[Resolved]  Shop It Today India Pvt Ltd — Fraud and cheating in the name of Promotional activity

On 27.10.2014, I received a call from phone number[protected] from Mr Amit Kumar saying that he is calling from Shop It Today India Pvt Ltd informed me that your mobile number has been shortlisted under promotional activity in our organization and you are eligible to get Dell Inspiron 15R 5537 (laptop) free of cost only after payment of Rs. 7, 276/- as 12.5% sale tax of market price, (Market Price: Rs. 58208) Accordingly I asked him to provide the same in written communication, as per my request, He forwarded an E mail from their official E mail ID [protected]@shopittoday.in to my personal E mail ID informing the Bank account details of their organization and amount to be paid. He also sent two SMSs to me intimating the Bank account details and detailed description of Dell laptop from the phone number[protected] on the same day. After providing the E mail and the SMS, he asked my basic information which I provided him and then they created my customer ID as SIT02AG72. The same has been informed me through SMS and verified by another department of their organization for the confirmation.
After verification and confirmation of customer ID, I paid Rs. 7, 276/- through ATM transfer in their Axis Bank account number [protected] as per their direction and intimated to them through mail and phone call. They confirmed the payment and informed that before sending your product we will send you welcome gift to verify your address. Next day i.e. on 29.10.2014 Mr. Amit Kumar informed me through call and SMS from phone number[protected] that you have need to pay only Insurance amount Rs. 12, 599/- in company’s favour. I transferred Rs. 12, 599/- in their Axis Bank account through ATM transfer and informed him accordingly. After some time he said that we confirm payment but due to some technical problem in software, amount does not reflect in the system and you have to pay the amount in our ICICI Bank account. He provided me the details of their ICICI Bank account through SMS. I replied that I do not have my account in ICICI Bank and I am not able to pay the same. He said you deposit in our ICICI Bank account by cash at your nearest ICICI Branch. He also said that this amount is total refundable amount and will be refunded you along with your product in the mode of cheque. I deposited Rs. 12, 599/- by cash in ICICI Bank, Mundra Branch in their ICICI Bank account No[protected] and informed him by mail and phone call and the same has been confirmed by them.
Meanwhile, they sent me a welcome kit through DTDC courier containing a shirt, 2 trousers, and a track suit which received me on 03.11.2014. Accordingly I informed them through mail that I received welcome kit sent by you and now please send the mail product along with the cheque. On 4th November, 2014 I received a call from Mr. Shanker informing that if you pay Rs. 19, 875/- on the same day, 12.5% service tax will be refunded to you and you will receive full amount along with your product which will be dispatched on same day and tracking number will be provided to you once the product is being dispatched. Keeping trust on his words, I transferred Rs. 19, 875/- through ATM transfer to their Axis Bank account and informed them through phone call, which they confirmed.
As tracking number was not received on 04.11.2014 as per their commitment, I sent a mail to customer care informing non receiving of tracking number of my product and cheque details and requested to provide the same. Again I called to their customer care mobile number on 06.11.2014 complaining regarding the despatch of my product and cheque, Mr Ajay picked up the call and informed that he will intimate to the concerned department to do the needful. After some time I received a call from Mr Amit saying that your product has been despatched through DTDC courier and he given me a tracking number. I received and opened the parcel, I found only a shirt, a trouser, a wrist watch, a tablet and a power Bank instead of Dell laptop and a cheque for Rs.52, 349/-. On the spot I called to Mr Amit and informed the incident. He said I will check and inform you accordingly. He again called and informed that due to non availability of Dell laptop we sent you other products. On asking for the returning of the parcel, he replied that these products are gift for you and you need not to return the same to us. Now we will provide you promotional activity in cash due to non availability of laptop if you deposit 30% of the product cost i.e. Rs. 17, 462/- today within an hour. I agreed to pay the amount and transferred the amount through ATM transfer in their Axis Bank account hoping that matter will be closed today. After transferring of Rs.17, 462/- through ATM transfer, I informed to Mr Amit by phone call which he confirmed same and asked me my complete Bank account details of Axis Bank for the fund transfer which I provided him. After an hour passed I called again to Mr Amit for the status of the fund transfer as it was not reflected in my Axis Bank account. He said that you have to sign the User agreement for Shop’n’ win contest along with your ID proof within 24 hours which has been sent on your mail ID, print it, put your signature on each page and attach your ID proof. I said him that why I was not being informed before payment for the same. He said this is compulsory for the registration and refund. I became very disappointed with such type of behaviour from him and done the same as he directed.
On 10th November, 2014 a call from Sudha Chandran from phone number[protected] saying himself as Branch Manager of Axis Bank, Sector 24, Rohini Branch and directed me to deposit Rs.25, 500/- as a security deposit into the Axis bank account of Shop IT Today Pvt Ltd. She said that 5% of Rs. 25, 500/- will be deducted as bank Charges and a total amount of Rs.1, 52, 239/- will be credited directly into your Axis bank account within one or two hours after your payment of Rs. 25, 500/-. Before payment I called to Mr Amit Kumar and Nayna Baxi and informed them about Sudha’s Call for the subject payment. They confirmed the same on call and after their confirmation, I transferred Rs.25, 500/- into their Axis Bank account through ATM transfer and informed them. As per their commitment, the fund was not transferred into my account after more than two hours, I called to Sudha Chandran regarding the same, she said that due to transaction failure your fund has not been transferred and will be transferred on next day. Next day I received two calls from Nayna Baxi and Amit Kumar that your fund will be credited into your account within 48 to 72 hours.
The fund was also not credited into my account even after 72 hours as per their commitment; I tried to call Mr Amit Kumar and Nayna Baxi, Call picked up by Mr Rohit. He said that Mr Amit Kumar resigned the organization and Nayna is on leave for her marriage. I asked him about my refund, he said that your refund is under process and will be credited into your account on 17.11.2014. Again the fund was not transferred on 17.11.2014, I requested Rohit to discuss the matter with their higher authority. Accordingly he transferred the line to Madhu Gupta (Senior Branch Manager of their organization). I discussed with her about 40 minutes and explained whole the issue. She apologised for the same and said that she will check up the issue from their side and reply accordingly on next day. Next day, Madhu Gupta over phone call said that she checked up the whole issue and said as per our policy your fund will be transferred on 12.12.2014. In this regard, she sent me the SMS for the same and provided me her mobile no [protected] to call for communication.
Madhu Gupta on 3rd December, 2014 called me that your refund is under process and you have to pay Rs. 15, 591/- as Tax Certificate and Rs.15, 590/- as a proof of Customer. She also said we inform you well and advance for the subject payment to avoid problem in the refund by the Government. I requested him to give the same in writing, accordingly, she sent an SMS on mobile for the same. Keeping the trust on her words and SMS, as she has given the reference of Government, I transferred a total amount of Rs.31, 181/- in single mode by the way of ATM transfer into their Axis Bank account on the same day and informed her. She confirmed the payment, but informed me that the single mode of payment of two charges will not be acceptable by our system; you must have to pay separate payment for both the charges. I really became very disappointed for this situation and as per her direction, I again transferred Rs. 15, 591/- & Rs. 15, 590/- separately into their Axis Bank account on 05.12.2014 by the ways of ATM Transfer. On 10.12.2014 a verification call from their account section received to me to verify my Bank account details for the transfer of my refund on 12.12.2014.
On 12.12.2014 Mr Bipin Maurya called me that your refund will be processed today only if you will pay Rs.21, 789/- as same day activity charges. I called to Madhu Gupta over mobile to waive the this charges as I have already deposited Rs.1, 57, 673/-, she said that she is ravelling and out of the office, hence, I cannot help you to waive the charges. I asked them to provide in writing, they sent an SMS for the payment. As I do not have any option but to pay, accordingly I again transferred Rs.21, 789/- and informed them. After confirmation of the payment they said your refund will be credited within two hours. I received a call from Mr Bipin Maurya and Madhu Gupta from her mobile after two hours of my payment that your fund has been transferred through NEFT from HDFC Bank and will show into your account within three hours. I asked them to provide UTR number and other details but they did not produce saying that the details will be produced later on.
As my refund of Rs. 1, 82, 992/- was not credited into my account on the same day, I again called them for the status of the refund. They said that due to transaction failure the fund was not transferred. Mr Bipin Maurya said that he will go to Bank personally and will process the refund on 14.12.2014. I tried to call Madhu Gupta for many times, but she never picked up my calls after 12.12.2014 due to false commitment and non transfer of my refund. I sent a mail on 17.12.2014 to their complaint section through customer care regarding my issue, I received a call from Shobha Aiyer from phone number[protected] saying that she is from complaint department and informed me that as per Govt Bond your fund has been increased on 11.12.2014 Rs. 2, 90, 000/- and your total benefit is Rs. 4, 96, 000/-, you have to pay taxable amount of Rs. 43, 500/- of Rs. 2, 90, 000/- and you have to pay Rs. 7, 000/- file lock charges. Your fund will be credited into your account on 5th January, 2015.and if you will not pay these charges your fund will be credited into your account after six months. I asked this information in writing which they provided by SMS and E mail. As they given the reference of Govt Bond benefit, I agreed to pay the amount of Rs. 50, 500/- on three conditions. 1. There will no additional payment after this payment, 2. There is no any requirement is needed and 3. My refund of Rs. 4, 96, 000/- will be credited into my account latest by 07.01.2015. They agreed and given written confirmation through SMS. Accordingly, I transferred the amount of Rs. 43, 500/- & Rs. 7000/- through internet banking on 23.12.2014 and informed the same to their representative Shobha Aiyer and Mr. Chetan on the same day.
As I completed all the terms and conditions as per their requirements and paid all the charges demanded periodically as and when they asked to pay. I waited for the 7th January, 2015 for my refund of Rs. 4, 96, 000/-. On 7th January I called to Mr Chetan for my refund status he replied that our accountant is not available in office today, you will be replied on 08.01.2015 for the final status of your refund. I again called on 08.01.2015; Mr Chetan replied that your refund will be credited on 27.01.2015 as accountant has issued cheque for the date of 27.01.2015 for your refund. I asked him to provide me scanned copy of cheque for the genuineness; he denied providing the same. I found their all communication held with me for the promotional activity and Govt Bond benefit nothing but fraud and cheating, hence I requested them that I am not interested in your offer of benefit and to refund only amount which I deposited into their Bank accounts i.e. Rs.2, 29, 962/-. But they have not replied till date.
I very disappointed and upset from their such behaviour and sent a detailed mail to complaint section through customer care E mail ID on 09.01.2015 asking replies of my various queries regarding the problems faced by me from 27th October, 2014, they have replied as follows:
“Dear Mr. Khatri,
!! Greetings of the Day !!
Sorry for the inconvenience cause to you.
We had forwarded your concern matter to relevant department; they will call you back shortly.
We do check your matter, and reply as soon as possible.
For any query kindly revert same.
Thanks & Regards,
Team Customer Care,
Shopittoday.in

On the basis of the above communication from them, I hoped that positive reply from them will be received within a short time, but on 20.01.2015 Shobha Aiyer called me to pay Rs. 40, 200/- as a security deposit for the refund on 27.01.2015. I wondered to hear from her and replied that I have written communication from your side that I do not have to pay anything and you also aware about this. She sent me an SMS and mailed for the payment of Rs. 40, 200/- where they written that you agreed and accepted terms and conditions for the subject payment. I accordingly replied through mail that I never agreed and accepted your term and condition for the payment of Rs 40, 200/-. In spite of this they again sent mail for the payment of Rs. 40, 200/- as security deposit. I again disagreed with them and replied as earlier. After denying the payment for Rs.40, 200/- from me, the attitude of Shobha and Chetan became very rude and the tone of language became very rough. They also threaten me saying that you do anything; your refund will be credited into your account after six months. They sent also an SMS on 30.01.2015 informing the same. I asked clarification from them through mail, but they have not given clarification for the same till date. I also requested customer care team through mail to their General Manager/ CEO/ Managing Director to sort out the issue as I am not in a fault at all and I face a huge difficulty due to blocking my fund into the organization from a long time without any benefit, but they are not interested to refund my amount. Even they do not reply phone calls properly and disconnect the calls without completing the conversation.

I again requested to Shobha on 06.02.2015 to let me contact their General Manager/ CEO/ Managing Director to discuss directly with them to sort out issue, she transferred the line to their Managing Director Mr Ishant Avasthi. Accordingly I explained and discussed my whole issue in detail with him. He replied that I will check all call recordings; mail & SMS communication held with you and will reply accordingly. After two or three days he replied “as per our policy your refund will be transferred to your account after six months, but your matter will be resolved in the month of May, 2015”. I disagreed with him and asked the clarification under which policy, provision and circumstances matter will be resolved in the month of May, 2015 instead of immediate effect as I am not in fault at all and my refund was supposed to be transferred into my account latest by 27.01.2015 as per your written communication.

I kept trust and faith on their each and every advise and did as per directions as and when given by their representatives periodically to get promotional activity and Govt Bond benefit. As shopittoday.in is an ISO 9001:2008 certified company and I never thought that the representative of an ISO certified company can fraud and cheat a customer in the name of promotional activity, tell a lie in the name of Bank and especially in the name of Govt Bond benefit.
The various telephone numbers used by them[protected],[protected],[protected],[protected],[protected]-65990896 &[protected] Mobile No: [protected] (Madhu Gupta).

The names of main persons contacted : Amit Kumar, Chandra Shekhar, Nayna Baxi, Rohit, Madhu Gupta, Bipin Maurya, Shobha Aiyer, Chetan, Ishant Avasthi.
In view of the above, I hereby request your good self to investigate the matter on the following:

1. Whether their offer of dell laptop for promotional activity is genuine or otherwise.
2. Their computer software system really did not accept my payment of Rs. 12, 599/- of Axis Bank done on 29.10.2014 and they asked to pay in ICICI Bank. Similar way I paid two charges in a single mode on 03.12.2014, they also did not accept due to non acceptance of system, whether is it true or otherwise.
3. Why other products are being sent instead of actual product which they offer and why the customer is not being intimated about other products.
4. Sudha Chandran who called me as a Branch Manager of Axis Bank Rohini Branch to pay Rs. 25, 500/- to Shop It Today India Pvt Ltd in their Axis Bank account, but she was not from Axis Bank, Rohini Branch, why they are asking payment form a customer in the name of Bank?
5. They collect payment from a customer in the name of various charges like courier charges, insurance charges, tax certificate charges, proof of customer charges, same day activity charges, taxable amount of benefit charges, file lock charges, security deposit etc for their offer of promotional activity and Govt Bond benefit. Whether this charges are applicable for such benefits or this is a purely fraud and cheating activities in the name of offer of Govt Bond benefits.
6. As per intimation received from Madhu Gupta and Mr Bipin Maurya on 12.12.2014 that your refund has been transferred into your account through NEFT from HDFC Bank, in this regard, it is requested to check and verify whether actual transaction from their side is taken place from HDFC Bank or it is false statement from their side. Why Madhu Gupta as a Senior Branch Manager of the company not replying the customer even after giving mobile number for contact if customer has a query if any.
7. Why false commitments and statements given by their representatives to the customer if they are not able to do and why appropriate replies are not being given through mails to the customer on asking about his genuine queries as and when asked a customer. I requested and asked them many times to reply of my mails as per their reply policy but they have not replied for a single mail. From 27.10.2014 to till date I sent them approximately 50 mails but they have not replied, they confirmed only payment confirmation through mail.
8. Why they ask to pay security deposit for the refund even after I have written confirmation from them that I have not pay after the payment of Rs. 50, 500/-.
9. As I fulfilled all the terms and conditions to avail promotional activity and Govt Bond benefit offered by them and paid all the charges as and when they demanded from me, then why they did not refund me total benefit of Rs.4, 96, 000/- on 07.01.2015 as per their written communication.
10. On asking about complete postal address of their office to meet Mr Ishant Avasthi Managing Director of their organization, Mr Avasthi refused to provide the address and threaten me to meet in Court.
I am really very upset, disappointed and frustrated due to this issue happened with me and it has very badly affected on my mental and physical health. I am facing a huge difficulty due to fund blocking and I am in not a position to wait till the month of May, 2015. Therefore I once again requested to you to look into the matter and issue them necessary instructions to refund my own amount of Rs. 2, 29, 962/- as early as possible.