India’s government warns e-commerce platforms over hidden checkout fees and drip pricing scams that inflate bills. Here’s how to report them to NCH.
Hidden Checkout Fees: The Government Steps In
As India dives into its festive shopping season with events like Flipkart’s Big Billion Days and Amazon’s Great Indian Festival, customers are noticing a frustrating trend — hidden checkout fees inflating final prices. What starts as an attractive discount often ends up costing nearly the same as the original price once all the “extra charges” quietly stack up.
This misleading strategy, known as drip pricing, is now under the government’s radar. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has issued a stern warning to e-commerce platforms using such dark patterns to deceive customers and inflate bills without transparency.
What Exactly Is Drip Pricing?
Drip pricing refers to the tactic of advertising a product at a discounted rate, only to reveal additional costs — such as platform charges or handling fees — at the final checkout.
Imagine spotting a pair of headphones listed for ₹6,000 after discounts. Once you proceed to checkout, the total jumps to ₹6,400 due to service charges or hidden fees. That difference, seemingly small, is drip pricing in action — and it’s everywhere.
It’s a subtle yet manipulative form of marketing, one that not only breaches consumer trust but also blurs the real value of discounts during major sales events.
Other Dark Patterns Related to Hidden Charges
The government’s advisory highlights several unethical tactics beyond drip pricing, including:
Platform service fees added at the last step of checkout.
False GST adjustments, where tax cuts don’t reflect in the final price.
Subscription add-ons sneaked in as processing fees.
Free delivery promotions that mysteriously include delivery charges in the invoice.
These practices, though seemingly minor, collectively erode transparency and trick users into paying more than intended.
How to File a Complaint with the National Consumer Helpline (NCH)
Thankfully, consumers aren’t powerless. The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) provides a simple way to report such hidden checkout fees and deceptive sales tactics.
Here’s how you can raise a complaint:
Call 1915 to connect directly with the NCH team.
Register your issue, specifying the product, the platform, and the pricing discrepancy.
Alternatively, you can also use the NCH app or website to submit detailed complaints.
The more users report, the faster regulatory authorities can curb deceptive e-commerce behavior and ensure transparent pricing across all platforms.
Final Take
Hidden checkout fees might seem like minor inconveniences, but they represent a serious consumer rights issue in the digital shopping era. The government’s crackdown on drip pricing is a welcome move that holds major platforms accountable for their billing practices.
For online shoppers, staying alert and reporting suspicious pricing patterns is the best way to promote a fairer, more transparent e-commerce ecosystem.
