A recent YouTube video exposed a troubling experience on Flipkart, where a customer received not one, but two used and damaged MacBook Pros after ordering a new one. The seller is at the heart of this scam. “Treasure HAUL Online,” a name that should now be synonymous with caution for Flipkart shoppers.
Table of Contents
Flipkart’s “Assured” Scam: How a Seller Deceived Customers and What You Need to Know
The MacBook Pro Debacle:
The video creator’s cousin ordered a MacBook Pro from Flipkart, drawn in by a significantly lower price (₹3.62 lakh). Despite the lack of product reviews, “Treasure Hall Online” boasted a 5-year history with excellent ratings and the coveted “Flipkart Assured” badge, promising open box delivery.
The first delivery arrived in a damaged box with an open seal. Inside, instead of a brand-new MacBook Pro, they found a scratched and used machine. A replacement was ordered, but the same thing happened again – another used MacBook in a sealed Apple box.
Flipkart’s Response: A Series of Missteps
While Flipkart eventually initiated a return process, their initial response was concerning. They offered compensation (starting at ₹13,000 and eventually settling at ₹36,000) instead of a full refund, citing the product’s “non-returnable” status. This raises serious questions about the value of Flipkart’s “Protect Promise Fee” and how well they actually protect customers from fraudulent sellers.
“Treasure HAUL Online”: A History of Deception
The video creator’s investigation revealed a disturbing pattern. “Treasure HAUL Online” has a long history of complaints across various platforms – Google, Twitter, YouTube, Reddit, and consumer complaint websites. They’ve been accused of selling fake and used products, particularly MacBooks and AirPods, for at least two years. What’s even more alarming is that their seller rating mysteriously increased from two to five stars despite the overwhelming negative feedback.
The Bigger Picture: A Flipkart Problem?
This incident isn’t just about one bad seller. It highlights a potential systemic issue within Flipkart:
- Lack of Due Diligence: Why is Flipkart allowing a seller with so many complaints to continue operating on their platform with seemingly inflated ratings?
- Misleading “Flipkart Assured”: The “Flipkart Assured” badge is supposed to instill confidence, but in this case, it provided a false sense of security.
- Difficult Returns: The “non-returnable” category seems to be used as a shield, making it difficult for customers to get refunds even when they receive faulty or misrepresented products.
Is Treasure HAUL Online Still Active?
Unfortunately, as of recent searches of MacBook Pro, “Treasure HAUL Online” appears to still be selling products on Flipkart. This means that other users may still be at risk of encountering similar scams. Also, this seller, TREASURE HAUL ONLINE, is still selling MacBook Pros on Flipkart at a discount, with Flipkart showing and recommending it as the top discount of the sale and continuing this blatant scam with users who do not have much of an idea.
Also, as noted by Mr. Techpedia, the ratings are also deceiving. Even, take for example, the model shown as a MacBook Pro M3 with 8GB RAM and a 1TB SSD is completely fake; no MacBook Pro these days ships with 16GB RAM, and the worst part is Flipkart is offering 1-day FAST delivery as well, and in a very short time, it’s showing “No Returns Applicable” and the seller has an excellent 4.6 rating. The worst part I just explored is that all Flipkart listings of MacBook Pro are by this seller, and No Returns are being allowed.
What You Can Do:
- Be Extremely Cautious: If you’re buying electronics, especially high-value items like MacBooks, from Flipkart, be extra vigilant.
- Check Seller Reviews Extensively: Don’t rely solely on Flipkart’s seller ratings. Search for the seller’s name on other platforms to get a more complete picture.
- Demand Open Box Delivery: If available, always opt for open box delivery so you can inspect the product before accepting it.
- Document Everything: Take photos and videos of the packaging and the product upon arrival. This will be crucial if you need to file a complaint or return.
- Share Your Experiences: If you’ve had a negative experience with “Treasure HAUL Online” or any other Flipkart seller, share it online to warn others.
- Consider Alternative Platforms: While this video focuses on Flipkart, it’s a reminder to be cautious when shopping online in general. Explore other platforms and compare their seller vetting processes and customer service policies.
The video creator has contacted Flipkart, government ministries, and Apple about this scam. Hopefully, this increased awareness will lead to action and prevent future customers from falling victim to “Treasure HAUL Online” and similar fraudulent sellers.
We recommend everyone shop carefully from Flipkart and share this post with everyone to spread awarness and help people avoid falling into this scam!
