Lifestyle directed to pay Rs. 20K to customer for charging Rs. 5 for bag

Hyderabad: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Lifestyle, located at CCM Mall in Banjara Hills, to pay Rs. 20,000 compensation to a consumer for charging Rs. 5 for a bag.

Mohammed Raheem purchased clothes from Lifestyle in September 2019 for Rs. 1,790 and was charged Rs. 5 for a paper bag that bore the name of the shop, 'MAX FASHION.COM.'

In fact, Mr. Raheem said he had no intention of purchasing the carry bag and had asked the cashier for a free bag to carry the purchased clothes. When he contacted the supervisor, he was told that earlier the store used to charge for plastic bags and now they are charging the customers for paper bags. The supervisor told Mr. Raheem that they do not provide free bags to any customer and the latter was left with no option but to purchase a bag.

Mr. Raheem informed the store and the supervisor that he will file a complaint regarding the unauthorised charge and the supervisor told him to "do whatever you want."

Lifestyle, in its written version to the commission, said Mr. Raheem had expressed his willingness to purchase the carry bag and moreover, they gave him a special discount of Rs. 50 on his purchases which he deliberately suppressed in his complaint.

It further said that in order to protect the environment, they have been providing paper bags to customers and collecting a nominal amount with a view to encourage customers to bring their own bags while shopping.

After going through the submission, the commission perused the decision rendered by the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, New Delhi, wherein it was held that "By not allowing the customers to bring in the shop premises, their own carry bags, and thrusting its own carry bags against consideration, the appellant is deficient in providing service and also indulged into 6 unfair trade practice. No case is made out to reverse the findings of the respective District Forum in each appeal."

The commission asked Lifestyle to refund Rs. 5 collected for the bag and to pay Rs. 20,000 as compensation to Mr. Raheem.