Dear Sir,
Following is the description of the Incident that I have gone through with a company called “Country Vacations, A Division of Country Club (I) Ltd.
On 30/3/08, I got a call from a girl named "Kishori". She told that there has been a lucky draw which has happened and I am one of the lucky people who will be receiving a dinner set, a week accommodation. To receive the gift, I and wife had to visit their office.
So, I and wife went to visit their office for receiving the gift. When we visited that place they told me that they will give a small presentation so we agreed to it. At the presentation they (Sweta, Mr. Asif and Mr. Hemant) told us about lots of offers for holiday resorts. There were several plans. At that instance, the offer was looking good, So, we confirmed for their 30 years plan worth Rs. 2, 05, 000 (They reduced it from 2.5 Lakhs, In fact, People has been offered for Rs. 1.25 Lakhs also.) which included a land of 2000 sq ft at Kolad. I was not ready for this offer.
At the same time, I was told about EMI scheme from ICICI Credit card for 24 months. As I was not sure they convinced me by saying that you can sign the slip and you will receive confirmation call from ICICI Bank and our Head office and I will have option to revert back. So, I signed the credit slip for EMI for total amount of Rs 99, 000.
When we reached home, I got 2 SMS from bank about deduction of 50, 000 and 49000 respectively. This was supposed to be paid in 24 equal installements without any intrest and processing changes.
But when I checked my online account statement (It was reflected after 2 days of transaction), it showed me the deduction of Rs16, 666.66 and Rs16, 333.34 respectively as advance EMI. I spoke to my bank also. They told me that the merchant has deducted 8 installments as one EMI and rest amount will be deducted monthly as two EMI of Rs 2083.33 and Rs 2041.67 respectively.
So, I got alert and analyzed the situation. I opened my laptop and searched for the company’s review. There were so many customers suffering throughout India. I got shocked that the company is fooling so many customers and I became one of them.
Now, I started to go through the agreement paper. I found out that there are several things which were not told and not legal as far as consumer rights are concerned. We felt cheated by them. Following are the points on which the company has failed and created fraud:
1. They have conspired against innocent people like me by offering free gifts and calling them to office to mind wash and sell their illegal product.
2. One rule says that “the agreement is not cancellable.” It is not legal to have an agreement which can not be cancelled. The customer has every right to resist and boycott any person, goods or services in the event of conflict with consumer’s interest”.
3. When I wanted to talked to my parents before making decision they tried to stop me by giving different types of arguments like
a. We have explained 2-3 hours of the product and they will not understand (In fact, they would have understood the wrong motive.)
b. You purchase the offer and after 18months, I (Mr. Asif, Manager) will purchase the plot itself in 1 lakh.
c. This is the best offer we are giving and it is only for today. If you find any better offer we will offer you the same.
4. This offer was only for off season. They hide this information very cleverly.
5. The money was supposed to be deducted only after confirmation from me by ICICI Bank and merchant’s head office. But they deducted it with in ½ an hour.
6. They told me about the EMI Scheme and monthly installment but 33 thousand has been billed immediately. This is a case of fraud relating to the financial transaction.
7. All the agreement points are one sided only. There is no rule which gives any option to customer to revert if service is not found good or customer can ask for his rights.
On 31/3/08,
I reached to company’s office and told that I am not willing to go for it. I gave all the above told reasons as well as my personal reasons to convince them. But they refused to cancel or refund my amount.
I returned all the gifts they had given. The branch office promised me to talk with senior managers and let back to me with in a week. But nothing has happened till now. Whenever I try to call them they are just refusing to talk.
They told only 2 options are left with me:
1. If I do not pay the rest of the amount, they will return only 20 % that too after few months.
2. I will have to find someone (Friend or relative) who is willing to take that package and they can transfer the package in their name. And I will get my money back. It clearly meant that they want me to fool others like they have done it with me. I am not a cheater who will recommend this to anybody in this world.
It is not legal in democratic India for the companies to create a legal document which can not be cancelled. Does not it break right of freedom of a human being?
I would like the company to return the money as soon as possible. Else I will have no option but I will have to look out for some other alternatives like consumer court, Media, Police, etc...
I am having sleepless nights and stressful days since the day I visited this company. As a citizen of this country, I would like to bring this wrong act into the notice of all Indians. Please do not get into the trap of this illegal act.
I have been chasing them but those company professionals are not at all responding to my calls. I have sent multiple mails to their branch and corporate office but there has been no reply from them. At this juncture, I am feeling helpless.
This is also to raise the concerned authorities to take action and stop such kind of companies to deceive people like me. They not only hide information, misguide but also doing crime which is going unnoticed.
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