These days, there is this new rule where the consumers are not only paying high prices of the products but also for the bag to carry it home! We all know how irritating it is to pay Rs.5-10 for the same.
Recently, Domino’s Pizza has been fined Rs.10 Lakh for charging Rs.14 for a carry bag from the customers. Chandigarh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has asked the Jubiliant Food Works Limited (owner of Domino’s Pizza) to refund Rs.14 to those two different customers.
Domino’s In Trouble
Domino’s did not respond to the case where they were asked to refund the payment of Rs.14 each. Further, they were charged Rs.1,500 as harassment compensation, litigation expenses, and mental agony. Not only that, but a penalty of Rs.9,80,000 is also charged on them under Poor Patient Welfare Fund (PPWF), mentioned by PGI Chandigarh.
A similar case had taken place in February 2019, as well. The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-I charged a penalty of Rs.5 Lakh in July for charging Rs.13.33 from a customer, Jitendra Bansal, for a carry bag. Another case took place in November 2019 when it was charged Rs.10 Lakh when Pankaj Chandgothia filed a complaint about a similar reason with District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II.
The Law
The law does not say that anyone can charge for the carry bags. Sub Section (5) of Section 36 of the Sale of Goods Act, 1930 has been quoted well in Pankaj Chandgothia’s application that the entire deliverable situation must be handled by the seller himself which also includes packaging charges.
Not just Domino’s, some of the most leading brands have paid for a similar cause. Bata and Westside have paid Rs.11,000 and Rs.10,500 whereas Lifestyle has paid Rs.13,000. Big Bazaar is also on the list that paid Rs.11,518.
