Question : Case Study 5
A consumer bought a shirt online and paid for it in advance. However, the shirt never arrived, and the seller's website is now inaccessible. What action can the consumer take under the Consumer Protection Act?
Option 1: File a complaint with the local police against the seller.
Option 2: Lodge a complaint with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for payment fraud.
Option 3: File a complaint with the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission directly.
Option 4: Register a complaint with the consumer court for deficiency in services.
Correct Answer: Register a complaint with the consumer court for deficiency in services.
Solution : The correct answer is (d) Register a complaint with the consumer court for deficiency in services.
When a consumer purchases a product online, pays for it in advance, and does not receive the product as promised, it constitutes a deficiency in services. In such cases, the consumer should file a complaint with the appropriate consumer dispute redressal forum, which can vary depending on the value of the transaction. Typically, the consumer should start with the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum for such cases and seek redressal under the Consumer Protection Act. The consumer court can help resolve the issue and, if necessary, provide compensation or a refund. Filing a police complaint may also be an option, but it is generally advisable to start with the consumer court for consumer protection-related matters.
