Amroha District Commission Holds Reliance Retails Liable For Delivering Defective AirPods Pro With Different IMEI Number

Brief Facts:

Mr Prashant Kumar (“Complainant”) bought Apple AirPods Pro worth Rs. 18990/- from Reliance Retail Limited's (“Retailer”) online website. When the AirPods were delivered, the Complainant observed that the International Mobile Equipment Identity (“IMEI”) number of the AirPods was different than the one printed on the receipt. Further, the AirPods were not properly connecting with the cell phone's Bluetooth. Consequently, the Complainant registered a complaint with the Retailer. However, no reply was received. The AirPods were then sent to Future World Retail India (“Service Provider”). The Service Provider returned the AirPods based on the reason that the IMEI was different and service could not be provided. The Complainant emailed the Retailer again. This time, instead of returning or refunding the AirPods, the Retailer again directed the Service Provider to fix the AirPods. Feeling aggrieved, the Complainant filed a consumer complaint in the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Amroha, Uttar Pradesh (“District Commission”).

Observations by the Commission:

The District Commission perused the evidence presented by the Complainant and established that the Retailer failed to deliver the AirPods with the correct IMEI number. Further, despite several attempts at communication, the customer's grievances were left unresolved. This amounted to unfair trade practices and a violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

Consequently, the District Commission directed the retailer to refund the purchase amount of the AirPods and pay Rs. 3,000/- as compensation for mental agony and Rs. 2,000/- as legal costs to the Complainant.

Case Title: Prashant Kumar vs Reliance Retail Limited and Anr.

Case No.: Complaint No. 25 of 2023

Click Here To Read/Download The Order