Flipkart and Chinese smartphone manufacturer OnePlus have been fined Rs 30,000 for marketing a used phone as new.
In addition to the penalties, the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Chandigarh has ordered that the firms repay the whole money paid by the complainant, Ashwani Chawla. Padma Pandey and Preetinder Singh, commission members, presided over the hearing and issued the verdict.
During the hearing, it was discovered that the phone in question had been activated four months before Chawla bought it. The commission noticed that the phone was obtained from Flipkart as a fresh new device, but the service record showed that it had been activated previously. Chawla purchased a new OnePlus 11R 5G from Flipkart in July 2023.
However, after having major problems with the phone, he realised that it had been used before he purchased it. Chawla contacted the OnePlus support centre, but received no response from the manufacturer, vendor, or the internet platform. Frustrated with the lack of help, he decided to buy a new phone and register a complaint with the Commission.
In his complaint, Chawla stated that he received two bills for the same transaction, the second of which included a Rs 49 handling charge. The panel ruled this amount excessive because the first price already contained shipping and handling expenses.
The commission’s verdict said that the phone sold to Chawla was certainly outdated and worn. It further critisised Flipkart, OnePlus and the vendor for their lack of interest in fixing the situation.
The commission concluded that the information submitted demonstrated that the complainant had to go to great lengths to find a solution, but the opposing parties showed little interest in resolving the matter and prioritised profit over customer happiness.
As a consequence, the commission ordered Flipkart, OnePlus, and the reseller to reimburse Rs 40,941 for the mobile phone plus an extra Rs 49 for handling. This verdict serves as a message to ecommerce platforms and manufacturers to prioritise customer pleasure and sell only authentic, fresh items.
