[Resolved]  Sterling Holidays — No refund received from Sterling Holidays

Address:

Bangalore, Karnataka

I had taken a membership on Oct 22nd 2012, customer id - 1208101. Sterling executive from Bangalore branch named Vikas Reddy had visited my premises and explained me the plan. He was very courteous while briefing me the product. I decided to go with Red membership which had the cost of 3,63,830. I had agreed to pay 10% of the amount upfront and remaning through my credit card ECS. Since I didn't had enough money I paid Rs. 7000 in cash on 15th Oct and requested him that I will pay remaining a week later. But due to some personal reasons/other commitments I had to opt off the membership and requested the same to Vikas/Seema (was team lead of Vikas). Since I needed the money for personal reasons, even though they forced me so much, I didnt agree and asked them to proceed with termination. Vikas and his team lead met me in my house and tried to convince me again, but I was firm on this as I had problems and commitments, then they said that I need to pay the entire amount (10% of 3.6 lakhs which is 36383/-) to get the refund back which I would get in 7 days to 15 days. Though I had kept the amount for my other commitment, I made sure I paid 36383/- through cash. Vikas told me not to send any mail till he intimates me further. A week passed and no call came from vikas. The real truth of Vikas and sterling holidays came to light from here. He started giving reasons saying he is not in town or something or the other whenever I called him but gave a good suggestion to block the indusind card. So, I made sure to send a mail requesteing for cancellation and did that on Oct 29th (mail sent only to Vikas and seema). I called him and said I sent a mail for cancellation and he was so worried and asked me why did I do this? He told why am I not believeing him. Then I mentioned I have sent a mail only to him and his team lead, he was then happy. Later 3-4 days passed and I knew I had to cancel the membership within 10 days of paying the amount (this is one more way of cheating customers, its not 10 days after we receive their membership documents but 10 days after you make the initial payment where your application is accepted). So, I called him up and asked again on the same, he started avoiding me. I sent a SMS asking which email id I need to send for cancellation, he didnt reply. I again on top of
it sent a message asking if the mail id is '[protected]@sterlingholidays.com' and reply (SMS) came instantly saying 'YES' from Vikas. So, I sent a mail to cancel my membership copying him on Oct 29th 2012.

A week passed and Vikas stopped responding to me, so had to call customer care to know the staus. Their I was shocked to hear that they have never received any request from me. I briefed on the above and they said I need to send a mail to '[protected]@sterlingholidays.com'. I was disappointed by the false information given by Vikas and forwarded the mail I had sent to other mail id to [protected]@sterlingholidays.com on Nov 5th. Then the follow up started, Vikas never picked the call nor called me back, so I called Bangalore office to know the status. Person name Madhu picked the call and I explained the issue. He said he will take care of it and my membership would be cancelled in 3 days. I called him after 3 days which was around Deewali time, he was on leave, I waited till he was back. I kept on calling till I could speak to him and one final day may be in 2nd week on November I caught hold of him and asked the status, He said he has already sent a mail to accounts team and its under processing. I was quite happy at that time. On Nov 15th, after multiple tries to reach Madhu went in vain, I called up customer care to know the status. Second shock was on the way! they said no request has been put yet to cancel my membership. I was so furious with the false statements by Madhu and Vikas, I sent a strong mail to them saying what had happened. But as usual, they replied diplomatically saying someone would call me. I again called customer care to know the staus on Nov 17th, they said its under processing and we would not know the status till 45 business days. I stopped following up as I knew its just a time waste to call these cheaters till 45 business days are completed. Also, I blocked the card on Dec 2nd where 11,000/- monthly ECS was supposed to be debited on 7th Dec. I was again surprised that they tried to debit my card on 7th even after the cancellation request given on Oct 29th. Good that I had blocked the card.

Today, that is on Jan 8th 2013, I called customer care to know the status as it was more than 45 business days. One more shock was on the way that my cancellation request was put up in mid of december which means according to sterling holidays I get only 75% of the refund back since the request was put after 10 days. If it exceeds 60 days, I would get only 25%. This would never be told by any executives of Sterling. I want to take a legal action against Sterling Holidays for whatever they have done to me and I need to get the refund of 36383/- back from them. Anyone can get in touch with me on mail gpn.[protected]@gmail.com if need be.

Also, my suggestion to all is please DONT EVER TAKE HOLIDAY MEMBERSHIP WITH STERLING HOLIDAYS. They are cheaters.

I have below given all the phone numbers I had interacted with.

Vikas Reddy - [protected]
Madhu (Office number[protected]/3
Customer care[protected]