Dbrand Controversy: Are they bullying customers for pointing out strange shipping policies?

Team Udayavani, Jun 24, 2021, 1:34 PM IST

Dbrand, a  smartphone accessory brand is known for its cool cases and skins for cell phones and tablets. They ship worldwide and have many fans and followers who swear by their products.

However, recently a customer name Saurav Shreshta pointed out that their policy for free shipping is at $25 which indicates that he would have to spend an additional $ 0.05 to qualify. But products in that price range do not exist on the site.

This kind of pricing strategy is theft.

If you don’t spend additional $0.05 then you end up paying $5 more. But there is nothing on the site for $0.05 obv. The least is like $10. Either way you’re overpaying.

Screw @dbrand. @MKBHD needs to switch sponsors. pic.twitter.com/pIYyEHWmg5

— Saurav Shrestha ? (@realsshrestha) June 23, 2021

To this Dbrand had an unusual reply, rather than resolving the issue, they raised the free shipping requirement to $50. Responding to a retweet of Shrestha’s tweet stating, “You’re right, Saurav. Free shipping at $25 is predatory capitalism. With that in mind, we’ve increased our free shipping threshold to $50. You’re welcome?”

You’re right, Saurav. Free shipping at $25 is predatory capitalism. With that in mind, we’ve increased our free shipping threshold to $50.

You’re welcome? https://t.co/r96Vrt9Vap

— dbrand (@dbrand) June 23, 2021

This has triggered two very distinct arguments. While some blame the customer for pointing it out which made Dbrand raise the shipping requirement, others lashed out at the company for its rude response.

Later Saurav in another tweet apologised to other Dbrand customers after the company raised the free shipping requirement. “Guys I’m really sorry they decided to punish you — their loyal customers — instead of me (I think I bought a skin 3 years ago). Do they have any competitors that we could promote here instead? As consumers, it is our RIGHT to be price sensitive. They don’t want you to be,” he tweeted.

One user wrote ” Hey man don’t take out Saurav’s stupid comments on us he is the one with the problem, why should we have to pay.” another wrote, “Not spending another penny on dbrand. They could have made it a positive PR but instead they disrespect their customers. Good job. Not.”

Here’s how people reacted:

He didn’t do anything. @dbrand did. They just found an easy way to make him a scapegoat for their greed.

— LaDeX (@LaDeXi) June 23, 2021

A brand can price their product as they see fit. A brand can also choose to not provide free shipping at all at any purchase threshold. Free shipping can be consider a perk even if it means they want you to buy more to get it.
A consumer can choose not to buy the product. Simple?

— Hahn (@Hahn87) June 23, 2021