Shameless cheater of India 2009 - Award Nominations

Who says Indian eCommerce is yet to kickoff? I say it's already kicking asses, however on receiving end is the Indian consumer! To help Indian consumer come of reluctant mode and start spending freely, shopping sites of India are offering huge discounts, gifts, offers and cash-backs. Up to 50% cash-back across range of products. But... all the cash backs are virtual. The schemes are tailored in a way that either you get zero discount or you end up spending almost six times of the cash back value.

I am a regular at IndiaPlaza.in. I like the site for price research. The items sold on their sites are all grey-market ones but the prices are in sync with street prices of 100% genuine products with bill-warranty. While looking for a washing machine on the site, I came across a banner that shouted '20% cash-back on all items except air-tickets.' I have always been highly wary of IndiaPlaza's offers but this banner amused me and I clicked it to read terms and conditions. There were a hell lot of conditions but the most primary one is "The cash-back will be given in form of gift-certificates. The Cash back gift certicates will be in the following denominations: Rs.100/-, Rs.200/-, Rs.300/-, Rs. 500/-. Example: The 400/- GC may come to you as two Rs.200/- GCs or One Rs.200/- GC and 2 Rs.100/- GCs."

Sounds good so far? But here is the catch. I I buy a washing machine worth 20,000 rupees and get a cash-back worth 4,000 rupees, they will send me a whole bunch of gift certificates ranging in 100-500 rupees (I am sure Rs.100 gift certificates will dominate). Now, as a policy, you cannot use two gift certificates to buy one item on IndiaPlaza (it's not written in the terms and conditions but I know this). It means you are left with numerous gift certificates of 100-200 rupees which you either cannot use at all or if you use, you will end up paying much more. What a creative sales-strategy!

But wait, yesterday I happened to visit IndiaTimes and to my horror, it too have the similar offer going on. Two changes, though: 1. You get 50% cash back!!! and 2. In terms and conditions it's mentioned that gift certificates are nonmergable and must be redeemed before 31st March.

So, we have two nominations for 'Shameless Cheater of India 2009' award. And both are too close.