The Flipkart Scam: did the Company Intentionally Cancel Orders?

Serious questions about Flipkart's operations have been raised by the recent claims against the company regarding order cancellations made despite discounts and promotions. Because consumers have begun getting ready for the upcoming holidays, it is reasonable that all of the big online shopping applications have already kicked off their sales. Flipkart, one of the largest online retailers in India, followed suit and launched its eagerly awaited Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale 2024. However, after a few days, the app was removed from the deck because of some questionable "controversy."

What are the Reasons for order cancellations on Flipkart?

Flipkart order cancellations can occur for several reasons. Order cancellations may have resulted from stock limitations caused by unexpected demand that made some products unavailable. Incorrect pricing or promotional offers may also result in cancellations because the platform may need to stop losing revenue. Order cancellations may also result from dishonest conduct, such as when clients place several orders to cancel and receive reimbursements. Finally, technical problems or system errors may interfere with the order process and result in unintentional cancellations.

Was the Flipkart sale a scam?

Enraged online users posted screenshots of their orders being cancelled without their knowledge on social media. They demanded explanations for the abrupt cancellation, and they quickly branded the app and the sale as a "scam" online. For those who don't know, the Flipkart Big Billion Days sale for 2024 allegedly began on 27 September. However, its Plus members were granted early access on 26 September.

Recent accusations against Flipkart have generated bad press, seriously harming the company's standing and possibly eroding consumer confidence. The customers it serves may suffer long-term consequences due to this lack of trust. The business can also come under regulatory attention if consumer protection agencies or other regulatory organisations decide to look into the situation. A severe additional consequence of order cancellations is financial loss since they raise operating expenses and result in revenue loss. Moreover, impacted clients may file a lawsuit for damages or reimbursements, increasing the business's legal obligations.

However, as more and more consumers reported experiencing similar "order cancelled" issues, the hashtag "Flipkart Scam" quickly gained popularity. People rarely left anything untouched, from criticising the app to "calling it out" for "fooling" its users. Some even went so far as to post memes about the circumstance.