Occurrences of individuals falling victim to fraudulent sellers on online marketplaces have become increasingly prevalent. These unfortunate incidents often involve unsuspecting buyers receiving fake or inferior products instead of the genuine items they ordered. A recent case highlights the challenges faced by customers and the influential role of social media in holding companies accountable for such misconduct.
In a specific incident, a college student named Atharva Khandelwal found himself embroiled in such a situation after purchasing a laptop worth Rs. 76,000 from the well-known e-commerce platform, Flipkart. To his surprise, upon unpacking the delivery, he discovered a pair of low-cost speakers instead of the eagerly awaited laptop. Atharva turned to the social media platform ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter) to express his disappointment and seek resolution from the company.
In his widely circulated post, Atharva recounted his ordeal, describing how the delivery date had been repeatedly delayed, eventually compelling him to visit a Flipkart hub to collect his order. The delivery staff insisted on an OTP before permitting him to open the package, citing standard procedure. Much to his dismay, the package contained the subpar speakers, not the promised laptop. Atharva had substantial evidence, including video footage and a confession from the delivery person, to support his claim.
His post read: “Had an unbelievable experience with @Flipkart! Ordered a Macbook M1 worth 76,000 INR, but received inexpensive speakers instead. Despite having solid evidence of their own delivery executive mishandling the situation, they’re refusing a refund under the ‘no returns’ policy. All evidence attached.”
Despite the compelling evidence presented, Flipkart cited its ‘no returns’ policy as grounds for denying his request for a refund or replacement. Atharva’s frustration was evident as he criticized the company’s stance on social media. He sought support from consumer advocacy groups and pledged to persistently voice his grievances until justice was achieved.
The impact of Atharva’s tweet was undeniable, leading to widespread attention and virality. Responding to the growing public pressure, Flipkart publicly acknowledged the issue and assured Atharva of their commitment to resolving the matter.
However, the situation took a distressing turn when Atharva shared on Reddit that he had contemplated suicide due to the distress caused by the ordeal. In an unexpected development, Flipkart eventually reached out to Atharva, promising to initiate a refund for his purchase.
