When we buy commodities we find that the price charged is sometimes higher or lower than the Maximum Retail Price printed on the pack. Discuss the possible reasons. Should consumer groups do something about this?

There is a difference between the maximum retail price and actual price of the goods. The maximum retail price is inclusive of all taxes and a retailer can sell at a price below the MRP. In fact consumers should always look for retailers who sell below the MRP because the MRP is the maximum retail price allowed for that commodity and not the actual price and a retailer can well reduce his margin built into the MRP.

The possible reason for higher price may be overcharging by the retailer for an ignorant customer. Sometimes it also happens that the manufacturer increases the price of a products and sells old stocks/products on new price rates and if buyers ask the reason they simply answer that the Price has increased because of the changes in duties or increase in the cost of production and the new packages carry the revised MRP. Obviously, this new price does not apply to the stock already with the retailer. And this is where retailers try to make a quick buck by trying to sell the old stock at the new revised rate, even though doing so is an unfair trade practice.