Quick commerce platform Zepto has been held responsible for unfair trade practices by a district consumer commission in Telangana. The commission found that the company charged a customer more than the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of a grocery product while showing a discount on the higher price. It has ordered a total payment and deposit of ₹57,000. The case began when K Shiva Ganesh, a 35 year old advocate from Hyderabad, ordered groceries through the Zepto app on September 28, 2023. His order included tender jackfruit and MTR 3 Minute Poha. The total bill was ₹293, including handling charges.
According to the complaint, a product with an MRP of ₹150 was listed at ₹214 and sold for ₹184 after a discount. This meant the customer paid ₹34 more than the printed MRP. Zepto reportedly argued that the price difference was caused by an error and said it had corrected the price after the complaint. However, the commission rejected this explanation and said that charging above MRP while offering discounts on inflated prices was an unfair trade practice.
The commission ordered Zepto to pay ₹2,000 as compensation to the customer and ₹5,000 towards legal expenses. It also directed the company to deposit ₹50,000 into the commission consumer legal aid account. The company must comply within 45 days of receiving the order. The case highlights the importance of checking product prices and keeping bills when shopping online.
