A product or service was defective and they won't refund you?

You paid for something — a phone, an appliance, a service — and it was faulty, and now the seller is dodging you: "policy", "no refunds", "come back later". It's the kind of small injustice that's easy to give up on, which is exactly why sellers try it. Consumer law is squarely on your side here, and the process to use it is more accessible than most people realise.

What you're entitled to

As a consumer you have the right to goods and services that actually work as promised, and to a remedy when they don't — a repair, a replacement, or a refund. A "no refund" sign doesn't override your legal rights when the product was genuinely defective or the service wasn't as described. Unfair terms don't beat the law.

The steps that usually work

1. Complain in writing to the seller or company — state the defect, what you want (refund/replacement), and a reasonable deadline. Keep the bill and any warranty.
2. Escalate to their grievance channel if the first message is ignored — most companies have one, and it often moves things.
3. File a consumer complaint if they still won't act. India's consumer forums exist for exactly this, and you can file online through the official e-Daakhil portal without needing a lawyer for smaller claims.

The reassuring part

Consumer forums are designed for ordinary people, and the threat of a formal complaint often gets a refund moving on its own. You don't need to accept "that's our policy" as the last word.

Not sure if your problem qualifies or what to write? Tell Miss Lucy Lite what happened and she'll help you frame it.