In a notable decision, the Kakinada Consumer Commission has fined Apple for failing to deliver on a promotional promise of AirPods, valued at ₹14,900, to a customer who purchased an iPhone. The commission, comprising members Ch. Raghupathy, Vasantha Kumar, Chakka Susi, and Chaganti Nageswara Rao, ordered Apple to either provide the AirPods with a charging case or pay ₹14,900 in compensation, along with an additional fine of ₹15,000.
The case was brought by Chandalada Padma Raju, who had ordered an Apple iPhone on 13 October 2021 from Apple Distribution International in Hollyhill Industrial Cork, Ireland. The company had offered a free gift of AirPods with a charging case alongside the iPhone, which was priced at ₹285,800. However, Raju never received the promised AirPods, despite numerous attempts to contact Apple’s customer service representatives. The company’s failure to respond led Raju to file a complaint with the Kakinada Consumer Commission on 15 February 2024.
After reviewing the evidence, the Commission ruled in favor of the complainant, directing Apple to compensate for the missing AirPods and imposing a penalty. In addition to ₹14,900, Apple was ordered to pay ₹10,000 for mental agony and physical strain suffered by the complainant and a further ₹25,000 in legal costs.
This decision highlights the growing concerns over corporate practices related to promotional offers and the importance of consumer protection. The Commission emphasized that companies must be held accountable for failing to fulfill their commitments and for misleading customers with attractive offers.
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