This is how India Today Book Club cheats the gullible

Here is the woes of a victim. This is how the big corporate houses have been cheating the gullible.

Sir,
I, Mr. Vijay P. Ahire, presently residing at 10-Koyana, New TIFR Staff Quarters, Sion-Trombay Road, Mandala, Mankhurd, Mumbai - 400 088.

1. The representatives of INDIA TODAY BOOK CLUB (ITBC) called me continuously and asking me to become a member of ITBC. Initially I ignored the calls and told the representatives that I am not interested. The representatives continued to call me on my landline and mobile and offered me various amount of cash prizes. They informed me that if I purchase a particular product from them, than I would be entitled for certain amount of cash prizes. The representatives of ITBC kept on calling me and lured me to purchase products that were sold at a higher price than the market price by offering me cash prizes. I believed the offers made to be genuine and fell prey to the offers made by them and accepted the membership.

2. ITBC executive assured that on purchase of a mobile phone of Samsung Omnia (Pro B7320) costing Rs 13,998/-, he would get a reward of Rs. 10,000/-. The reward was so enticing that I readily agreed to purchase the same and made the payment through my ICICI Bank credit card through by secure telephone payment system (may be IVR payment). They gave the booking ID number 880082990 to me and he informed that I would receive a call confirming the prize amount. Accordingly, the call confirming that he has rewarded a sum of Rs. 10,000/- On being asked about the how the payment would be made, the representative said that the same would be informed later.

3. Again on 23^rd March, 2010 I received a call from ITBC representative offering me a Blackberry Bold 9000 mobile phone for Rs. 29,999/- and in return I would receive an award of Rs. 25,000/-. The offer was so exciting that I ended up purchasing the same and the booking ID number was 880097338. Similarly, I received a call from ITBC representative on 7^th April, 2010 and offered to give me a reward of Rs. 2,00,000/- (Two lakhs only) if I purchased one more Blackberry Bold 9000 mobile phone for Rs. 29,999/-. I believed in the representation of representative and purchased the second Blackberry phone also, the booking id number being 880101991, with the dream of getting Rs. 2,00,000/-.

4. At regular intervals, ITBC representatives called me and provoked me to buy some of the other products with an offer of cash prizes in return. I purchased several products such as Samsung mobile phones, Blackberry mobile phones, Whirlpool water purifiers, Whirlpool microwave oven, Aptech & Samsung camcorders, Philips home-theatres and Microsoft gaming consoles etc amounting to Rs. 2,10,153/- (Two lakh ten thousand one hundred and fifty three only). On every purchase made, I was informed that some would be given in the form of cash and after purchase of products of Rs. 2,10,153/-, the cash rewards totaled upto Rs. 10,21,000/- (Ten lakh twenty one thousand only) and voucher worth Rs. 70,000/-. I made every payment through ICICI and Barclay Bank credit cards. I was never suspicious of any fraud played on me as I was receiving all the products purchased by me on time.

5. On 27^th April, 2010, I received a call from one Mr. Rajeev Sharma, who introduced himself as a Senior executive of ITBC and informed me that I have won cash prize amount of Rs. 10,21,000/- alongwith vouchers worth Rs. 70,000/- (dell laptop and some products). I was also informed by Mr. Rajeev Sharma that I would receive the cash prize once I paid the necessary taxes. I was further asked to pay the taxes amounting to Rs. 34,978 in two installments after which I would get the details of the cheque amounting to Rs. 10,21,000 (Ten Lakh twenty one Thousand) and the locking ID. After paying up the so called tax amount, I received two Microsoft X Box 360 Arcade Gaming console products, worth Rs. 17,489/- each with the booking ID’s bearing nos. 880106017 and 880106030 by courier. He further explained that on payment of the amount, I will receive a locking ID which is essential to receive the cheque at the function to be organized by ITBC, and stated it is necessary to receive the prize. As I had exhausted my credit card limit, I used my friend’s card to pay the amount of Rs. 34,978 towards tax and once the payment was made, I was provided with a Locking ID bearing number LOC44@5692. Mr. Rajeev Sharma also provided the cheque number – 452187, dated 31^st March, 2010 drawn on Axis Bank for an amount of Rs.10,21,000 (Ten Lakh Twenty One Thousand). I was also informed that the function would be held at Delhi or Bangalore, on 31^st May, 2010 and I would air tickets for the same and also that my stay would be arranged in a five star hotel.

6. On 31^st May, 2010, one Mr. Ravi Ranjan called me and introduced himself as a Senior executive of ITBC and confirmed that the prize cheque amounting to Rs.10,21,000/- alongwith the vouchers of Rs. 70,000/- would be given to him at the function which was scheduled to be held in Delhi on 30^thJune 2010. The said Mr. Ravi Ranjan informed me that I would very soon receive my air tickets to Delhi for me and my family alongwith the details of the booking done in the five star hotel.

7. I have written several mails in respect of the prize money at feedback@indiatodaybookclub.com and tried to contact the concerned representatives through the same. However, I have not received any response from them nor from any of their representatives. I was shocked to receive a mail from them stating that I am not entitled to any of the cash prizes nor was any confirmation given to me. They are also running an online portal in the name of http://www.bagittoday.com andhttp://www.indiatodaybookclub.com. Whenever I write mail to them, I receive a standard reply asking me to make further enquiries at offers@bagittoday.com or orders@bagittoday.com or to call on the so-called helpline number (011-40502424, 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM, and all 7 days).

8. I have received all the products along with Invoice cum delivery note but most of them don’t have any Octroi slip which shows that, ITBC has not paid any Maharashtra Octroi duty on those products. Details of the products purchased by me are as given below:

SerialNo.	Payment Dated	Booking ID’s	Invoice Date	Product Name	Paid (Rs.)
01.	04/03/10	8800 82990	27/03/10	Samsung Omnia Pro B7320 Mobile	13,998/-
02.	23/03/10	8800 97338	12/04/10	Blackberry Bold 9000 Mobile	29,999/-
03.	07/04/10	8801 01991	12/04/10	Blackberry Bold 9000 Mobile	29,999/-
04.	22/04/10	8801 03872	23/04/10	Whirlpool R.O. Water Purifier	14,598/-
05.	22/04/10	8801 03877	23/04/10	Whirlpool R.O. Water Purifier	14,598/-
06.	12/04/10	1100 71543	30/04/10	Whirlpool Microwave Oven	7,098/-
07.	14/04/10	1100 71679	26/04/10	Aptech 10 M.P. Cameracorder	7,498/-
08.	14/04/10	1100 71684	15/04/10	Philips DVDP + Home Theater DSP2500	7,598/-
09.	14/04/10	1100 71691	15/04/10	Philips DVDP + Home Theater DSP2500	7,598/-
10.	27/04/10	1100 73547	28/04/10	Samsung Omnia Pro B7320 Mobile	14,998/-
11.	27/04/10	1100 73548	10/05/10	Whirlpool R.O. Water Purifier	14,598/-
12.	14/04/10	8801 06017	15/04/10	Microsoft X Box 360 Arcade Console	17,489/-
13.	14/04/10	8801 06030	15/04/10	Microsoft X Box 360 Arcade Console	17,489/-
14.	13/06/10	1100 76918	29/06/10	Samsung Cameracorder 12 Mp	11,399/-
15.	13/06/10	1100 76919	16/06/10	Gold Box Offer	1,196/-

9. when ITBC wanted me to purchase the products, ITBC representatives called me continuously and now I want to make enquiries in respect of the very same transactions, they are not even replying to me. This clearly indicates that under a big name, the ITBC are cheating the consumers to purchase products and luring them by offering huge prizes. All the above stated products are without any Guarantee or warranty i.e they are not stamped which makes the warrantee/guarantee worthless. The Blackberry Handsets sent to me are with “AT&T” Tag which mean ITBC is aware that handsets, which has such tags are not used in India. That means those handsets have been unlocked and resold in India. The representative has informed me that the Samsung and Aptech cameracorder are of 12 and 10 megapixel respectively, but on receiving the said products, I found that the representation made by them was false.

10. I had to undergo unnecessary tension and stress because of the unfair trade practice and deficiency of service by ITBC. I, therefore, request you to look into the matter, so that they pay me the amount of Rs. 10,21,000/- towards the prize money earned by me with interest @18% along with Rs. 2,00,000/- towards compensation for mental agony and costs of Rs. 10,000/- and please do help the appropriate legal proceedings before the appropriate forum for the redressal of my grievances.

I expect that wiser counsel shall prevail me. I have been already sent them a notice through a legal firm. Since the opposite party is located at New Delhi. I have to lodge the complaint over there. I hope, You can contribute some help in the regard .

Please do help me to get the detailed study in those following sentences before making the formal complaint -

(i) ITBC Lured me to buy products at high price by offering cash prizes and not provided. Unlawful Practice

(ii) Blackberry Mobiles are with AT&T tag this mean used, Refurbished & Unlocked phones sold me as a new.

(iii) Lured me to pay the tax Rs. 34,978 in two installments to have the details of the locking ID and cheque details, instead received two Microsoft X Box 360 gaming consoles. Cheating IPC-420

(iii) Samsung C-20 and Aptech DVT9 Camcorder are 1.9 Mega Pixel (MP) and SVGA Camera respectively but while selling specified that those are 12MP and 10 MP respectively. Misrepresentation.

(iv) In some products, Maharashtra Octroi is evaded. Unlawful activity by relevant Sections of B.M.C. ACT,1988, 478-1A - Where any article imported into Greater Bombay they are liable to the payment of Octroi, any person who, with the intention of evading payment of the tax introduces or attempts to introduce or causes or abets the introduction of any such articles within the limits of Greater Bombay upon which payment of Octroi due on such introduction has neither been made not tendered, shall, on conviction, be punished with fine which shall not be less than five times but which may extend to ten times the amount of tax payable.

Hope you will go through and made me a strong consumer.

Yours Sincerely,

Vijay Ahire
10 Koyana, New TIFR Staff Quarters,
Sion Trombay Road, Mandala,
Mankhurd, Mumbai - 400088.
986948844

Opposite Party :-

INDIA TODAY BOOK CLUB (ITBC), LIVING MEDIA INDIA Ltd.,

B-47, Indira Enclave, Neb Sarai, New Delhi – 110068.

Tel.: 011 – 40504545, Fax : 011 – 29534574.

e-mail: response@indiatodaybookclub.com

http://www.indiatodaybookclub.com/