The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Ludhiana has directed a furniture company to refund 75% of an invoice amounting to Rs 87,000 and pay Rs 20,000 in composite costs to a customer. The ruling was delivered after it was determined that the marble dining set purchased by the consumer had a severely damaged surface, which constituted an unfair trade practice and deficiency in service.
Case Details
The complainant, Deep Kiran Grewal, a resident of a housing society in Basant Avenue, Ludhiana, purchased the dining set on November 5, 2023. At the time of purchase, the seller assured her of a five-year warranty and free repair services for any defects. Although she had raised issues earlier, she noticed severe surface damage on August 27, 2024, indicating that the table was not genuine marble but merely given a marble look to command a higher price.
Consumer's Plea
Despite multiple requests backed by the invoice and photographs, the company repeatedly delayed repairs or replacement during the warranty period. Grewal subsequently approached the commission, seeking product repair or replacement with real marble, alongside Rs 2,00,000 in compensation and Rs 51,000 for litigation expenses to address her mental agony and harassment.
Commission's Ruling
The furniture company failed to appear before the commission despite being served notices, prompting the panel to proceed with the case ex parte. After evaluating the evidence, the commission concluded that the firm's conduct amounted to an unfair trade practice. It directed Grewal to return the defective dining set within 15 days and ordered the seller to issue the partial refund—representing the product's depreciated value—along with the ordered composite costs.
This case highlights the importance of consumer rights and the recourse available through consumer forums when products do not meet promised standards. Consumers are advised to document all transactions and communications with sellers to strengthen their claims in case of disputes.
