Markets across Faridabad are currently buzzing with festive cheer as shopkeepers roll out diverse offers and attractive discounts to pull in buyers. Retailers are offering price cuts ranging from twenty percent all the way up to fifty to sixty percent. Caught in the rush and excitement, customers frequently make hurried purchases without properly inspecting the goods, only to discover later that the product is defective or that the seller used misleading claims to push substandard items. To shed light on what buyers can do in such situations and how they can secure a refund, Advocate Mohan Tiwari, who practices at the Sector 12 court in Faridabad, shared key legal insights.
Sellers Bear Direct Accountability for Billed Goods
According to legal experts, if a customer purchases any item during a Diwali sale and the vendor issues a proper bill for it, the responsibility for the quality of that merchandise rests squarely on the shopkeeper. If the product turns out to be faulty, the buyer has every right to approach the merchant and demand either a replacement or a full refund. Even if the vendor made false promises about the product's performance and delivered something entirely different, the customer still retains the ground to file a complaint against them.
Approaching the Consumer Forum for Redressal
When faced with a defective festive purchase, a buyer should first visit the shopkeeper directly, inform them that the item bought from their store is faulty, and demand a replacement or money back. If the seller flatly refuses to cooperate, the aggrieved customer can take the matter to the consumer forum. Residents of Faridabad are required to file their formal complaints specifically at the Faridabad consumer forum to seek justice.
Why Maintaining Bills and Payment Proof Matters
Obtaining a proper bill during festive shopping is absolutely essential. If the transaction was completed digitally, keeping the UPI payment receipt is crucial, and cash payments must always be accompanied by a bill from the vendor. During legal proceedings, these very documents serve as undisputed proof of purchase, enabling buyers to pursue further action effectively. Consumers must remain vigilant during festive shopping sprees, thoroughly inspecting products before making any payments.
Police Complaints and Handling Cases of Fraud
It is often wise to inform the shopkeeper beforehand that any defective merchandise will need to be exchanged or refunded, which helps prevent future hassles. If a buyer experiences outright cheating, the nature of the fraud must first be evaluated. Matters strictly related to merchandise and products belong in the consumer forum, whereas other forms of fraud can be reported directly to the local police. The exact course of action always depends on the specific circumstances of the case.
