The man had bought a pair of jeans and a T-shirt from the company’s store, but an amount of Rs 10 was added to his bill for a carry bag that bore the brand’s name.
“We cannot lose sight of the fact that when any person visits even to street hawkers to purchase small articles, then street hawkers or street vendors supply the carry bag with articles or wrap the articles in newspaper, meaning thereby they hand over sold articles in deliverable state, but these big players and mega marts are charging for the carry bag,” the commission observed on August 21.
Charged Rs 10 extra
The complainant claimed that on April 14, 2025, he had purchased a pair of light blue jeans and a navy blue T-shirt from the company’s store at a discounted price. At the time of billing, the employee at the counter offered the man a carry bag, which he took, believing that it was being provided free with the items he had purchased.
However, after looking at the bill, the man was surprised to see that an additional Rs 10 had been charged for the carry bag. He immediately told the employee that the amount had been wrongly charged and requested a refund, but the employee allegedly refused, saying the bill had already been issued and the payment could not be returned.
The man also asked the employee to show him any guideline allowing the company to charge Rs 10 for the carry bag, but no such document was shown to him. He later sent a legal notice to the company, but did not receive any relief. He then approached the commission alleging deficiency in service and unfair trade practice. The man was represented by advocate Aditya Sharma.
Story continues below this ad
‘Eco-friendly move’
The brand, through advocate Ketan Singh, submitted that the company has an authorised global footprint spanning 17 countries across six continents and is listed among the top footwear brands in the market. Singh pointed out that if a customer purchases any item from the store, the company does not provide a carry bag and the customer has to purchase an extra carry bag.
He argued that the company’s charge for the carry bag was to promote customers to be environmentally friendly by giving a message to save trees and ecology, and to reduce the usage of carry bags, which customers misused when they were provided free of cost.
Pointing out that there is no compulsion for the customer to purchase a carry bag from the store, the lawyer denied that the employees of the store offered the complainant a carry bag, which he took as complimentary, and was surprised to see that Rs 10 was deducted in the bill.
No notice about charges: Commission
The commission noted that the complainant had visited the store to buy jeans and a T-shirt, not a carry bag. It also referred to an earlier decision of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, which held that a carry bag sold by a retailer must be optional and cannot carry the seller’s name, logo, advertisement or slogan. If it does, the seller cannot charge the customer for it.
Story continues below this ad
The commission found that the company had not produced evidence to show that it had displayed the required notices informing customers about the carry bag charge. It further noted that the carry bag in this case carried the company’s name along with a different logo promoting a sustainable environment. Since the bag was not plain, the company could not charge the customer for it.
Accordingly, the commission directed the company to refund Rs 10 to the complainant. It also ordered the brand to pay Rs 5,000 as compensation for mental harassment and Rs 3,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total amount to Rs 8,010. The company was given 45 days to comply.
Takeaway
This ruling highlights that retailers cannot charge customers for a carry bag carrying the seller’s name, logo or advertisement. Where a carry bag is sold separately, the purchase must be optional, and the applicable notice and other conditions must be followed.
Aggrieved consumers may contact the consumer helpline in their respective states (Himachal Pradesh: 1800-180-8087) or call the National Consumer Helpline at 1915 for assistance.
Story continues below this ad
Don’t miss out on these stories:
Rs 7.9 lakh cheque cleared with forged sign? Bank of Baroda asked to pay Rs 8.5 lakh
‘Faulty’ paper-straw machine hits start-up, device makers to pay Rs 11 lakh
Tour agency fails to arrange complimentary foreign trip, Kerala man wins Rs 2 lakh
