My parents received a call from the marketing department to come and have a look and they visited the office of Highland Holiday Homes. There my parents were given an overview of this holiday package where one can pay Rs. 35, 000 and get several benefits. The package was for holidays where it gives free stay at any place in India for 5 trips in 5 years, for 5 people.
The marketing guys gave a very rosy picture of the entire package and kept persuading my parents to buy this package. My parents were also about to leave since Rs. 35, 000 is a big amount for us. However, they kept pestering and said the amount will be charged in installments on the credit card.
Slowly, we kept learning that whatever promises were made verbally before registration are not all correct. Some examples are given below:
1. The stay at the hotels is not free; but a minimum of 500 to 800 needs to be paid. This is the amount we pay when we visited earlier on our own, since we cannot afford to stay in luxury hotels costlier than this anyways.
2. We were told that the travel i.e. the train journey will get some concessions. However denied later.
3. We were also told that if we don’t use the facilities, an amount of Rs. 21, 000 would be returned back. However, later the authorities denied this.
4. Most importantly, the credit card was supposed to be charged in installments of Rs. 2000 or some amount around that but we were charged entire Rs. 35, 000 in the first shot itself.
5. It was promised that all family members enrolled will get a free membership in Poona Club. Now when I called Poona club, they are not even aware and they say there is no membership since years and more.
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The sad thing is none of the above promises are in writing but the things that were told verbally, none of them are true. Since we dont have anything in writing, nothing can be done legally as well. We have lost our hard earned money of Rs 35, 000 for which they are not even allowing a cancellation (even with cancellation charges).
I agree some part of this was our mistake but Highland is making money cheating others like this of their hard earned money. I hope publishing this will atleast warn a few others.
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