Portronics Digital Private Limited - Delivered defective product

I had placed an order (Order No. ******) for a wireless keyboard (https://www.portronics.com/products/bubble?_pos=*&_sid=****c**ec&_ss=r) with Portronics on their website and paid the full amount (Rs. ***.**/-) in advance on **-Sep-****. They delivered the product, but it was in a damaged condition. I immediately notified them and returned the defective product to them on **-Sep-****.

It was frustrating to send follow-up emails repeatedly (for more than a month) requesting them to deliver the product. Finally, they delivered another keyboard on **-Oct-****.

To my surprise, this, too, was defective. It is not taking power. I put in new batteries (AAA), but unfortunately, they sent a dead product only to deceive me and avoid fulfilling their delivery obligations. Thereafter, I once again sent emails (help@portronics.com) requesting an exchange or refund. But they did not respond. Even after warning them about my filing a case in the consumer court, they remain incommunicado!

On digging further into other consumer complaints on social media, I was astounded to see several grievances. Even their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Portronics.India/reviews) is full of complaints. I strongly believe they are deliberately dumping cheap and spurious products to swindle the money from gullible customers. They do not respond to any grievances. Many customers have reported that they have to pay for the courier charges. This is a cunning tactic to discourage customers from requesting replacements. In my case, I would have paid for the courier charges if the product was faulty at a later stage (it has a one-year warranty). But they have delivered a defective unit itself. So they should bear the cost and exchange or refund my money.

Even after ** days, I do not get the product that I have already paid for. Such cheating has to stop with severe punishment. Online shopping has become a frustrating experience because of such unscrupulous merchants.