[Resolved]  Lifecell International — Babycord duo: crm no :[protected]

Address:	Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 400051
Website:	www.lifecell.in

My son was born on 16th October, 2013 in Mumbai. Lifecell's Mumbai team completely messed up the collection of samples. Someone was initially deputed to collect the sample, who did not bother to show up. At the last moment some alternate person was deputed after frantic calls and follow up from my side but she reached quite late. We were not very sure what samples she had collected. I tried to follow up with the Mumbai team after this but there was no response from them. I guess, once they got the money, they were not bothered much!

I wanted to follow up further but then I received the initial report from Lifecell which said that "Maternal blood sample stored". So, I thought may be all is well and I need not worry. Thereafter I did not bother to check this with Lifecell due to the initial bitterness and also thinking everything was alright.

I just happened to go through the old mails about 3 months back and suddenly realised that my son's preservation certificate mentioned only about the cord tissue! So, I got the agreement copies out and called up to understand the matter. Their technical representative Swathi told me that the cord blood was never stored!

Now there is no explanation for:

1. When I requested, agreed and paid for storage of both blood and tissue, why the non-storage of blood was not specifically intimated to me?

2. When Lifecell didn't store blood then why didn't they refund the proportionate amount of money? Are they just taking chance that the customer doesn't ask and they keep it?

We have anyway lost the opportunity to store the cord blood after falling for Lifecell's big promises! I hoped that at least now they will be honest enough to go through the facts and refund the money.

It has already been 3 months since I started interacting with them for the refund. I have talked to their payment processing team as well and they had admitted that refund is due. They asked me to send my bank details for online transfer and I have provided it 2 months back. Since then more follow ups and still no word on the refund. Today also I tried to call someone called Mr.Karthikeyan, who is in charge of the payment team (as informed by Swathi) but he did not even pick up the call! How much can anyone follow up with everyone in the company for an admitted refund!! I guess, that's their policy! Now I'm also not sure if they actually preserve anything at all as they promise if their business practices are so corrupt!

Swathi is supposed to get back to me within an hour of my last call to her and 1 hour is already over - as has been the case almost always! I'm fed up now and posting my grievance online and now I'm also going to file a complaint on Department of Consumer Affairs online portal.

Please be aware of what you get into once you pay them the money.