Even before the uproar against the so-called anomalies and malpractices by certain e-commerce platform could die down, there have been reports of rising number of complaints against Facebook shops in Bangladesh now.
As per media reports, between July 2017 and August 2021, complaints have been filed to the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) against 4,982 Facebook pages — there have been allegations of controversial business practices, which include unprecedented discounts, delays in deliveries and shipment of wrong products — of which around 694 complaints were yet to be settled even as according to the e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh or e-Cab, there are around 2.5 lakh Facebook-based sites, also known as F-commerce, in Bangladesh.
Reports further add that in the last two years, Facebook-based business has expanded in Bangladesh significantly, which got a further boost due to the COVID-19 pandemic as people depended on Facebook-based business and other online entities for their requirements.
Meanwhile, speaking to the media, owner of Anjans (a fashion house) and also the President of the Fashion Entrepreneurs Association of Bangladesh, Shaheen Ahmed advised shoppers to purchase products from Facebook-based shops on a cash-on-delivery basis while also underlining the Government agencies should make it mandatory for Facebook-based businesses to obtain a licence before running an online store.
“…this will allow customers to save them from any hassles,” reportedly, maintained Shaheen Ahmed while adding that when someone does not have a trade licence or is not registered, filing a complaint against such an entity is hardly of much use.