Consumers favour sale of online electronic goods

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, December 15

Electronic goods consumers have flayed the decision of the Uttaranchal IT Traders Association that is pressuring the government to ban the sale of online electronics goods in the state.

Consumers are in favour of online trading as goods sold through websites cost less than what is being sold in the market. Vinod, a consumer who bought a smartphone online recently, said he was able to save around Rs 3,000.

He said online trading was picking up due to huge margin between the prices quoted at retail shops and trading websites.

Another consumer, Rajiv said retailers have to bring down their prices to the level of online traders or face the consequences in form of dipping profits.

Mussoorie Traders Association president Rajat Agarwal said the statewide protest call by the Uttaranchal IT Traders Association against online traders was unjustified as law permits online trading and it generates the much-needed revenue in form of taxes in the state and the country.

However, members of the Uttaranchal IT Traders Association said online trading was affecting their business adversely. “It was impossible to compete with national-level online traders who entice consumers through various gift and credit schemes,” the members added.

Another electronic goods shopkeeper in Mussoorie said the online trading had its advantage but the chances of being cheated were higher as there was no system of refund or maintenance after the sale of products. The IT Traders Association demanded ban on the online trading system in larger interest of the people.

Meanwhile, senior officials in the administration said they could do a little due to the existing laws that permitted online trading.