BATA HAS ADOPTED THIS WORKING MODEL OF MAKING MONE. Review on Bata Stores

I belong to Chandigarh and I had gone to Bhubaneswar for a wedding of my niece on 30th June 2021. During the time Orissa as a state was under Covid 19 lockdown protocol(all shops were closed except essential commodities – can be verified very easily in the government notifications) which was relaxed only on the 1st of July 2021. Shops were open till 2 pm only.

During the event on 30th June, my shoe broke, and fortunately due to the easing of the lockdown the next day I was able to go to the market before 2 pm to be able to see some shoes.

I found a few shops open on a road and went to Sheela shoes around 1 pm. They mostly had local brand shoes available with them. The shoes available of any reputation on the display rack were of the brand of “HUSH PUPPIES A BATA PRODUCT.”

With the trust of a good brand, I bought the shoes. The dealer gave a discount of 10% on MRP on his own account as this was the first day of his shop opening after the lockdown. The same discount is available on https://bata.in for the same shoe.

I bought shoes back at the hotel and worn them for the evening function and lo and behold, they broke. Not even 10 hours after the purchase.

I was very humiliated and harassed and it was my real sister’s daughter's wedding and on the wedding night, I am without shoes. Somehow the night passed and the next day i.e. the 2nd of July, I was back in the shop.

They refused to return the shoes and it states on their invoice, “Goods once sold cannot be taken back or money is not refundable” They offered me the same type of shoe again and it then when I noticed that the shoes were actually manufactured in May 2019, they were already more than 2 years old. So I refused on the account that they may break again and I am not living in the city like a local. I have a flight back on the 3rd back to Chandigarh.

They offered my local shoes but I bought a brand that I trusted in the first place as I did not want to buy local shoes.

I spoke to the customer care and after days, weeks of my following up I have received this reply from Mr. Traun Talwar, Customer Service Team, Bata India Ltd.

“With reference to the concern raised by you, I would like to inform you that the article purchased was under a special sale scheme and under “No Claim, No Warranty” policy.

As per the service policy, articles purchased under Discount Sale are not considered for replacement.

These terms and conditions are clearly stated in the cash memo to ensure transparency in the services provided to our customers.

I regret to inform you that I would not be able to consider the pair you are referring, for replacement.”

Now after reading this I have a few questions:

1.The copy of the bill states very clearly “Goods once sold cannot be taken back or money is not refundable”. Is that not that the case when your product is in a workable condition and does not break in 10 hours of its purchase. Is that the model of quality that a brand like Hush puppies stands for?

2.There is no mention of it being a sale item on the cash memo.

IF BATA HAS ADOPTED THIS WORKING MODEL OF MAKING MONEY DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC, THEN SO BE IT.

HENCE MY RECOMMENDATION. STOP BUYING BOGUS BRANDS THAT DO NOT STAND FOR THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS. BOYCOTT THEM.