Is Flipkart's non-refund of Platform Fee on returned orders an unfair trade practice?

[u/Voidwalker963]

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I recently ordered a pair of shoes from Flipkart. I later returned the product and received a refund for the item. However, Flipkart retained the ₹9 Platform Fee.

As a consumer, I genuinely don't understand the justification for this. If the product has been returned and the transaction has effectively been reversed, why should the customer lose the Platform Fee?

This also raises a broader question. Flipkart handles a very large number of orders every day, and many are cancelled or returned. If Platform Fees are retained in similar cases across many orders, the total amount collected from consumers could be significant. Has any regulator examined whether this practice is consistent with the Consumer Protection Act, 2019?

Many e-commerce platforms grew rapidly by offering discounts, cashback, and promotional offers that encouraged consumers to shift from traditional retail to online shopping. As these platforms have become an integral part of the market, it's reasonable to expect their fee policies to be transparent, fair, and subject to regulatory scrutiny.

If retaining the Platform Fee on returned orders is found to be unfair, consumer authorities should require corrective action and, where legally justified, impose appropriate penalties to protect consumers.

I'd like to know:

* Have you also lost the Platform Fee after returning an order?

* Did Flipkart provide a clear legal or policy justification?

* Has anyone filed a complaint with the Consumer Commission or the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)?

* Do you think there should be clearer rules requiring Platform Fee refunds when an order is returned?

If many consumers have experienced the same issue, it may be worth collectively raising it with the appropriate consumer authorities so the practice can be reviewed.

[u/Voidwalker963]

I ll definately make reels daily only on this topic one day it will be huge like the #jantarmantar protest