1. In the month of July ’09, I received a call from INDIA TODAY employee giving me details about an offer.
2. As per the offer, INDIA TODAY BOOK CLUB was offering select members a 2 nights / 3 days free holiday along with free return airfare to select destinations across the country.
3. The above offer is against purchasing a set of 12 books @ price of just Rs. 1999 Rs.599 (Delivery Charges) = Rs.2598 only.
4. I confirmed with the agent for any hidden charges, and he said I shall have to pay only Rs. 800/- towards processing the holiday voucher once I receive the form.
5. Nevertheless I asked him to send me the offer with terms and conditions via email, a copy of which is enclosed (Annexure 1).
6. Upon going though the offer (meanwhile the agent was repeatedly calling me to make the payment as the offer was expiring), I made the payment thru online payment mode via credit card for amount Rs.2, 598/- on 22nd July. I was given a booking reference number 440003165.
7. Since the offer appeared very lucrative and also the agent was after me to give me more references, I gave him 10 other references of my close family and friends and all of them made payment and subscribed to the offer. As of now, I am not enclosing their details; however this complaint may be treated as common to all.
8. Until now, things had gone pretty much smooth. I received the set of 12 books within a week’s time (approx. 1st week of August ’09). A copy of the invoice cum delivery note (Annexure 2) is enclosed. A unique number (highlighted) is provided which has to be quoted by visiting the website www.bookstoday.in/promos.htm in order to claim the free holiday and return air fare.
9. I logged on to the website and downloaded the procedure for claiming the free holiday and return airfare vouchers. The procedure is enclosed (Annexure 3) giving details of my voucher nos. I am also quoting both here again. Holiday Voucher No.: ITBC4411 and return air fare voucher no. : IT16463.
10. As per the above procedure, I downloaded the relevant forms and sent the same by post to: Premier Sales Promotions Pvt. Ltd. P.O. Box No.: 5042, Bangalore – 560001. The same was sent by post on 28th August ’09, copies of the two forms are enclosed (Annexure 4 & 5).
11. As per the procedure, I was to receive the holiday and return air fare voucher within 10 working days of receipt of above forms. And this is where my problem starts.
12. Despite commitment of sending the vouchers within 10 working days, I never got the same even after 20 days. I then got in touch with customer care no. 080 4055 4850 of M/s Premier Sales Promotions Pvt. Ltd. They informed me that they shall be sending me the voucher soon. They could not send it within the stipulated 10 days time as there was some problem with their server!
13. However, I still did not receive any voucher. It was only after multiple calls from my end did I finally receive ONLY the return air fare voucher on 3rd Oct ’09, over a month after I sent the duly filled up form!!
14. Now this is not the only service deficiency. To my utter shock and horror, I am informed that I have to now send a DD of Rs. 7000/- towards airport taxes, etc. along with the select destinations!!! I am enclosing a copy of the voucher (Annexure 6).
15. As is evident from all proofs provided so far, this was never communicated to me during any of my conversations / correspondence with INDIA TODAY BOOK CLUB.
16. It is clear that I have been taken for a ride as the so called “FREE” return air ticket is not actually FREE!! Had I known this, I would never have opted for this offer and spent Rs.2, 600/- of my hard earned money on books. The only incentive for accepting this offer was the “FREE” holiday and return air fare.
17. Also if you see the voucher, its says that last date of submission of the form and DD is 15th June!! How can one receive a form on 3rd Oct ’09 and send it before 15th June ’09???!!
18. My experience does not end here. As I still did not receive the separate holiday voucher, I once again had to make a number of calls to M/S Premier Sales Promotions Pvt. Ltd. It was only then that I finally receive the holiday voucher on 15th Oct ’09! One would have assumed that both the free air ticket voucher and holiday voucher would arrive together, but that never happened.
19. Again I am enclosing the holiday voucher (Annexure 7). As can be seen from the same, again to my shock & horror, I am informed that I now have to send a DD of Rs. 899/- instead of the Rs.800/- that I was informed!!!
20. Clearly, this is a case of misinformation and fraud. As a long time subscriber of INDIA TODAY, I opted for the offer. But I never imagined that I would have to go through such an ordeal.
21. My repeat attempts to reach the INDIA TODAY top management as well as customer care have not yielded any results. I am also enclosing the emails which I have sent to them, expecting a resolution to my problem.
22. However, I have still not received any favourable response. Even my 10 other relatives who had opted for this scheme are feeling cheated.
23. As of today, I have not filled up the vouchers and sent to them as I feel this is case of cheating.
24. My repeat emails to them are not eliciting any favourable response.
0 comments