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Multiplexes fleeacing cinegoers
Multiplexes and air conditioned cinema halls in the city are fleecing the cinegoers by overcharging on packaged food items, including water bottles. Especially, multiplexes are charging exorbitant rates (above 200 per cent on MRP) which are giving a bitter experience to customers.
Vijayawada: Multiplexes and air conditioned cinema halls in the city are fleecing the cinegoers by overcharging on packaged food items, including water bottles. Especially, multiplexes are charging exorbitant rates (above 200 per cent on MRP) which are giving a bitter experience to customers.
Highlights:
- Charging exorbitant rates on mineral water, cold drinks and snacks
- The department of weights and measures is ignoring the issue intentionally even as the theatres give bills charging overpricing for food items
- They say that they have not received any complaints from customers
Some multiplexes in the city are collecting Rs 50 for a Kinley water bottle (1 litre) against the normal price of Rs 20. They collect Rs 70 to Rs 80 per popcorn cone and around Rs 80 for 200 ml cold drink. They are also collecting same exorbitant rates for other food items violating Packaged Commodity Rules (PCR).
The department of weights and measures is apparently ignoring the issue intentionally even as the theatres give bills charging overpricing for food items. They simply said that they have not received any complaints from the customers.
In fact, a two litre Kinley water bottle price in open market is Rs 36 only.
The moviegoers are forced to pay above MRP though they required to pay VAT, service tax and also service charge on the bill. However, making a statement some months ago, on the sale of packaged water and soft drinks above MRP, including at airports, multiplexes and hotels, the Union Minister for Consumers Affairs said that charging above MRP is clear violation of law. There is penalty and jail term for violators, he added.
There were instances that National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission imposed penalty on multiplexes for selling above MRP. The commission also warned that theatre owners could be held liable for unfair trade practices or deficiency of service if they did not have drinking water facilities and force consumers to buy expensive bottles from their cafeteria.
K Varaprasada Rao
