Retail store to pay up for late delivery

The washing machine was delivered after 23 days of purchase

A consumer forum ordered a retail store to compensate a customer for failing to deliver his washing machine on time.

The forum directed Big Bazaar and the washing machine manufacturer, LG, to jointly pay Rs. 5,000 as compensation and Rs. 2,000 towards cost to S. Anandanarayan of T. Nagar, within six weeks.

Anandanarayan purchased an LG washing machine from Future Value Retail’s Big Bazaar store in Pondy Bazaar on May 16, 2010. He paid for it the same day and was promised delivery of the machine at the earliest.

In his complaint, Mr. Anandanarayan said the store delayed the delivery despite repeated reminders from him.

The washing machine was delivered only on June 7, after a delay of 23 days.

He then filed a complaint against the retail store and the manufacturer citing deficiency in service.

Even after receipt of notice from the consumer forum, the retail store and manufacturer did not appear before it or file their counter. Hence the matter was set exparte.

Disposing the complaint, the district consumer disputes redressal forum, Chennai (south), comprising its president V. Gopal and member L. Deenadayalan, said, “It is clear the washing machine was not handed over to the complainant within the reasonable period. The act of the opposite parties amounts to deficiency in service.”