A consumer complaint cannot be filed for goods or services that are used for commercial purposes, or intended to generate a profit. However, if a product is used for self-employment, even if it is involved in profit maximization, it is not considered commercial use. For example, Rahul who owns a transport company cannot file a complaint about a defective truck he purchased for his business use.

1. When can I NOT file a
consumer complaint?

2. CONSUMER COMPLAINT IS FILED BY A
C O N S U M E R E X P R E S S I N G H I S D I S S AT I S F A C T I O N
WITH A PRODUCT OR SERVICE. IT IS AN
I N F O R M A L C O M P L A I N T D I R E C T LY A D D R E S S E D
T O A C O M PA N Y O R P U B L I C S E R V I C E P R O V I D E R .

3. What is a consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is an allegation in writing made
by the complainant that
 Any unfair trade practice or restrictive trade practice has
been adopted by any trader.
 The goods bought or agreed to be bought suffer from one
or more defects.
 Services hired /availed or agreed to be hired /availed
suffer from deficiencies in any respect.
 That a trader has charged for the goods or services
mentioned in the complaint, a price in excess of the
stipulated price.
 That goods or services which are hazardous to life and
safety of the public are being offered to the public

4. Who can file a consumer complaint?
A complaint can be filed by
 A consumer to whom goods are sold or delivered or
agreed to
 be sold or delivered or such services provided or agreed
to be provided.
 Voluntary Consumer Organization
 the Central Government;
 the State Governments or Union Territory
Administration;
 one or more consumers , where there are
numerous consumers having the same interest

5. When can a consumer complaint
NOT be filed?
A CONSUMER COMPLAINT CANNOT BE FILED IF THE GOODS OR
SERVICE ARE USED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES I.E. IF THE
P R O D U C T I S D I R E C T LY U S E D B Y T H E PA R T Y W I T H A N
I N T E N T I O N O F M A K I N G P R O F I T. B U T I F T H E P R O D U C T U S E D I S
F O R S E L F E M P L O Y M E N T, T H E N I T I S N O T C O N S I D E R E D A S
C O M M E R C I A L U S E E V E N I F I T I S D I R E C T LY I N V O LV E D I N T H E
P R O C E S S O F P R O F I T M A X I M I Z AT I O N .
R A H U L T H E O W N E R O F H I G H H E E L S T R A N S P O R T C O M PA N Y
BOUGHT A TRUCK FOR HIS BUSINESS FROM XETTY TRUCKS
LT D . H O W E V E R , W I T H I N F E W D AY S H I S T R U C K W O U L D S T O P I N
M I D D L E O F T H E R O A D A N D O N C H E C K I N G H E F O U N D T H AT
THERE IS SOME ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE. HE CANNOT FILE A
C O N S U M E R C O M P L AI N T B E C AU S E T H E T R U C K H E B O U G H T WAS
FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES AND HENCE COMMERCIAL USE.

6. Consumer rights
Consumer protection gives the following rights to
the consumer-
 The right to be protected against the marketing of
goods which are hazardous to life and property;
 The right to be informed about the
quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price
of goods so as to protect the consumer against unfair
trade practices;
 The right to be assured, wherever possible access to
variety of goods at competitive prices;
 The right to be heard

7. Consumer protection in India
C O N S U M E R I S M I S S TI L L I N I TS I N FAN C Y I N O U R
C O U N T R Y, T H A N K S T O T H E S E L L E R S M A R K E T A N D
T H E G O V E R N M E N T M O N O P O LY I N M O S T S E R V I C E S .
C O N S U M E R AW A R E N E S S I S L O W D U E T O T H E
A PAT H Y A N D L A C K O F E D U C AT I O N A M O N G T H E
MASSES. NO ONE H AS TOLD THEM ABOU T THEIR
RIGHTS – TO BE INFORMED ABOU T PRODUCT
Q U A L I T Y, P R I C E , P R O T E C T I O N A G A I N S T U N S A F E
P R O D U C T S , A C C E S S T O VA R I E T Y O F G O O D S AT
C O M P E T I T I V E P R I C E S , C O N S U M E R E D U C AT I O N
ETC.