News
Kapruka refunding clients to tune of Rs 1.5mn
Kapruka, the online shopping portal that courted controversy by overcharging customers amidst the COVID-19 crisis, is refunding clients to the tune of Rs 1.5mn, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said.
Legal action will also be taken against the company as soon as courts reopen, an official maintained, but no fine has yet been imposed.
“That will happen based on what the court decides,” he pointed out. Kapruka must hand in an official declaration confirming the full return of the excess charges they imposed and the CAA will check its veracity with customers. Those clients who may have been overlooked could contact the CAA, he said.
There are reports now of more products being sold by other dealers at inflated prices. Flyers of online seafood stores charging exorbitantly (double the market price) circulated on social media this week.
While price controls have not been imposed on seafood, the sale of these goods at rates far exceeding the daily average would result in crackdowns by the CAA, the official warned.
Public cooperation was vital, the Authority says, encouraging widespread reporting consumer exploitation. This would allow them to reach and correct situations faster.
With the systems of main supermarket chains crashing due to an overwhelming number of orders, other home-based businesses have been picking up. Culprits violating CAA regulations are found in this segment of suppliers, too, officials said. But an issue on the scale of Kapruka has not occurred yet.