On Saturday (18-Oct), my Husband got a phone call from “Bajaj Electricals” which is a well known company in India. He was asked three questions (which He answered correctly). He was invited with spouse to claim a gift from some “Bajaj Highland office” in the evening at 6:30. It sounded like he was getting to select from a variety of goods up to a value of Rs 4, 500/-. He was busy although we went there on 18-Oct at 7:00PM. What we found was a royal scam.
We were supposed to come at... We entered to find a variety of couples engaged in different degrees of conversation with salesmen of varying degrees of aptitude.
It all began with a smooth talking salesman writing a lot on bits of paper creating flowcharts and lists and sweeping them away to create more on new pieces of paper. We were explained how Bajaj has plenty of ventures like Electricals, motors and god knows what else, and now there is a new one - Highland Holiday Home. This of course was total bull shit, as none of their papers had anything to do with Bajaj beyond its being the surname of one of its founders.
I think it’s an obvious scam when the name Bajaj Electricals was directly used by them to generate a sense of credibility. Then came too good to be true offers on holidays (which may or not be real, but certainly smelled like a rat). We were offered 7 days a year for 10 years for an “initial investment” of Rs 65, 000/- Needless to say neither of us was about to part from our cash. Which eventually got negotiated to a “mere” Rs.35, 000.00 for 7 days for 5 years.
I was bit convinced & encouraged my husband to become a member. He was not sensing good about this company because the ambience where they called for seminar was very substandard he thought it might be temporary place & so... Even the quality of brochures was not very good. Actually he was very reluctant to pay the amount as he did not had any clue about reliability of this company. I trusted ’Bajaj’ name & then decided to become the member.
I also got attracted by the grade if I pay by Credit Card & finally become Gold member they told that I can convert the amount into EMI from bank & they will bear the Interest portion. Now this could be enough for any one to become the victim of their TRAP. Next day (19-Oct) My Husband has seen on online statement the 1, 500 processing fee charged for EMI Transitions.
Around 10:00PM they had made successful transition from my husband’s credit card and came with slips and Term & conditions booklets, looks very ordinary booklet from cover. My Husband asked should I read this booklet, they replied, we are getting late whatever promised to you are mentioned clearly in the booklet, please sign it and go Home and then Read.
At the night when my Husband Go through the Term & Condition booklet, lots of things were confusing and not matching whatever they promised, Here I mentioned few points which were not matching with their promises’.
1. They told you can rent your 60% holiday any time you want for which you will get Rs.1000.00/day.
But in booklet it is simply written you can rent holiday nothing else.
2. They told if you give us Phone Numbers to any of your friends and if your friend became member you will get 10% of there spent.
But nothing was mentioned about it.
3. They told, our member are privileged and having any time check-in and check-out facility, but in booklet it is mentioned Hotels having their own check-in and check-out time and customer are required to follow that.
4. They mentioned without utility charge you will get premium services and full furnished room.
But in booklet it is mentioned that you will not get TV, A.C, and Kitchen etc. without utility charge.
5. As they discussed and explained that they are part of Bajaj Electricals but in booklet noting was mentioned even about Bajaj.
6. Lots restrictions are mentioned in booklet what are not discussed.
Above mentioned all things lead us doubts and not to trust on company and there promises. We discussed these things to our friends and relatives about my doubts but it was shocking to now about reality. Next day on 19-Oct (Sunday) at 5:30 we went there office asked to cancel membership whatever made yesterday night. Lots of Arguments made with employee (represented as Manager "Saogun Doss" on both the day), we returned hopelessly as they told on Sunday only sale's office is open, come tomorrow and discuss with our management.
We again went on Monday morning at 10:30AM to face management but situation was almost same as previous day, they decline to reversal of money to my credit card account. After lots of argument they asked us to write application for the cancellation the membership and told us they will reply in seven days through mails at home address.
We having still some concerns about the Company mentioning here as points:
1.) Bajaj Electricals, the name used to draw unsuspecting people to the event - was in no way related to it, nor were any gift vouchers from Bajaj electrical distributed.
2.) Why would any reputable company have an investment opportunity open for an evening where a decision is to be made without looking at any offer document, without any verification, office address, official representatives, or even simple visiting cards? The way I see it, if they can’t afford a basic official set up, my investment is unlikely to be safe with them.
3.) Strangely, even their “managers” who came in to dramatic effect with approvals of surveys, and special offers, etc. didn’t even bother to provide surnames. I have yet to see any professional investment related thing being presented or negotiated without any written documentation or proposal of the exact offering and terms for consideration before investing in it. No official venue, no visiting cards, nothing.
4.) In short, they were simply trying to his susceptible people and get money out of them as fast as possible.
From:
Neha Kumari.
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