Flipkart customer Ayan Das alleges being charged ₹24,643 upfront instead of the agreed 12-month No Cost EMI for his IFB AC purchase. Read the complete case details, evidence, and expert analysis from Choice4Voice.com
Complaint Summary : Flipkart EMI Payment Complaint – Ayan Das Claims ₹24,643 Charged in Full Instead of 12-Month EMI for IFB AC
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Complainant Name | Ayan Das |
| Designation | CRM Admin for East at IFB Industries Ltd |
| Company Complained Against | Flipkart |
| Product Purchased | IFB 1.5 Ton 3-Star Split Air Conditioner |
| Order ID | OD434399280951445100 |
| Order Date | 13th May 2025 |
| Delivery Date | 15th May 2025 |
| Payment Method | HDFC Bank Credit Card |
| Expected Payment Plan | 12-Month No Cost EMI – ₹2,054/month |
| Actual Transaction | ₹24,643 debited in a single transaction |
| Issue Type | EMI conversion failure / incorrect payment processing |
| Financial Impact | Significant burden due to lump-sum deduction |
| Complaint Raised On | Flipkart app support |
| Support Status Shown | “Resolved” (but not actually resolved) |
| Evidence Provided | EMI selection screenshot, order confirmation, complaint screenshot |
| Complaint Status | Pending |
| Original Source | View LinkedIn Post |
Full Complaint Details
Purchase & EMI Selection Process
On 13th May 2025, Ayan Das purchased an IFB 1.5 Ton 3-Star Split AC worth ₹24,643 from Flipkart. While checking out, he selected the 12-month No Cost EMI option through his HDFC Bank Credit Card, which displayed a clear installment amount of ₹2,054 per month.
A No Cost EMI plan is specifically designed to make high-value purchases affordable, and Ayan’s decision was based on careful budgeting for his monthly expenses. This EMI confirmation was shown on the Flipkart payment page before placing the order.
Payment Error & Financial Impact
Instead of processing the payment in monthly installments, Flipkart charged the full ₹24,643 in one transaction. This was directly against the terms shown to the customer and created serious financial strain for Ayan.
Such unexpected lump-sum deductions can disrupt a consumer’s financial planning, possibly leading to:
- Delay in paying other bills or EMIs
- Over-limit fees or interest charges on the credit card
- Loss of trust in the platform’s payment promises
Complaint Filing & Flipkart’s Inaction
After noticing the incorrect charge, Ayan immediately raised a complaint via the Flipkart mobile app. He attached screenshots showing:
- EMI option selected during checkout
- Order confirmation details
- Active issue raised in the support section
Despite providing proof, Flipkart marked the case as “Resolved” without actually fixing the issue. The EMI was not applied, and the lump sum remained debited.
This has left the consumer frustrated, as the “resolved” tag in customer support gives a false sense of closure without any real corrective action.
Demands from Flipkart
Ayan has requested:
- Immediate investigation into why the EMI failed
- Conversion of the payment into the agreed 12-month No Cost EMI
- Written confirmation from Flipkart stating the updated EMI schedule and assurance of no extra charges
Choice4Voice.com Analysis
Cases like this highlight a critical gap in e-commerce payment handling. If a platform confirms EMI at checkout but charges the full amount, it can fall under misleading trade practices as per the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Additionally, RBI guidelines require merchants to ensure accurate EMI processing when offered at the time of sale. Errors like these not only harm consumers financially but also damage brand trust.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who is the complainant, and what did he purchase from Flipkart?
A: The complainant is Ayan Das, CRM Admin for East at IFB Industries Ltd. He purchased an IFB 1.5 Ton 3-Star Split Air Conditioner worth ₹24,643 from Flipkart on 13th May 2025. The order was delivered on 15th May 2025.
Q2: What payment plan was chosen during checkout?
A: Ayan selected the 12-month No Cost EMI option via his HDFC Bank Credit Card, with a monthly installment of ₹2,054. This plan was clearly shown on Flipkart’s checkout screen and was one of the deciding factors for his purchase.
Q3: What exactly went wrong with the payment?
A: Instead of converting the payment into monthly EMIs, Flipkart debited the full ₹24,643 in one go. This violated the agreement shown at checkout and removed the financial flexibility that EMI offers.
Q4: Why is this payment error a serious issue for consumers?
A: EMI plans are chosen to spread out expenses and avoid financial strain. Charging the full amount upfront can cause:
- Credit card over-limit penalties
- Inability to pay other EMIs or bills on time
- Higher interest charges due to balance shortfalls
- Emotional stress from sudden financial pressure
Q5: How did the complainant try to resolve the issue?
A: He immediately raised a support ticket via Flipkart’s app, attached proof of EMI selection, and shared transaction details. However, the ticket status was later marked “Resolved” without any correction to the payment plan.
Q6: What was Flipkart’s official response to the complaint?
A: According to the complainant, Flipkart has not given a valid explanation. The “Resolved” status in the app does not reflect any actual action taken to convert the payment into EMI.
Q7: What kind of evidence was submitted by the complainant?
A: Screenshots of:
- EMI option chosen during checkout
- Order confirmation details with price
- Active issue raised in Flipkart support section
Q8: What are the possible technical reasons behind this EMI failure?
A: Possible causes could be:
- Payment gateway processing errors
- EMI option not being correctly communicated to the bank
- Backend system glitches during order confirmation
- Misconfiguration of credit card EMI settings
Q9: Can Flipkart still fix the problem now?
A: Yes. Flipkart can coordinate with the payment gateway and HDFC Bank to retroactively convert the transaction into EMI, provided all terms were met during purchase.
Q10: What do RBI guidelines say about such payment issues?
A: RBI mandates that if EMI is offered and confirmed at the time of sale, merchants must ensure correct processing. If an EMI fails to apply, the consumer can raise a formal dispute with the bank or approach the RBI Ombudsman.
Q11: Could this case be considered misleading advertising?
A: Yes. If EMI is prominently offered and confirmed at checkout but not honored, it may fall under misleading trade practices under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Q12: What legal remedies are available to the consumer?
A: The consumer can:
- File a complaint with the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
- Approach the RBI Banking Ombudsman for payment disputes
- Demand compensation for financial loss and mental harassment
Q13: How long should EMI processing normally take?
A: For most credit cards, EMI conversion happens instantly or within 3–7 business days of the transaction. Delays beyond this may indicate a processing error.
Q14: How does No Cost EMI work in reality?
A: Under No Cost EMI, the interest cost is borne by the seller or brand, not the consumer. The monthly installment is calculated by dividing the purchase price by the number of months, without adding interest.
Q15: Could the bank also be at fault here?
A: It’s possible. If Flipkart communicated the EMI request but the bank failed to apply it, the fault may partly lie with the bank. However, it is usually the merchant’s responsibility to ensure correct EMI processing.
Q16: What are the wider implications of such cases for e-commerce?
A: Repeated EMI failures can lead to loss of customer trust, negative brand reputation, and increased regulatory scrutiny from consumer protection authorities.
Q17: How can other customers avoid such problems?
A: Customers should:
- Take screenshots of EMI selection during checkout
- Check their credit card statement within 48 hours of purchase
- Immediately raise a complaint if EMI is not applied
- Follow up with both the merchant and the bank
Q18: What is the complainant’s primary expectation from Flipkart?
A: He expects:
- Correction of payment into 12-month EMI
- Written confirmation of the new payment schedule
- Assurance that no additional charges or interest will be applied
Q19: Why is this a consumer protection concern and not just a technical glitch?
A: Because it involves financial harm to the customer, a breach of advertised terms, and a failure to resolve the issue through customer service. These factors make it a consumer rights violation, not just a system error.
Q20: What does Choice4Voice.com recommend to Flipkart in this case?
A: Flipkart should:
- Urgently investigate and fix the issue
- Compensate the consumer for inconvenience
- Audit its EMI payment process to prevent recurrence
- Ensure customer complaints are not marked “Resolved” without genuine resolution
