Ahmedabad, September 19, 2012

Consumer Education & Research Society (CERS), an Ahmedabad-based NGO working for consumers’ interest, has once again ensured that gullible consumers do not fall prey to unfair trade practices adopted by many of the goods manufacturers and service providers. This time the company in question is a multinational dealing in electronic goods, which was ignoring its obligation arisen out of the warranty given to the buyer of a high-end camera. CERS successfully represented the case in the consumer forum on behalf of Nirmal Ojha, a resident of Ahmedabad, and got him compensated for the defective product along with interest, and the mental agony he had faced and the litigation charges involved.

As per the case details, Ojha had purchased a Sony Cyber Shot camera from Navrang Viniyog Pvt. Ltd, Bodakdev, on November 5, 2010 for Rs. 11,700. A warranty card had also been given for the product, but the camera stopped working within six months from the date of purchase. Since the camera conked out within the warranty period, Ojha approached the service center of the company at Navrangpura. The center initially told him that the repairs would cost Rs. 6,219, but later backed out stating that the camera was non-repairable. Ojha was offered 25% discount on purchase of any other product in lieu of the compensation but his request for replacement was bluntly turned down.

Aggravated by the unfair treatment, Ojha approached CERS and the latter filed a complaint in this regard in the Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Ahmedabad (Rural). After hearing the case, the forum ruled in favour of the complainant on July 26, 2012 and ordered both Sony and its dealer to pay collectively a sum of Rs. 11,700 with interest at 12% per annum against the cost of the camera along with Rs. 3,000 compensation for mental agony faced by Ojha and Rs. 1,000 towards litigation cost.

For further information please contact Ms. Pritee Shah (O) 079 -27489945/46