[Resolved]  Big Bazaar / Futurebazaar / Future Retail / Hometown — Billing System Errors

Address:

Raigad, Maharashtra, 410206

Sir/Madam

Big Bazaar has announced Sabse Sasta six days Sale from 21st Jan to 26th Jan. However, few people know that there is one loophole in the billing system of Big Bazaar since the last two years which has not yet been rectified till date. This loophole is prevalent in all Big Bazaar stores like Vashi, Panvel etc and is most rampant in Panvel Big Bazaar. A consumer would be hoodwinked if he/she does not check the billed amount and calculate the rate per kg applied by the billing system vis-a-vis the rate per kg mentioned inside the store. This is applicable for all vegetables being sold.

On every Wednesday there is a Wednesday bazaar sale where the vegetables are sold at cheaper rates. The prices are mentioned on the rate cards per kg on each rack where the vegetables are displayed. Now the consumer picks up the required quantity and the item is packed at the vegetable counter with the sticker mentioning only the weight of the product and not the total billed amount. The rate per kg is also not mentioned on the sticker.

Now when the consumer completes shopping and proceeds to bill the product and pay the amount, there is a mismatch in the rates the system applies and between the actual rate mentioned in the rack. For example, Capsicum is sold for Rs 20 per kg in the rate rack and the consumer purchases 500 gms, the amount to be actually billed is Rs 10 . However, in the billing system the rate is Rs 40 per kg and the product is billed at Rs 20 instead of Rs 10. Likewise for Ivy Gourd (Tondli) the rate mentioned is Rs 20 per kg whereas the billed rate is Rs 68 per kg. The examples mentioned above are real and the prices prevailing on 25th January 2017 at Panvel Big Bazaar stores.We have experienced these situations several times over the last two years and each time requested for refund and rectification in the billing system so that in future this does not happen. However this loophole still exists in the billing system.

The consumer has to be alert enough to check the bills everytime on the rates charged for each product by calculating the price per kg before they exit the store and then the fight for refund begins where the Customer Service representative does not accept the consumer version and then sends his person to verify the same which is then confirmed that the rate is correct as per the consumer. The difference is then refunded to those consumers who spend precious time and ask for the refund. Many a times the customer service manager does not refund in cash and tries to sell some other product to the consumer for the difference amount which is an unethical practice for their mistake.

The above irregularities can be rectified permanently if at Big Bazaar, for vegetables, the actual price charged for the product along with the weight and rate per kg be printed on the sticker at the Vegetable counter itself. This methodology will eliminate all sorts of errors and the consumer will not be hoodwinked.