Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) officers raided a leading supermarket in Bambalapitiya, Colombo 4, which was charging an additional Rs. 200 ‘delivery charge’ from walk-in customers making over-the-counter purchases.

Acting on a public complaint, a CAA officer posing as a customer had purchased some foodstuffs and the cashier had billed him an additional Rs. 200 for ‘delivery’ on Thursday. After he was given the receipt, he had identified himself and the other CAA officers who were outside had moved in to raid the premises and conduct an investigation.

It was found that scores of customers had been charged the ‘delivery fee’ meant for online orders despite the purchases being made and cash paid to the cashier physically.

Supermarkets are authorized to cater to online orders in terms of Covid-19 guidelines but many of them allow customers to make purchases on the basis of a limited number at a time.

“We will be filing legal action against the supermarket concerned as it is a violation of consumer protection laws to apply conditions on sales”, says Thushan Gunawardena, CAA’s Executive Director.

Based on another public complaint that foodstuffs were being sold at inflated prices, the CAA raided the stores of an online delivery service provider in Colombo 15 on Wednesday and found labels altered, pricing changed and conditions attached to sales.

Gunawardena said legal action will be instituted against the merchant for selling goods above marked prices, applying conditions for sale and erasing marked prices/descriptions.

(Suresh Perera)