Hyderabad: In a recent development, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Rangareddy has directed IKEA, the global furniture retailer, to pay a compensation of Rs 1,000 to a local resident in Hyderabad. The decision stems from a complaint filed by the consumer, who was distressed after being charged for a paper carry bag during a purchase at the IKEA store.
According to the complaint, the consumer had made a purchase of items worth Rs 816 from IKEA in June 2021. However, upon completing the transaction, the customer was not provided with a carry bag and was subsequently compelled to purchase one adorned with the IKEA logo for Rs 20. Arguing that this practise amounted to unfair trade, the consumer sought redressal through the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
In response to the complaint, IKEA defended its policy, asserting that customers are not obliged to purchase carry bags and are instead encouraged to bring their own. Despite this, the Commission ruled in favour of the consumer, stating that IKEA was not entitled to charge for carrying bags bearing their logo.
As part of the ruling, IKEA’s Hyderabad store has been instructed to pay a compensation of Rs 1,000 to the affected consumer. Additionally, the store is required to deposit Rs 5,000 into the Consumer Legal Aid Account of the Commission to promote awareness about the Consumer Protection Act.
Furthermore, the Commission has set a deadline of 45 days from April 8 for IKEA to comply with the orders. Failure to do so will result in an interest rate of 24 per cent per annum being levied on the deposited amount of Rs 5,000.
In another incident from 2023, a Bangalore woman sued the global furniture store Ikea in a consumer court, winning a refund and Rs 3,000 in compensation for harassment after she was charged Rs 20 by the firm for a carry bag with its logo. The court determined that Ikea had engaged in unfair trading practices and that the seller was responsible for covering all costs associated with preparing the goods for delivery to the buyer. On October 6, 2022, Jogupalya resident Sangeetha Bohra went to the Ikea store in Nagasandra. She paid Rs 20 for a carry bag branded with the Ikea logo after receiving a bill for the Rs 2,428 worth of goods she had purchased.
