[Resolved]  Club Jiva — Fraud company duping innocent tourists

Address:	Mumbai City, Maharashtra
Website:	www.clubjiva.in

Dear Sir/ Madam

On 4th June, 2016, me and my wife were at condolim, goa. One Mr. Manoj approached us and offered free holiday saying that there is some promotional scheme going on at Goa and requested to attend a presentation next day at a hotel close of Hotel Alor Grande where I was staying. On 5th June, we were made to sit in a hall where loud music was being played.

The sales persons Ms. Sonali Singh and Mr. Aditya ([protected]) explained me about the membership and made so many attractive promises which seemed unbelievable. However, I kept on listening to them and during this period I was served chilled water and tea. After consuming water I started feeling drowsy. I suspect they must have added something added in my drinks. During conversation, besides offering cheapest hotel prices across the world in 4 and 5 star categories they even promised that they could arrange for the local conveyance (two wheeler & four wheeler) in Goa for me at a very cheaper price. Finally, they committed me Red Membership for 10 years for Rs.56, 000/-. Though I was hesitant in accepting their offer and asked them about the refund of amount in case I want to discontinue later for whatsoever reason. They assured that if I am not satisfied and cancel the decision of membership they will refund whole amount after deducting an amount of Rs.800/- to Rs.1000/- nominal administrative charges. I asked them to mention this clause in the agreement and they prepared the same accordingly and insisted me to sign on the agreement. Then they swiped my Citibank credit card for Rs.56, 000/- and I went back to my hotel along with one agreement copy, payment receipt and brochure of Club Jiva. When I asked about my membership card, they told me that it will be couriered at my home address within 10-15 days.

As I was feeling sleepy, I went to my hotel room and slept for 2 hours. In the evening, I thought of trying their services for local conveyance at a cheaper rate, as promised by them and called on the given mobile Number [protected] and requested them to arrange for a car and a two wheeler at a cheaper rate. Ms. Sonali Singh took the call and told me that the driver will call you and bring the vehicles at your hotel. I waited for 2-3 hours but nobody turned up. However, again I called her in the evening around 7 pm, then she told me that the driver was unable to reach on your mobile. I was bit surprised as I mobile was easily reachable and well within the network and I was attending all other calls from everywhere. I told her to send the vehicles next day morning but nobody came. Now, it started creating doubt in my mind about the genuineness of their promised services.

Then I thought of going through my agreement and I was shocked to note the following facts :-

Firstly, I was committed for RED Membership but it was mentioned BLUE Membership in the agreement.

Secondly, it was mentioned at point 12 of the agreement that the agreement is neither cancellable nor refundable whereas I was told that if I am not satisfied and cancel the decision of membership they will refund whole amount after deducting an amount of Rs.800/- to Rs.1000/- nominal administrative charges. It seems they have duped me into this fraudulent transaction and played a trick with me by changing the pages of agreement. When they showed me one agreement before signing, it was mentioned that if not satisfied, whole amount will be refunded after deduction of nominal charges. They must have changed the pages while taking my signature.

Then I started searching about this company online and then I realized that I have fallen prey to this fraud company like many others who have already posted their online complaints on Indian consumer complaints forum against club jiva. I was very much upset and then I immediately called on the given mobile number and informed them about this fact. First, Ms. Sonali received the call and then handed over it to Mr. Aditya. They both appeared scared but Mr. Aditya told me not to worry, just send an email to [protected]@clubjiva.in and your amount will be refunded within 10 days after deduction of around Rs.1000/-. I had sent an email but to my surprise I received the following reply :

Dear Member,
Greetings from Club Jiva!!!
Thank you for writing to us

We would like to inform you that your refund request is forwarded to concerned Team.
Confirmation TAT is 15 working days.
So we'll get back to you once we will get confirmation whether your refund is approved or not.

For any Further queries feel free to contact us.
Warm Regards,
Member Relation Team
Then I immediately sent the following reply :-
Dear Sir / Madam,

Thanks for your prompt response.

Please note that as I have already spoken to your Goa Executives viz. Ms. Sonali Singh and Mr. Aditya regarding my refund and they have assured me that after deduction of nominal administrative charges, the whole amount will be refunded within -21- days. Hence, there is no question of getting confirmation or approval regarding my refund.

Kindly advise me the tentative date by which my money will be refunded so as to avoid any kind o[censored]npleasantness on either side.

Hope the matter is clear to you now.

Awaiting your early reply.

Best regards

Vishvajeet Chatterjee

But I did not receive any reply to my above email. Then I tried to call on the given mobile number but nobody is receiving my call. Frustrated, I called up the customer care where Madam Nisha told me that the amount is not refundable. I was deeply shocked and upset to hear her reply.
One more thing I have discovered that this company is not five years old as they claim.
Now it is proved that Club Jiva is totally fraud company and it lures and bring the people to their rented office where their Sales/Marketing team can fool them with all fake commitments and trap them in an unfair and illegal manner, and duping/cheating them of their hard earned money (and never fulfill any promises/commitments made earlier and illegally use their money as an investment amount in Club Jiva business sought by misrepresentation and unfair means.
I have checked their feedback and credibility on internet and was shocked to know that Club Jiva has a very bad name and very bad reputation in the clubs and recreation market and so many customer complaints available openly on the internet.
The modus operandi of Club Jiva is to lure and bring people to their rented office, make people members, forcefully and wasting time that’s too in a vacation. We need the refund our entire amount and at the same time, a very strict and timely action should be taken against them in order to save the other innocent tourists.
Vishvajeet Chatterjee
Mobile Number +91 [protected]