A consumer court in Bengaluru has pulled up popular liquor retailer Tonique for charging a customer for a carry bag displaying the store’s branding, calling it an unfair trade practice.
The Bengaluru Urban District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, in an order passed last month, directed Tonique to pay Rs 5,000 to the complainant, Praveen B, and Rs 1 lakh to the consumer welfare fund. The store must also refund the Rs 14.29 charged for the bag and cover litigation costs.
The case dates back to November 23, 2023, when Praveen, a resident of St Thomas Town, purchased liquor worth Rs 1,585 from the store and was billed separately for the branded carry bag. He argued that charging for a bag used for advertising constituted a “deficiency in service.”
Tonique claimed the customer voluntarily opted for the bag and was informed about the charge in advance. It added that alternatives were available, including bringing his own bag or collecting the goods later.
However, the Commission rejected the defence, calling the retailer’s justification “unprofessional and unfair.” The forum emphasized that branded bags promote the store and charging customers for them is unjustified.
The ruling reinforces previous consumer forum decisions that businesses cannot make customers pay for branded bags that double as advertising.