Evaly MD promises to refund all customers within two years

Rassel says a major change will happen within six months and it will take them two years to return everyone’s money

The Managing Director and CEO of the e-commerce site Evaly Mohammad Rassel is optimistic about refunding the customers all the money currently tied up within two years.

He said shopping has resumed on the platform and refunds from profits have already begun.

Rassel spoke to reporters after a review meeting on resolving complaints against e-commerce establishments and clearing stuck payments in payment gateways at the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection in Karwan Bazar in Dhaka on Sunday.

“Customers have already started shopping on Evaly. I hope that none of Evaly’s customers will face any loss. We have already returned Tk 5 million from our profits to those who had money due with us. It will just take a little more time to refund everyone else.

“We will become stronger than before and return everyone’s money. You will see a major change within six months. And it will take us two years to return everyone’s money.”

Earlier, the director general of the consumer rights agency, AHM Shafiquzzaman, advised customers to take caution while shopping on e-commerce platforms.

He said, “A student has ordered 100 bikes on an e-commerce platform. It's not sensible for a student to purchase 100 bikes. How can Pakistani dresses be sold for Tk 700? If everyone jumps at American diamond rings, then we cannot do much.”

Rassel said, “We had tried to limit one bike per ID for orders, but people used multiple IDs to place extra orders. This went unnoticed. We will be vigilant about this.”

Shafiquzzaman noted that out of Tk 5.35 billion stuck with e-commerce companies, Tk 4.07 billion has been refunded, with Tk 1.27 billion yet to be returned.

“The state minister of commerce wants this resolved. We don’t want to be in limbo either. That's why we had this meeting today.

“We will find a specific solution to this by the 30th of June. We believe in moving e-commerce forward. Therefore, we held today's meeting involving those who have spent 27 and 6 months in jail respectively.”

He added that an eight-strong committee, led by the director of the Complaint and Investigation Branch, Fakir Muhammad Munawar Hossain, has been asked to report back within 15 working days on strategies to refund the remaining Tk 1.27 billion.

“The report will be handed to the state minister of commerce, who will ultimately make the decision based on the actual situation,” said the DG Shafiquzzaman.

He also said that some cases of money laundering against e-commerce companies are ongoing, with charges filed in three cases.

“Some money is being returned through the directorate, and more will be given back. We are also looking into how to return some remaining amounts by Qcoom. We are working on these issues.”

Responding to a journalist’s question about what to do if there is no money in the gateway, Safiquzzaman said, “The commerce ministry cannot take responsibility for everything. We cannot return the money that has already been laundered.”