CERC makes a representation to DCGI asking for urgent intervention<\/p>\n
Consumer Education and Research Centre(CERC), Ahmedabad conducted an online survey of personal care products and cosmetics sold on e-portals Snapdeal and Nykaa. While Snapdeal is an e-commerce platform with over 3,00,000 sellers, Nykaa is a popular online store that claims to sell only authentic items. The findings of our survey, which compared 25 products, were startling and raise several questions about the genuineness of products sold on Snapdeal.
\nCERC has written to Dr. S. Eswara Reddy, Drug Controller General of India, asking him to
\nintervene urgently. CERC has also sent the findings to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India to take steps in consumer interest.
\nSurvey highlights:
\n\uf0b7 50% to 92% difference found in the prices of the same products on Nykaa and
\nSnapdeal
\n\uf0b7 Highly inflated MRP and unbelievable discounts on Snapdeal
\n\uf0b7 Expiry date not shown for cosmetic products.
\n\uf0b7 Negative customer reviews on branded cosmetics products on Snapdeal
\nSurvey details:
\n\uf0d8 Unbelievable discounts: The same product sold on the two portals is 50-92% cheaper on
\nSnapdeal. Unbelievable discounts are offered by Snapdeal. For instance, the price of one
\nunit of Indulekha Bhringa Oil on Nykaa is Rs. 432 whereas on Snapdeal it is Rs. 279 for
\n2 units (after 68% discount), which is 67.71% less than the price on Nykaa. How can any
\nseller afford to consistently sell genuine products at such highly discounted prices?
\n\uf0d8 Product prices higher than MRP: Products are sold on Snapdeal at MRPs higher than
\nthose on the brand's official website. In the case of The Body Shop Moringa Shower Gel, the selling price on Snapdeal was Rs. 469 after a discount of 57% on an MRP of
\nRs.1,095. However, the same product was sold at a much lower rate of Rs. 325 (MRP) on
\nthe official The Body Shop website as well as on Nykaa.This is a clear case of cheating
\nand misleading consumers by showing higher MRP with high discount.
\n\uf0d8 No expiry dates: Expiry date is not shown for many products on Snapdeal. These
\ninclude Lakme 9 to 5 Primer+matte Lipstick, TheBody Shop Moringa Shower Gel,
\nL\u2019Oreal Paris Magique Kajal. Expiry date is an important piece of label information. Use
\nof expired cosmetics or personal care products can cause serious skin and health issues.
\nOn Nykaa, expiry dates are mentioned on all the products surveyed. As per the Legal
\nMetrology GSR 629 (E) of 23 June 2017, the packaging should contain \u201cuse by date\u201d after which the product may not have the quality attributes normally expected by
\nconsumers and should not be regarded as marketable.
\n\uf0d8 Negative customer reviews ignored: Many users have posted negative reviews
\nquestioning the quality and genuineness of personal care products purchased from
\nSnapdeal. This indicates that consumers have received substandard or fake products from
\nSnapdeal.
\n\uf0d8 Contradictory description: Mismatch exists in the product visual and description which
\nindicates a clear lapse from the e-portal\u2019s side. For example, the product shown is Lakme
\nEyeconic Kajal but the description is that of Maybelline
\nDetails of the survey are attached as (Annexure 1-4)
\nMore evidence
\nA survey conducted by LocalCircles has found that one out of five products sold online are fake or counterfeit,with cosmetics and fragrances the most affected category. The survey also revealed that Snapdeal is the e-commerce site shipping the highest percentage (37%) of counterfeit\/fake products.
\nCounterfeiting is a matter of great concern. Fake personal care products and cosmetics can cause serious health hazards as they may contain toxic ingredients. Moreover, selling of fakes amounts to cheating consumers and causing them a financial loss.
\nAppeal to DCGI
\n1. To urgently intervene and ensure that Snapdeal withdraws all products with incomplete
\nlabelling and inflated prices \u2013 much higher than MRP\u2013from their website.
\n2. Snapdeal should be made to recall the products sold to consumers and compensate them
\nfor purchase of potentially harmful products.
\n3. Snapdeal should be made to have a transparent policy for selection of vendors and
\nproducts, and take strict action against vendors violating the policy.
\nLast October, e-commerce giants \u2013 Amazon and Flipkart \u2013 were issued notices by DCGI for
\nallegedly selling "spurious and adulterated" cosmetics including imported brands, and were warned of penal action. Action against Snapdeal, along with the steps taken against Amazon and Flipkart, will send a strong message to e-commerce portals that they have to curb the sale of fake products on their websites.<\/p>\n
CERC online Survey<\/p>\n
Differences of same products sold on Snapdeal Vs Nykaa*<\/p>\n
Researched on 10 th January 2019.
\nSr.
\nNo.
\nProduct Snapdeal Nykaa Remarks
\n1. Lakme Eyeconic Kajal
\n(0.35gm)<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 185 for pack of 3
\nunits
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount \u2013 77%<\/p>\n
Price- Rs. 162 for 1 unit
\nExpiry Date \u2013 15 th May 2019
\nDiscount \u2013 10%<\/p>\n
Comparison
\nSnapdeal for 3 units \u2013 Rs 185
\nNykaa for 3 units \u2013 Rs 648
\nSnapdeal is selling at 71.45% lesser amount
\ncompared to Nykaa<\/p>\n
2. Mac Ruby Woo Lipstick Price \u2013 Rs. 259
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount – 90%<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 1500
\nExpiry Date – 15 November
\n2019<\/p>\n
Snapdeal is selling at 82.73% lesser amount
\ncompared to Nykaa<\/p>\n
3. Lakme 9 to 5 Primer +
\nMatte Lip Color<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 1745 for pack of 12
\nunits
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount \u2013 60%<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 375 for 1 unit
\nExpiry Date – 15 th February
\n2020
\nDiscount \u2013 25%<\/p>\n
Comparison
\nSnapdeal for 12 units \u2013 Rs 1745
\nNykaa for 12 units \u2013 Rs 4500
\nSnapdeal is selling at 61.22% lesser amount
\ncompared to Nykaa<\/p>\n
4. Indulekha Bringha Hair
\nOil<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 279 for 2 units
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount \u2013 68%<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 432 for 1 unit
\nExpiry date- 15 May 2019<\/p>\n
Comparison
\nSnapdeal for 2 units \u2013 Rs 279
\nNykaa for 2 units \u2013 Rs 864
\nSnapdeal is selling at 67.71% lesser amount
\ncompared to Nykaa<\/p>\n
5. Davidoff Cool Water
\nMen Daily use
\nDeodorant Spray<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 358
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount \u201364%<\/p>\n
Price- Rs. 3250
\nExpiry date- 15 October 2020
\nDiscount \u2013 29%<\/p>\n
Snapdeal is selling at 88.98% lesser amount
\ncompared to Nykaa<\/p>\n
6. Huda Beauty obsessions
\nPalette \u2013 Mauve
\nobsessions<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 450
\nExpiry date- Not given<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 2500
\nExpiry date- 15th October
\n2020<\/p>\n
Snapdeal is selling at 82% lesser amount
\ncompared to Nykaa<\/p>\n
*Illustrative<\/p>\n
Discount \u201385%<\/p>\n
7. The Body Shop Moringa
\nShower Gel<\/p>\n
Price- Rs. 469
\n(MRP-1095)
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount \u201357%<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 325
\nExpiry date- 15 th April 2021<\/p>\n
Whereas the MRP on the website of the
\nBody Shop is Rs. 325<\/p>\n
8. Maybelline Kajal Pencil
\nColossal 24H<\/p>\n
Price- Rs. 225 for 3 Units
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount \u201358%<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 153 for 1 unit
\nExpiry date- 1 st July 2019
\nDiscount \u2013 15%<\/p>\n
Comparison
\nSnapdeal for 3 units \u2013 Rs 225
\nNykaa for 3 units \u2013 Rs 459
\nSnapdeal is selling at 50.98% lesser amount
\ncompared to Nykaa<\/p>\n
9. L'Oreal Paris Kajal
\nMagique (Pack of 2)<\/p>\n
Price- Rs. 209
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount \u201365%<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 570
\nExpiry date- 15 th July 2019<\/p>\n
Snapdeal is selling at 63.33% lesser amount
\ncompared to Nykaa<\/p>\n
10. HUDA Beauty Matte
\nMinis Liquid Lipstick
\n(Brown Edition)<\/p>\n
Price- Rs. 429
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount \u20135%<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 2900
\nExpiry date- 15 th Jan 2020<\/p>\n
Snapdeal is selling at 85.2% lesser amount
\ncompared to Nykaa<\/p>\n
11. M.A.C Studio
\nWaterweight Foundation
\nSPF 30 (30 ml)<\/p>\n
Price- Rs. 259
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount \u201378%<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 3300
\nExpiry date- 13 th Feb 2021<\/p>\n
Snapdeal is selling at 92.15% lesser amount
\ncompared to Nykaa<\/p>\n
12. M.A.C Studio Fix Powder
\nPlus Foundation<\/p>\n
Price- Rs. 238
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount \u201383%<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 2700
\nExpiry date- 15 th Nov 2020<\/p>\n
Snapdeal is selling at 91.18% lesser amount
\ncompared to Nykaa<\/p>\n
13. M.A.C Prep+Prime BB
\nBeauty Balm<\/p>\n
Price- Rs. 244
\nExpiry date- Not g
\niven
\nDiscount \u201376%<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 2350
\nExpiry date- 15 th Sept 2020<\/p>\n
Snapdeal is selling at 89.62% lesser amount
\ncompared to Nykaa<\/p>\n
14. L.A Girl Pro Conceal Price- Rs. 315
\nExpiry date- Not given<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 595
\nExpiry date- 15 th July 2021<\/p>\n
Snapdeal is selling at 47.1% lesser amount
\ncompared to Nykaa<\/p>\n
*Illustrative<\/p>\n
Discount \u201337% Note: The MRP of the Product on Nykaa is
\nRs. 595 where as the MRP of the product on
\nSnapdeal is Rs. 499.<\/p>\n
15. Bobbi Brown Long Wear
\nEven Finish Foundation<\/p>\n
Price- Rs. 699
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount \u201365%<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 4350
\nExpiry date- 15 th Oct 2019<\/p>\n
Snapdeal is selling at 83.93% lesser amount
\ncompared to Nykaa
\nNote: The MRP of the Product on Nykaa is
\nRs. 4350 where as the MRP of the product on
\nSnapdeal is Rs. 2000.<\/p>\n
16. Shahnaz Husain Gold
\nFacial Kit<\/p>\n
Price- Rs. 217
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount \u201379%<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 1010
\nExpiry date- 15 th Aug 2020<\/p>\n
Snapdeal is selling at 78.51% lesser amount
\ncompared to Nykaa<\/p>\n
17. HUDA Beauty Contour
\nand Strobe Set<\/p>\n
Price- Rs. 438
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount \u201388%<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 2350
\nExpiry date- 15 th Oct 2020<\/p>\n
Snapdeal is selling at 81.36% lesser amount
\ncompared to Nykaa<\/p>\n
18. Clinique Moisturizer 50
\nml<\/p>\n
Price- Rs. 4735
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount \u201350%<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 2550
\nExpiry date- 15 th June 2020<\/p>\n
Snapdeal is showing the original price of the
\nProduct as Rs. 9470. The price of the product
\non Snapdeal even after 50% Discount is
\n41.71% higher than the original MRP of the
\nproduct mentioned on Nykaa (Rs. 2550).<\/p>\n
19. Neutrogena UltraSheer
\nDry Touch Sunblock SPF
\n50+<\/p>\n
Price- Rs. 318
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount \u201360%<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 467
\nExpiry date- 15 th Jan 2021
\nDiscount \u201315%<\/p>\n
Snapdeal is showing the original price of the
\nProduct as Rs. 799 and providing 60%
\ndiscount. However the MRP of the product
\nmentioned on Nykaa is Rs. 549<\/p>\n
20. Maybelline White
\nSuperfresh Compact<\/p>\n
Price- Rs. 599
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount \u201370%<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 160
\nExpiry date- 15 th Jul 2019<\/p>\n
Snapdeal is showing the original price of the
\nProduct as Rs. 2000. The price of the product
\neven after 70% Discount is 73% higher than
\nthe original MRP of the product mentioned<\/p>\n
*Illustrative<\/p>\n
on Nykaa (Rs. 160).<\/p>\n
21. Neutrogena Liquid
\nMakeup Remover<\/p>\n
Price- Rs. 2511
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount \u201350%<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 337
\nExpiry date- 15 th Aug 2019
\nDiscount \u201310%<\/p>\n
Snapdeal is showing the original price of the
\nProduct as Rs. 5022. The price of the product
\neven after 50% Discount is 86.57% higher
\nthan the Price on Nykaa after 10% discount,
\nthe original MRP of the product being Rs.
\n374.<\/p>\n
22. Maybelline Dream Matte
\nMousse Foundation<\/p>\n
Price- Rs. 599
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount \u201370%<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 725
\nExpiry date- 15 th Aug 2019<\/p>\n
Snapdeal is showing the original price of the
\nProduct as Rs. 2000 and providing 70%
\ndiscount. However the MRP of the product
\nmentioned on Nykaa is Rs. 725<\/p>\n
23. Maybelline Baby Lips
\nCandy Wow- Cherry<\/p>\n
Price- Rs. 390
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount \u201335%<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 260
\nExpiry date- 15 th May 2020<\/p>\n
Snapdeal is showing the original price of the
\nProduct as Rs.600. The price of the product
\neven after 35% Discount is 33.33% higher
\nthan the original MRP of the product
\nmentioned on Nykaa (Rs. 260).<\/p>\n
24. Miss Claire Soft Matte
\nLip Cream<\/p>\n
Price- Rs. 499
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount \u201329%<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 295
\nExpiry date- 15 th June 2021<\/p>\n
Snapdeal is showing the original price of the
\nProduct as Rs.699. The price of the product
\neven after 29% Discount is 40.88% higher
\nthan the original MRP of the product
\nmentioned on Nykaa (Rs. 295).<\/p>\n
25. HUGO BOSS Bottled
\nNight Eu De Toilette<\/p>\n
Price- Rs. 726
\nExpiry date- Not given
\nDiscount \u201382%<\/p>\n
Price \u2013 Rs. 4200
\nExpiry date- 15 th May 2021<\/p>\n
Snapdeal is selling at 81.71% lesser amount
\ncompared to Nykaa<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CERC makes a representation to DCGI asking for urgent intervention Consumer Education and Research Centre(CERC), Ahmedabad conducted an online survey of personal care products and cosmetics sold on e-portals Snapdeal and Nykaa. While Snapdeal is an e-commerce platform with over 3,00,000 sellers, Nykaa is a popular online store that claims to sell only authentic items. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[3,54],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paUKPQ-23K","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7920"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7920"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7920\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7922,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7920\/revisions\/7922"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7920"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7920"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7920"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}