Bonito Designs — Unethical Behavior and Fraud

Address:	Building No 1182 Floor, 2, 5th Main Rd, 7th Sector, HSR Layout, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560102
Website:	bonito.in

With lots of hopes and aspirations I stepped into the premises of Bonito company to furnish interior designs to my newly purchased flat at Bengaluru. At the experience center of the company, I was accorded a warm welcome and the company’s personnel have shown utmost professionalism in their efforts to get my dreams fulfilled in so far as my dream house coming to a reality. Little did I know then that I was being trapped into their stratagem. Mr. George, the team leader —-that was the introduction given by him— had a suave demeanor and his approach was full of niceties. When I ventilated to them about my requirements and my budget which was to the tune of Rs. Eight lakhs, they said that I am at the right place and all my requirements would be fulfilled within the budgetary provision. Thereafter Mr. George was continuously in touch with me and wanted me to pay advance so that they could proceed further in formulating the designs etc. Having been enticed unknowingly, I went to their office and paid an advance of Rs. 90, 000/- as per their calculation. They prepared an estimate for Rs. 9, 00, 000/- and showed their magnanimity by giving me a discount of Rs.1, 00, 000/- and final estimate was to the tune of Rs.8, 00, 000/-. A WhatsApp group was also formed for facilitating the communication till the project is completed. After payment of advance, the scenario was altogether changed. Mr. George has almost disappeared from this deal. The designer furnished a design in consonance with the estimate which was not at all to my liking. When I attempted to modify the design, the estimate was escalated to exorbitant heights beyond my reach. To my utter dismay, they furnished terms and conditions in such a way that the customer will have to bear all the responsibilities failing which he would be tantamount to breach of agreement and would be put to financial loss. Had I gone through those terms and conditions prior to payment of advance, I would never have entered the deal with this dubious company. But by that time, it was too late, and they started dictating terms to me. The cost of the materials quoted by them were far higher than that quoted by the peer companies. In order to save my advance already given to them, I limited my project to be within three lakhs. But they said that it is not possible as the minimum cost of the project should be not less than six lakhs. I had no other way, and I was forced to acquiesce. Accordingly, the design was prepared by them to the tune of Rs.6, 60, 000/-. When I asked for a discount, they said that discount of Rs.45000/- could be availed by me. When I was getting a discount of Rs.1, 00, 000/- for a project cost of Rs. 9, 00, 000/- the new project cost would have a proportionate discount. But they bluntly denied to the legitimate logic put forth by me. Even then I had to agree because I had no other alternative and I signed off and I was about to pay 25% of the project cost to enable them to move to production phase from design phase. In the mean while I received a message from them that the project cost will vary 10% to 15% basing on the actual measurements. This was too much for me to bear. I could clearly read their mind that they would come up with new shenanigans one after the other to squeeze funds from me. Their arbitrariness was beyond my tolerance power. And I decided to withdraw from this dubious deal which is full of flaws flouting all kinds of propriety and sense of fair play. But I demand my advance of Rs. 90000/- back allowing for a deduction of 10% of the amount towards their handling charges. Failure on their part to do so will entail them to be subjected to legal action.