All involved in sale of phone liable for damages

Mumbai: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum at Bombay Central has held that the online shopping portal, as well as the seller and manufacturer, are liable to refund the cost of a faulty product as well as pay compensation for mental agony and litigation costs to the consumer for deficiency of service.

The order was passed recently after a buyer approached the forum complaining that  he had purchased a Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 for Rs10,999 on February 22, 2017, through Flipkart and the same was delivered to him on February 26, 2017. Within 15 days the phone developed problems, and hence he approached the service centre on March 25, 2017, where he was informed that there was liquid damage and the repairs would cost Rs 7,500.

Even though he demanded free of costs repairs as stipulated in the warranty conditions, the service centre refused to oblige, and hence he filed the complaint seeking a refund.

After perusing the written statements submitted by Flipkart and the seller, the forum decided to pass the order in the absence of any statement by the service centre.

The forum president B.S. Wasekar and member S.R. Sanap in their order held that Flipkart, the seller, the manufacturer and customer care of the manufacturing company were all liable to repair/replace the mobile.