Next time when you purchase a commodity from an online portal, check the price tag twice before finalising the transaction as there is every possibility of you ending up paying more than the actual price.
This came to light on Wednesday when Legal Metrology Department conducted raids at the godowns of a private logistics company in the capital.
The company was offering a commodity for two different prices by altering the maximum retail price tags.
For instance, a non-branded children play station with same specifications had different price tags of Rs.199 and Rs.599.
Similarly, mini vacuum cleaner of a particular brand and with same specifications, had two different price tags of Rs.500 and Rs.199, informed a senior official from the department.
“The company, which had tie ups with different online trading portals and organisations, was offering the same commodity at two different prices for consumers and taking them for a ride,” the official said.
According to rules, the company is supposed to have maximum retail price tags, address of the importer, packaging details and other information on every commodity.
But when the department authorities conducted raids at the godown of Pentagon Logistix Private Limited, Bowenpally, they found the company was altering the price stickers on the commodities, some commodities did not have name, address of the manufacturer and price tags, he said. The department seized about Rs.1.26 crore worth commodities from the company godown and slapped 52 cases against it for different irregularities, perhaps the biggest catch in the capital in recent times.
Price alteration stickers
During the inspection, authorities found bundles of price alteration stickers.
The company was importing different commodities, including hair pins, rice cookers, vacuum cleaners, children play stations etc.
It had been operating without valid import licence, packaging licence issued by the Legal Metrology Department and other valid documents since last few years, the official said.
