[Resolved]  Country Club — Tricked me and took advantage

On May 9 two marketing agents, Vikram and Jesudas George, came to my apartment and gave a presentation of their membership offer. The offer was for membership plus the opportunity to invenst in land. The total cost of this package was 1 lakh 45 thousand. I told them I will have to think it over and discuss with family before making a decision. They said that is not a problem. Then came the beginning of my nightmare. They said that in order to block some plots for me they will have to create a temporary account for me. For this to happen they asked me to sign an application form and two receipts. They assured me that the receipts are to keep the application package ready in case I am interested in the membership. Then they asked for my credit card information. They said the credit card is needed for verification (here I assumed that they wanted to verify that I can pay the fees). They took information for two credit cards since he said he is not sure if Amex is accepted.

Then on May 12 Vikram called me to see if I am interested. I told him I am not interested. Then on May 19 when I checked my credit card account online there was a 1 lakh charge on one card and a 45 thousand charge on another. I then went to the Country club offices in Indranagar. After being directed from one office to another, I met a person by name Prabhu Venugopal. He said he was a team lead or something. He first pointed out that I made the mistake of giving my credit card information to his marketing agents. I accepted that this was a fault of mine to trust their marketing agents. Then he also pointed out that the forms I signed say that the money is non-refundable. Again I apologised for trusting the agents. Then I explained to him that they told me that they will not process my application unless I say yes. He said that this was common practice, which startled me a bit. He then started to give me a very convincing assurance that the money is mine and nobody has any right to it. He said they will return the money but he needs about 10 days time. After some more arguing I agreed to stay in touch with him and he promised to get the money back.

After that I am seldom able to reach him. When I try to call him on the number he gave he does not pick up. After 6 or 7 continuous tries somebody picks up and says he is in a meeting. I did manage to talk to him a couple of times and when I (angrily) enquired about the status he kept postponing by saying that the manager who has to sign the papers is not in town. I sent a half dozen emails none of which got responses. I sent a few more emails to the customer service email and again no responses. Finally one person recently told me with certainty that I will not get the money back unless somebody is willing to pay the full amount (1.45 lakhs). Only in this case they will transfer my membership and give me my money. After which I gave up and asked him if he can send me whatever is needed for the membership and the plots. He then told me that each plot will cost 15, 000 (for registration). Four such plots were promised to me when the agents visited me. And there is also a 3000 rupees yearly admistrative fees for membership although I bought a lifetime membership. This is where I am right now. I received one letter from them with a temporary card which has expired. I have not got any permanent membership card or details about the plots. When I last spoke to Prabhu he said he will get back in two days. This was a few months ago.

I called their office today again. A lady spoke and assured me that by today evening she will confirm my membership card status and plot allocation. It is 8:30 PM and my frustration has ended in this public cry for help.