2 days ago
35 MRP breach costs bike service centre 50,000
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Ahmedabad: A consumer commission has ordered a motorcycle service centre to pay compensation of Rs 50,000 to a customer for charging Rs 35 more than the maximum retail price printed on an engine oil packet.
According to the case details, one Nikunj Parmar visited the Suzuki motorcycle service centre — Arke Suzuki Service — at Nava Vadaj on May 20, 2024, to purchase a packet of engine oil. While the packet bore a maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs 455, the service centre charged him Rs 490. He objected to being charged Rs 35 extra and later filed his complaint with the national consumer helpline portal, but no action was taken against the centre.
Parmar then sued the service centre, Turquoise Autobots LLP and Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd, at the District Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, Ahmedabad (city). The service centre did not respond to the commission's notice within time, and the auto company argued that it should not be held liable since no specific relief was not sought against it.
The complainant submitted that the motorcycle company recommended the company-made engine oil to enhance the vehicle's performance.
When he objected to being charged more than the MRP, he faced verbal abuse as well.
The commission said that the manufacturer's liability is limited in this case according to Section 84 of the Consumer Protection Act. It said the complainant should establish that the overcharging was done at the behest of Suzuki, but there was no such evidence.
The commission stated that charging more than the MRP illegally can be called an unfair trade practice.
"Moreover, the staff misbehaved with the customer, did not use proper language and snatched the oil pack from him. They finally succeeded in extracting Rs 35 more from the customer…This requires an exemplary punishing order," the commission stated and clarified that Suzuki, the company, was not liable.
The commission ordered Arke Suzuki Service and Turquoise Autobots LLP to refund Rs 35 to Parmar with 8% interest and to pay him a compensation of Rs 50,000 for causing mental and physical harassment. It has also ordered an additional payment of Rs 5,000 to the customer towards legal expenses.
