Fraudulent Sale of Ordinary Items at Exorbitant Rates
I and my wife I went to Kufri (Shimla) for leave travel. At Chini Banglow, we visited the Chaar Chinar Handloom Emporium, where it was claimed that the shop belonged to Ladakh Handloom, a Govt of J & K enterprise. We were shown 3 blankets of different variety, priced at Rs 8, 000/=, 16, 000/= and 32, 500/=. Along with the blankets, some other items were also shown as free gifts. It was assured that the blankets were made of 100 % pure Pashnmina, and that the same would be given on 5-years lease and not on sale. It was also stated that the Lease Agreement would be received by the customer within 01 month of payment for the item. Further, it was added that within one month of the date of payment, local Khadi Bhandar staff would visit the customer and verify his/her address. Further, on expiry of the lease period, the local Khadi Bhandar staff (on behalf of Ladakh Scout, Govt of J & K), would collect the blanket back from the customer and make payment of double the amount paid for the blanket at the time of the Lease Agreement. This amounted to Rs 16, 000/=, 32, 000/= and 65, 000/= for the three different blankets. Also, it was stated that the gifts along with the blankets were unconditional free give-aways; hence, the same would remain with the customer and would not be taken back.
We selected the Rose colour blanket priced at Rs 32, 500/=, which was claimed to be made of 100% pure Pasmina material, and that it was effective even in the severest winters anywhere across the country. This was accompanied with following free-gifts : 01 100% pure Pashmina blanket of Golden Beige colour, 01 ordinary blanket Beige colour, 02 Bed-Sheets with 02 light/ordinary blankets and 02 Pillow-Covers, 02 Shawls, and 01 ordinary carpet. Out of these, the Golden Beige colour blanket was claimed to be made of 100% pure Pasmina material and that it was as effective as the main (Rose colour) blanket. Also, the two Bed-Sheets, which smelled of sandal-wood, were claimed to be Chandanwadi Bed-Sheets, which would smell like sandal-wood throughout their life, as long as they were washed by hand (1st wash was to be done without any detergent/soap). Further, the two shawls were claimed to be of Pasmina material, which were claimed to be effective even in the severest winters anywhere across the country. Accordingly, a payment of Rs 32, 500/= was made to the shop through my credit card on 06 Jul 10, for which, Bill No. 2556 dated 06 Jul 10 was provided. Thereafter, my wife's signature was taken on a Lease Agreement, and it was promised that after completion of formalities by Ladakh Handlooms, the said Agreement would reach us at our address within one month.
We received the items at our address in Gwalior within the next fortnight. However, when we used the items, we realised that they did not turn out to be as promised. The main item, the Rose colour blanket was ineffective even in mild winters in the 1st week of Dec 10 in Gwalior. Hence, it would be absolutely ineffective in the severe winters of the colder parts of the country. The same was found to be true for the second Pashmina blanket of Golden Beige colour, which was a free gift item, but claimed to be as effective as the main item blanket. Further, on using the two shawls in winters, it was again realised that the same were ineffective even in mild winters in the 1st week of Dec 10 in Gwalior. Hence, it would be absolutely ineffective in the severe winters of the colder parts of the country.
In addition, the two Chandanwadi Bed-Sheets also did not turn out to be as promised. The smell of sandal-wood vanished just after the first wash without soap/detergent as per the instructions given. Further, no Lease Agreement was ever received by us from J & K Ladakh Handlooms, or from any other agency in this regard, in spite of several reminders to the shop on mobile phone no. 98053 17438.
The name of shop written over the receipt given to us is as under.
CHAAR CHINAR HANDLOOM EMPORIUM,
CHINI BUNGALOW, VILL & P.O. KUFRI, SHIMLA (H.P.)
Ph : 92184-03321
It is requested that this matter may kindly be investigated and case may be taken up for refund/recovery of my money from the above-mentioned shop/persons. Further, it is also requested that this information may be displayed as a warning for future tourists on the Himachal Tourism website.
Regards.
Wg Cdr AK Singh
Mob : 8817 111 987; 98688 99227.
E-Mail: [email protected]
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