Government Warns Online Shoppers About Drip Pricing Scam
The Indian government has issued an urgent warning to online shoppers about ‘Drip Pricing,’ a deceptive practice where hidden charges inflate final bills during festive season shopping.
Key Takeaways
- Drip Pricing hides mandatory fees until the final payment stage
- Initial prices appear attractive but jump significantly at checkout
- Report such practices to National Consumer Helpline: 1915
What is Drip Pricing?
Drip Pricing is a marketing strategy where e-commerce platforms display attractive initial prices but reveal compulsory additional charges only during the final payment stage. These hidden fees – including handling charges, platform fees, and taxes – are essential to complete the purchase but aren’t shown upfront.
Example: A product listed at Rs 4,000 might suddenly cost Rs 4,200 at checkout due to mandatory additional charges that weren’t visible initially.
Government’s Warning Against Dark Patterns
Through its @jagograhakjago Twitter account, the consumer affairs ministry alerted shoppers: “The deal looks great at first, but hidden charges at the end hike up the price — that’s Drip Pricing, a Dark Pattern!”
The warning comes during peak festive shopping season when millions of Indians shop on platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, making them vulnerable to such deceptive practices.
How to Protect Yourself
If you encounter Drip Pricing while shopping online:
- Call the National Consumer Helpline at 1915 immediately
- Document the original price and final amount with screenshots
- Report the platform and product details
By reporting such practices, consumers help regulatory authorities create a fair and transparent online shopping environment for everyone.
