Mobile traders demand rules for on-line shopping companies

Say the govt must formulate some rules and regulation for the e-commerce companies to make them more responsible and effective for the customers

The increasing share of e-commerce companies in the mobile share had propelled the traders to demand formulating rules and regulations for the on-line shopping system.

"The government must formulate some rules and regulation for the e-commerce companies to make them more responsible and effective for the customers," Bhavesh Solanki, General Secretary of All India Mobile Retailers Association (ALMRA), said here today. The on-line shopping companies though provide mobile handsets and accessories at cheaper rate but the customers had been unaware that they had been cheated, he added.

Solanki said the e-commerce companies had been reluctant in providing service to the customers. Even there had been issues related to guarantee and warranty on the products purchased on-line. When it comes to service issue, the off-line traders had to face the heat it there had been a major fault as the customers ultimately approach them. The ALMRA opined that there should be some norms needed to keep a tab on the on-line business, Solanki said.

The price wars between online marketplaces like Flipkart, Amazon and Snapdeal had created an unfair expectation in the marketplace and forced the retailers to lower prices to unsustainable levels. Many traders associations around the country have spoken out against e-commerce. Now, the ALMRA had planned to take the issue across the length and breathe of the country.

The association had been setting up state units to strengthen the organization and make its working more effective. However, they believed that once the mobile retailers across the country were mobilized under any banner, they could raise their voice in a more effective manner that would also sent message to the e-commerce companies.