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Consumer Rights

Online Shopping Refund Not Received? How to Complain and Get Your Money Back

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Legal information notice: this article provides general information and isn't a substitute for advice from a qualified lawyer.

You returned the item, or your order was cancelled, and the refund still hasn’t reached you. This is different from receiving a fake product or never receiving the order: here, the transaction was legitimate and the money you’re entitled to is simply missing. That makes the route mostly procedural, and knowing the timeline and the escalation ladder gets results.

Why Refunds Get Delayed

  • The return isn’t yet marked “received” at the warehouse or by the seller
  • Bank or card processing time — the platform has refunded, but your bank hasn’t posted it
  • Refund sent to a different destination than you expected, such as store credit, wallet, or the original method
  • A rejected return where the seller disputes the item’s condition
  • A genuine failure to pay out that needs escalation

Check First Before Escalating

Look at the order page for the refund status, the refund reference number, and the destination. Then check with your bank for a pending credit. Many “missing” refunds are simply in transit; a reference number lets your bank trace them.

The Escalation Ladder

01
Confirm Status and Reference Number
On the order page and with your bank
02
Raise the Issue With Customer Support
In writing, through the app
03
Write to the Grievance Officer
48-hour acknowledgement, one-month resolution
04
Register on NCH 1915
consumerhelpline.gov.in
05
File on e-Jagriti
Within two years
Step 1: Confirm the Refund Status and Reference

Note the promised refund date, amount, destination, and reference number. Ask your bank whether a credit is pending under that reference.

Step 2: Complain in Writing Through Customer Support

Use the app’s help section so there’s a written record. Quote the order ID, return date, and promised timeline.

Step 3: Escalate to the Grievance Officer

Under the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, the grievance officer must acknowledge within 48 hours and resolve within one month. Email them with your order details and a clear demand.

Step 4: Register on the National Consumer Helpline

Call 1915 or register at consumerhelpline.gov.in. It forwards complaints to the company and often resolves refund disputes without a formal case.

Step 5: File on e-Jagriti if Needed

File within two years at e-Jagriti, choosing e-commerce as the sector. You can file yourself, without a lawyer.

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Keep screenshots of the return confirmation, the pickup or drop-off proof, the refund promise, and your support chats. In a dispute over whether the item was returned, that proof decides the outcome.

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Refund Problem vs Scam

Which One Is This

SituationWhat to Do
Genuine order, return done, refund missingThis guide: support, grievance officer, NCH, e-Jagriti
Someone called offering a 'refund' and asked for OTP or PINThat's fraud — see our fake customer care guides
Item was fake or wrongSee our guides on counterfeit and wrong products

Does It Cost Anything?

Support, the grievance officer, and the National Consumer Helpline are free. A consumer commission filing carries a modest fee based on the claim value.

Can You Do This Without a Lawyer?

Yes. Consumers routinely file on e-Jagriti themselves.

What Can You Get?

  • The refund itself, with the platform or seller ordered to pay
  • Compensation for delay and harassment in a formal case
  • A written response on record from the platform’s grievance officer
  • Resolution through NCH mediation, often within weeks

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See also Amazon or Flipkart refund not received, how to file a consumer complaint online, and our complete online shopping fraud guide.

Key Takeaways

  • Check the refund reference and destination first — many missing refunds are pending at the bank or sent elsewhere.
  • The grievance officer must acknowledge in 48 hours and resolve within one month under the E-Commerce Rules.
  • NCH 1915 often resolves refund disputes without a formal case.
  • Anyone calling to “help” with a refund and asking for an OTP or PIN is a scammer, not support.

Frequently Asked Questions

It varies by payment method and platform; check the promised timeline and refund reference on the order page, then follow up with your bank.

Check the platform’s terms and the order page; if you didn’t agree to credit instead of the original method, raise it with the grievance officer.

A government mediation service at 1915 (also consumerhelpline.gov.in) that forwards complaints to companies and seeks a resolution.

Generally two years from the cause of action for a consumer commission complaint.

No, you can file and represent yourself.

No. Genuine refunds never need your OTP, PIN, or remote access; only use the official app.

Ask for the reason in writing and challenge it with your return proof through the grievance officer and NCH.

Vidyoday
Vidyoday Editorial Team
Consumer Rights
Reviewed and published by Vidyoday.
Disclaimer:

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Platform policies and fees change — check the platform’s terms and the e-Jagriti portal.

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