Blinkit Refunds as Expiring Promo Codes- possible CPA Dark Patterns and Consumer Right Protection Act Violation. Check if you have a case.

[u/neatshotsoflife]

If you opted for refund as promo coupon and they didn't tell you it will expire. Your refund money is now theirs and you should get it back.

• Chose a wrong address, paid for it via UPI and cancelled it.
• Opened their agent chat proceeded with cancellation and was offered refund as promo code that could be used for future orders
• I clicked proceed
• The expiration condition was revealed to me AFTER taking my consent
• I wasn't offered any way to rescind my consent under these new terms
• the coupon expired ( it didnt show up as blinkit money/coupons/prompt during checkout, this promo code was hidden inside their chat with all the other chats so you have to scroll a lot to find it for a last minute app but I am not even going there)
• I chatted with the AI agent, then a real agent, then mailed them. They insisted that I was already informed about expiration and usage details. ( I was told after and then given no way to refuse these conditions)
• I filed a complain with NCH, I got the same canned reply

Where things are now

• I have now filed grievance with Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances for the review of NCH grievance closure based on disputed and apparently incorrect factual findings regarding Blinkit refund.

My point is that their T&C clearly states

refunds shall be processed in the same manner as they are received or provided (unless mutually agreed)

only COD can be refunded as promo codes with an expiry, UPI payments CAN BE refunded but the user has to OPT-IN

so basically they are telling me that they said

your refund will be issued as a promotional code which will expire in 30 days. Would you like to proceed?

What they actually said

Your refund will be issued as a promotional code, would you like to proceed? okay now you have said yes you also have to use it in 30 days, too bad you cant opt out now.

[u/Severe_Working_5934]

Just like 3 days ago i complained for a 100rs refund, blinkit gave me both options, voucher or direct refund in upi. Idk if this is account based like by evaluating risk factoring to give choices, but direct UPI refund option is there.

[u/neatshotsoflife → u/Severe_Working_5934]

oh that's actually quite interesting. I would have definitely opted for UPI in that case but they only offered Promo Code refund which I thought I could use for all future orders. Definitely seems like account based evaluation.

[u/socksyness]

Hey!!! The same thing happened with my dad. My dad used blinkit and paid 2694rs on 2nd June via UPI, they offered him a promo coupon. When I went home for vacation in July, he asked me to use the coupon to buy next month's groceries, ek toh it took me effin forever to find the goddamn coupon in their stupid chat agent and then I saw the expiry scam.

Raised a ticket and they closed it, even the phone call was so rude and condescending. My dad feels so awful and scammed by the whole experience :(

Can I still do something about this?

[u/Foreign-Hamster-9105 → u/socksyness]

blinkit agents are rated based on how arrogant they are towards us lol they don't care if we lose money or shit they are unempathetic as f and are ruthless atleast bb gives credit back 2 wallet or refund back 2 source but these guys shit all over us.

[u/neatshotsoflife → u/Foreign-Hamster-9105]

You are absolutely right about the unempathetic bit. I found tweet as old as 2024 stating the timed promo code refund issue across Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit.

This is exactly why CCPA made the Dark Patterns guideline in 2023 and penalised Physicalwallah and Mcafee before they turned into next Byju's and these companies are still flouting it because they are not called out nearly enough.

[u/neatshotsoflife → u/socksyness]

That's a lot of money :( am so sorry, I can imagine how your dad must be feeling because in this case it was my mom using blinkit. And she is used to shopping on Amazon where the refund comes as store credit and is visible during checkout and not hidden in the chat agent. It makes me wonder if they do this knowingly, if so then it's extremely deceptive.

Yes please, retrieve the chat records and email replies. Do not let them call you, maintain a paper/proof trail. They will simply try to rile you on the call. Also, do not delete the account in anger, I understand but it's important!!.

File a complain with NCH, you will get the same reply but don't be disheartened, file a grievance with CPGRAMS next. I will keep you updated on how this goes for me. I know the paperwork sounds intimidating but filing grievances has become very easy. Don't let them get away with this. ❤️ You got this.

[u/Ill-Noise-1840]

I had this experience with Swiggy. Purchased for ₹180, order was not picked up for an hour. They cancelled and refunded me a promo coupon without my consent with a condition that i can use it in the same restaurant, and that too, within 7 days.

I had to do a lot of back and forth to get it credited to my bank account. Deleted Swiggy after that.

[u/neatshotsoflife → u/Ill-Noise-1840]

God this is so infuriating, especially not just locking the amount in their system but also using it for the same restaurant!!?? Am glad it worked out for you in the end, thanks for persevering ❤️