised the company for unfair trade practices and mandated it to compensate the customer with Rs 20,000, along with refunding the Rs 96 overcharged for the product.

Maximum Retail Price is the highest price that a manufacturer or retailer can legally charge for a product.

Big Billion Days is Flipkart’s annual sale event during which the company claims that it offers massive discounts across various categories.

Earlier this year, the Bengaluru Urban District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission had fined the e-commerce company for failing to deliver an order even after the customer made the full payment in advance.