Sony to pay customer Rs 18K for selling "non-marketable good"

Observing that the product "had some inherent defect" and was not a "marketable good", the North Delhi District Consumer Forum directed Sony to refund its customer the cost of the music system.

"We are of the opinion that the good is not marketable good. In our opinion, ends of the justice will be met if the Sony and its dealer are directed to refund the price of the music system.

"Accordingly, we direct Sony Electronics and its dealer jointly and severally to refund the price of the music system in question i.E. Rs 16,900. Apart from the above, they shall also pay a sum of Rs 2,000 to the complainant towards cost of litigation," the bench presided by Babu Lal said.

 

The order of the forum came on a plea by Daryaganj resident Abdul Wajid, who said the Sony Hi Fi MHC GZR7D music system he purchased on April 11, 2009 for Rs 16,900 started giving trouble from the day one and till January 29, 2010 the system had malfunctioned eight to nine times and still had some defects, despite having been repaired each time.

The forum pointed out that a customer buys a particular product "relying on the name and credibility of the company with expectation that it will give due performance and function smoothly", but if several complaints are made during the span of a mere 8 months from the date of purchase, the said product "cannot be a marketable good".