Dhanteras Electronics Shopping: 7 Bill Checks to Do

Dhanteras falls on Friday, 6 November, and for many families that means Dhanteras electronics shopping: a TV, AC, fridge or phone. Before you pay, spend two minutes on the bill: since 22 September 2025, ACs and TVs above 32 inches carry 18% GST, not 28%, and the invoice is what decides your warranty, your refund and your bank cashback.

Most of these checks take seconds at the counter. One of them, about bank offers, catches people weeks later. That’s check 5.

⚡ Key takeaways

GST on ACs, TVs above 32 inches, monitors, projectors and dishwashers dropped from 28% to 18% on 22 September 2025. Your bill should show 18% for these.
The serial number on the invoice must match the box. Without it, warranty claims get messy.
Warranty usually starts from the invoice date, so keep a clear copy (photo plus PDF).
Bank “cashback” often arrives weeks later and has conditions. Know which kind you’re getting before you pay.
Problem with a seller? National Consumer Helpline: 1915, or WhatsApp 88000 01915.

Table of Contents

Why the Dhanteras Electronics Bill Matters More Than the Deal

On Dhanteras, shops are packed, salespeople are rushed and the bill gets printed in a hurry. That’s when small mistakes slip in: an old GST rate, a missing serial number or a wrong model code.

None of these show up on the day. They show up six months later, when the AC compressor fails and the service centre asks for an invoice with the serial number. Or when you try to return a TV and the seller says the bill doesn’t match.

Treat the bill as part of the product, especially for Dhanteras electronics bought in a rush. A good price with a bad invoice is a bad deal.

dhanteras electronics: people shopping in a busy electronics market — Festive rush is when billing errors slip in. · Photo: Jimmy Liao / Pexels

Check 1: The GST Rate on Big Appliances

This is the money check. The GST Council cut the tax on several big-ticket items from 28% to 18%, effective 22 September 2025. According to All India Radio’s report on the GST Council decision, that covers:

Item	GST before 22 Sep 2025	GST now
Air conditioners	28%	18%
TVs above 32 inches (LED, LCD)	28%	18%
Monitors	28%	18%
Projectors	28%	18%
Dishwashers	28%	18%

The Week noted that the new rate depends on the invoice date, not the booking date, and that big chains adjusted GST at checkout automatically while smaller stores could take longer. A year on, most shops will have updated. Still, look at the tax line.

What the difference looks like

Here’s my own maths on a ₹40,000 AC bill. At 18%, the price before tax is about ₹33,900, with roughly ₹6,100 as GST. If someone wrongly charged 28% on that same base price, the tax alone would be about ₹9,490, and you’d pay around ₹3,390 more.

💡 Pro tip

On a GST invoice, look for the seller’s GSTIN, the HSN code and a separate CGST + SGST (or IGST) line. Add the two percentages. For an AC or a 43-inch TV, they should total 18%.

Also readFake Discount or Real Deal? Check Any Sale Price in 2 Minutes

Check 2: Serial Number and Model on the Invoice

Ask for the serial number (or IMEI, for a phone) to be printed on the bill. Then compare it with the sticker on the box before you leave the shop or sign the delivery slip.

Also check the exact model code. “1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter AC” isn’t enough; brands sell several similar models with different compressors and warranties. Bill says one model, box says another? Sort it out at the counter.

For phones, dial *#06# to see the IMEI and match it to the box and bill. It takes ten seconds.

Check 3: Warranty Start Date and Registration

Warranty normally runs from the invoice date. That’s why a blurry, faded thermal bill is a problem; many of them fade within a year.

Take a clear photo of the bill the same day.
Ask for a PDF or e-invoice on email or WhatsApp.
Register the product on the brand’s website or app if the warranty card asks you to; the card lists any conditions.
Keep the warranty card and installation report together with the bill.

Thinking about extended warranty at the counter? Read our honest take on whether extended warranty is worth it before you add it.

dhanteras electronics: customer paying at a shop counter — Match the bill to the box before you leave. · Photo: Gustavo Fring / Pexels

Check 4: Installation, Delivery and “Extra” Charges

ACs are where bills grow. The advertised price often covers basic installation only. Copper pipe beyond a fixed length, stands, drain pipes and core cutting are commonly charged separately.

Check 5: Bank Offers, Cashback and No-Cost EMI

This is the one that catches people weeks later.

⚠️ Watch out

“Instant discount” comes off the bill at payment. “Cashback” is credited later, sometimes after weeks, and only if every condition is met: the right card, a minimum amount, no cancellation and sometimes one offer per card. Read the terms on the offer page before paying, and screenshot them.

Bank offers on Amazon and Flipkart change by sale phase and card, so check the live offer page on the day rather than trusting a forward. If the deal uses no-cost EMI, our guide on the hidden cost of no-cost EMI shows where the money goes.

Paying by UPI for something expensive? Make sure your bank’s daily limit allows it, and keep the UPI reference number. If a big payment gets stuck, our guide on UPI payment failed but money debited explains the refund rules.

Also readNo Cost EMI Isn’t Free: The ₹460 Catch on a ₹30,000 Phone

Check 6 and 7: Exchange Value and Return Policy

Check 6: Exchange value in writing

Exchanging an old TV, fridge or phone? Get the exchange value written on the bill. Sellers sometimes quote one figure in the shop and reduce it at pickup because of a scratch or missing remote.

Check 7: The return or replacement window

Ask what happens if the product arrives damaged or dead. Online, check the return window on the product page before ordering; many large appliances are “replacement only” after an inspection visit. In a shop, ask for the policy on the bill.

💡 Pro tip

Unbox big appliances in front of the delivery person if you can, and record a short video while opening. It settles most “damaged in transit” disputes quickly.

What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

Start with the seller and the brand’s customer care, and keep every message. If that fails, the government’s National Consumer Helpline takes complaints on 1915 (8 am to 8 pm), on WhatsApp at +91 88000 01915, through the NCH app and through the UMANG app.

Shopping online in the festive rush? Check the seller name on the product page, and read our list of Diwali sale scams and fake offers before clicking any “Dhanteras special” link on WhatsApp.

✅ Our verdict

The best Dhanteras electronics deal is the one with a clean bill: 18% GST where it applies, the serial number printed, the warranty date clear and the bank offer terms saved. Spend two minutes at the counter. It can save you thousands later.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GST on AC and TV in 2026?

Air conditioners and TVs above 32 inches carry 18% GST since 22 September 2025, down from 28%. Monitors, projectors and dishwashers moved to 18% at the same time.

Is it good to buy electronics on Dhanteras?

Many families buy appliances on Dhanteras by tradition, and festive sales often run around it. The day itself doesn’t make a product cheaper, so compare prices and check the bill as you would on any other day.

Does warranty start from the invoice date?

For most brands, yes. Keep a clear copy of the invoice, because a faded thermal print can make claims difficult.

How long does bank cashback take?

It depends on the offer. Instant discounts apply at payment, but cashback can take weeks and depends on conditions in the terms. Screenshot the offer terms before you pay.

Where can I complain about a seller?

Call the National Consumer Helpline on 1915 or message +91 88000 01915 on WhatsApp. You can also file on the NCH app or UMANG.

The Bottom Line

Dhanteras electronics shopping goes well when the bill is right. Check the GST rate, serial number, warranty date, installation charges, bank offer type, exchange value and return policy. Then enjoy the new TV. If gold is also on your list, read our digital gold vs gold coins guide first.

Keep reading

Sources

Dhanteras Electronics Shopping: 7 Bill Checks Before You Pay