Ikea Bengaluru Charged With Malpractice; Woman Paid Compensation

In Bengaluru, a woman won her battle against Ikea in the consumer court after the furniture giant billed her Rs 20 for a branded carry bag. The court issuing a verdict in her favor, declared that Ikea had engaged in an unjust business practice. 

The woman was granted a reimbursement of Rs 20, along with an additional Rs 3,000 as compensation for the inconvenience she endured. 

Case Explained

On October 6, 2022, Sangeetha Bohra, a resident of Jogupalya, went to the Ikea outlet located in Nagasandra. She made a purchase totalling Rs 2,428, and upon receiving the bill, she discovered that an additional Rs 20 had been added for a carry bag featuring the Ikea logo.

As reported by The Times Of India, Bohra raised a query with the store staff, inquiring about the necessity of paying for a branded bag when making a purchase. She insisted that bags should be provided to customers without any additional charges. However, since the store employees remained firm in their stance, she ultimately had to purchase the bag.

Asserting that compelling customers to acquire bags displaying the brand's printed logo constitutes deceptive advertising and unjust business practice, she issued a legal notice to Ikea on October 17, 2022.

Ikea responded to her notice, contending that there was nothing unfair about requiring customers to buy bags featuring their logo and declined to provide a refund. In March 2023, Bohra lodged a complaint against Ikea India Pvt Ltd with the Bengaluru Urban First Additional District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Shantinagar.

Further Proceedings & Ikea's Response

In their ruling on October 4, 2023, the judges of the Bengaluru consumer forum emphasized that all costs associated with preparing goods for delivery should be borne by the seller.

Consequently, Ikea's argument was deemed insufficient. The company had argued that the complaint was baseless, lacking in seriousness, and intended to cause annoyance, and therefore should be rejected. They contended that there was no explicit or implied pressure on customers to purchase paper bags, and there was nothing secretive or deceptive about the sale of these bags, with all charges being transparent.

The judges noted that making the purchase of a carry bag optional was necessary, as customers couldn't be expected to bring bags for each individual item. The judges concluded that Ikea had failed to provide adequate service and had engaged in unfair business practices. They determined that the customer was entitled to suitable compensation.

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