HYDERABAD : The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Rangareddy, has ordered IKEA’s Hyderabad branch to compensate `1,000 to a Hyderabad resident for causing distress over charging for a paper carry bag.
The consumer contended that the Swedish-origin company, with headquarters in India based out of Delhi, failed to provide him with a carry bag after he bought items worth `816. Moreover, the consumer said he was used as a promoter of IKEA’s product as he was compelled to buy a `20 bag on which their logo was printed. It amounts to unfair trade practice, he alleged.
In its defence, IKEA argued that it never forces its customers to purchase carry bags, instead, it allows them to bring their own bags to the store.
However, the Commission held that IKEA was not allowed to charge for carry bags, which exhibits its logos.
It also instructed the conglomerate to deposit `5,000 in the Consumer Legal Aid Account of the Commission in order to create awareness about the Consumer Protection Act, adding that all the orders are to be complied with within 45 days from April 8, failing which an interest rate of 24% percent per annum will be levied on `5,000.