Imagine finding a fantastic internet offer only to be duped into purchasing something you didn’t intend to, or finding additional costs added right before checkout. Isn’t that frustrating? The government has come up with a new rule to protect customers from such deceptive methods and hidden fees. Consumers can now report unfair internet practices by simply dialing 1915. With this action, e-commerce platforms will be held responsible, and everyone will be allowed to shop online more safely and transparently.
You’re not alone if you’ve ever placed an order from Zepto or been attracted by a huge discount during Flipkart’s Big Billion Days or Amazon’s Great Indian Festival, only to discover at checkout that the total cost is nearly the same. The government is asking internet shoppers to dial 1915 to report dark patterns in the event of hidden charges. Drip pricing is a manipulative technique in which the price that is advertised rises later as a result of unstated costs such as delivery, packaging, or convenience fees.
What Is Drip Pricing?
A marketing tactic known as drip pricing hides the entire cost up front, and additional costs are incurred as the purchase proceeds. Consider this scenario: You notice a fantastic pair of shoes that cost Rs 4,000. The price abruptly increases to Rs 4,200 when you get to the payment page since necessary costs like handling and platform fees, as well as hidden taxes, are added along the way.
The initial pricing of Rs 4,000 was misleading because these payments are mandatory and not optional. The primary issue is that the original or published price does not adequately reflect these hidden costs, which are necessary for you to obtain the product.
Negative Trends Associated With Unknown Extra Fees?
- A specific price appears in your online cart, but you are charged additional fees, such as platform service charges, when you check out.
- GST reductions occur, but they are not reflected in the price you pay for the goods.
- A processing fee is added to the initial value when you sign up for a subscription.
- A promotional offer appears to have no delivery fees, yet the invoice shows the charges included.
What We Should Do
The good news is that you have some power. You can complain about platforms or businesses that use drip pricing or other deceptive practices by calling the National Consumer Helpline (NCH). The NCH can be reached by:
- Dialing 1915
- Going to consumerhelpline.gov.in
- Reporting unethical pricing practices with the NCH app
Consumers can encourage firms to adopt ethical and transparent pricing structures by spreading the word and taking action, guaranteeing fair competition in the expanding e-commerce sector.
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