Lately, with the development of technology, the younger generation has started moving towards running new businesses. Recently, the practice of doing business in a new style has also started.
Who would have thought that the technology of bringing bikes and taxis to their service with the click of a mobile phone would come to Nepal? Now, to pay electricity bills online, bank money can be easily transferred to another account.
In the same way, it is now possible to order something from clothes to electronic gadgets or whatever food you like at home. Until recently, the development of such latest technology was limited to imagination. In this context, the prevalence of online shopping has also increased in Nepal for some time now.
The use of technology has increased the number of consumers buying goods and services online. However, at the same time, consumer fraud is on the rise. In the last few days, the list of companies cheating consumers through online shopping (e-commerce) has started increasing. According to the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection, the number of fraudsters has increased by focusing on online businesses that have just made their mark in Nepal's supply market.
Although the concept of e-commerce has been in vogue in other countries of the world for a long time, it has been in vogue in Nepal for the last few years. It is gaining popularity all over the world as you can buy any goods and services you want from any corner of the country and pay online.
Lockdown flourishes business
As the use of e-commerce is increasing in Nepal as well, it seems that it is getting an opportunity to expand during the recent lockdown by the government to control Kovid-19. Keeping in mind the online shopping craze of consumers, many online shopping or e-commerce businesses have come into operation day by day. Therefore, with the increase in the number of e-commerce users, the number of business operators is also increasing. The department has informed that the number of people doing business without renting a shutter or room is increasing.
Online business operation without registration
Currently, Nepal's law does not require online businesses to register with any government body, due to which there is no reliable data on the number of e-commerce companies operating in Nepal. The department is of the view that the attraction of many has increased as it is easy to run a business from home without any government process. However, the department says that the number of consumers is increasing day by day due to lack of registration process.
"Many are now running their business through e-commerce and consumers are buying goods believing in them," said Netra Prasad Subedi, director general of the department. Subedi said that complaints like selling goods, sending money through pocket and e-service before delivery of goods but not delivering goods after that have started coming to the department.
Apart from this, there is a system of returning or exchanging goods before selling, but even after selling, there is a complaint that it will not be so, says Subedi. He also said that the department has been monitoring and taking action against many such e-commerce traders from July to January.
Action against 19 companies in seven months
The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection, which works for the rights and interests of consumers, has said that it has taken action against 19 e-commerce companies in the last seven months. According to Subedi, the department has taken action against the company from July to January based on consumer complaints.
According to Subedi, the department has fined the company based on the complaint. The department has informed that the amount of fine has been determined based on the nature of consumer fraud. Before the department took action, many companies were cheating consumers in the name of online business, but after monitoring and action began, the department said that there was a decrease in it. According to the department, out of the 24 companies monitored during the period, 19 were fined.
Who paid the fine?
Considering the trend of consumer fraud, the department has paid a minimum fine of NRs 5,000 to NRs 100,000 to e-commerce companies. Vevshala Nepal and Sam Prolife Nutrition Nepal, which sells protein and diet ingredients, have paid the highest fine of NRs 1 lakh each.
Similarly, I&S Meat Shop, Nutricare Organics, Green Bazaar, Creative Online Shopping, S2S Online, Gapu Market Place, Offering Happiness and Socheko.com have been fined NRs 50,000 each.
Similarly, Veter Way Nepal and Siddhartha Enterprises have been fined Rs 20,000 each, PR Shop, Saraswati Fancy Store, Make in Nepal Group, Smart Gallery and Khopi Traders NRs 15,000 each.
The department also fined Kankai Herba Home NRs 10,000 and Supreme Store NRs 5,000.
