“Bengaluru Court Orders IKEA to Compensate Customer for ₹20 Paper Bag Charge”
A Bengaluru court has ruled in favor of a customer who was charged ₹20 by IKEA for a paper bag with the company’s logo. The court deemed this as an unfair trade practice, ordering IKEA to pay ₹3,000 in compensation.
In a recent legal decision, a Bengaluru court has ordered IKEA, the Swedish furniture retailer, to pay ₹3,000 in compensation to a customer who was charged ₹20 for a paper bag with the company’s logo. The ruling comes after the customer, Sangeetha Bohra, filed a case with the consumer court, contending that charging for the paper bag was both a service deficiency and an unfair trade practice.
Ms. Bohra made her purchase at the Nagasandra branch of IKEA on October 6, 2022, where she acquired several items and requested a carry bag. To her surprise, she was charged ₹20 for a bag with the company’s logo printed on it. Disturbed by this additional charge, she argued that such fees for paper bags constituted an unfair trade practice, especially since she was not informed about the charge before making the purchase.
In response to these concerns, Ms. Bohra approached the Consumer Commission later in the same month. She based her lawsuit on the premise that the charge for the paper bag was a deficiency in service and constituted an unfair trade practice.
The Consumer Commission, in its recent ruling, supported Ms. Bohra’s claims, agreeing that IKEA’s practice of charging ₹20 for a paper bag amounted to unfair trade practice. The ruling stated, “We are shocked to note the kind of service provided by these big malls/showrooms… the Opposite Party committed deficiency in service and unfair trade practice, and the complainant is bound to be compensated.”
IKEA defended its stance by arguing that charging customers for bags with their branding did not constitute an unfair practice. The company maintained that it did not engage in hidden charges or conceal information from consumers, nor did it breach trust or engage in unfair trade practices.
Nonetheless, the Consumer Commission, headed by President B. N. Arayanappa and Members Jyothi N and Sharavathi S. M, dismissed IKEA’s contention. The court noted that all expenses incurred to prepare goods for delivery should be borne by the seller.
The court also highlighted that consumers were not allowed to bring their own bags, emphasizing the practicality of providing carry bags for shoppers purchasing items from various shops. As a result of the ruling, the Bengaluru Court ordered IKEA to pay the customer ₹20 with interest, along with ₹1,000 in damages and ₹2,000 in litigation expenses. IKEA has been directed to comply with this order within 30 days from the date of receipt.
This case serves as a notable instance in consumer protection, highlighting the significance of transparent pricing practices and ensuring fairness in trade transactions.
Sources By Agencies
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