City showroom asked to pay up

A consumer forum has directed a showroom to pay Rs. 7,000 as compensation to a shopper for debiting a purchase amount twice.

Subramani of Kolathur had been to the Bata showroom on Paper Mills Road and purchased shoe laces and footwear for Rs. 311.10. When he handed over his debit card, the staff swiped the card twice, stating that the first attempt was improper, resulting in a double payment being made. When he approached the showroom for a refund of the excess charge, after ascertaining the same from the bank statement, he was refused a refund.

Concluding that the showroom was negligent and deficient in its service, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum’s (Chennai north) president V. Mohandoss and member L. Deenadayalan ordered the showroom to refund Rs. 311 with interest of 9 per cent from May 16, 2011— the date of purchase — till the date of payment. Further, the showroom was also directed to pay Rs. 7,000 as compensation and cost to the complainant within 6 weeks.