the goan I network
PANAJI
Consumer District Forum has directed Sony India to pay a compensation of Rs 20,000 along with Rs 63,000, the cost of the faulty laptop sold to a customer in November 2014.
The matter dates back to when Naomi Saldanha of Vasco purchased a Sony Vaio Laptop from a Sony Centre run under the name of Shann Mercadores for Rs 63,000 in the year November 2014.
Immediately after use, the laptop showed signs of liquid leakage from the LED display.
The complainant immediately approached Shann Mercadores at Panjim who directed her to approach Zeal Infotech, an authorized service centre at Panaji.
The laptop was handed over for repairs on November 11, 2014. On December 23, 2014, the complainant received an email that the laptop was ready to be handed over.
However, when the complainant went to collect the laptop, she found that more damage had been caused including fresh damages caused by the said handlers at the Sony service centre.
The complainant refused to take the damaged laptop and approached the Consumer Conciliation Committee, but the matter could not be resolved amicably.
Unhappy with their services, the complainant filed a consumer complaint u/s 12 of the Consumer Protection Act before the District Consumer Forum, South Goa at Margao.
Examining two witnesses, defence counsel Savio Noronha argued the Sony India was under the obligation to repair the laptop free of cost as it started malfunctioning during the warranty period.
The defence further said that Sony India Service Centre was duty bound to address and resolve the issue within the period of the warranty which is 12 months from the date of purchase.
District Consumer Forum granted the complaint costs of Rs 5,000 and directed Sony India to pay a sum of Rs 63,000 i.e the cost of the said laptop along with interest of 7% per cent per annum from March 25, 2015.
The Forum also directed Sony India to pay an amount of Rs 20,000 to the complainant as damages with an interest rate of seven per annum from September 3, 2015, the date of filling the complaint till actual payment.
