Zest Breaks Complaints & Reviews

I had signed off on the application for Zest Membership on 12th March 2011, Buzz season. I chose the "DP at 15%" payment option, and after availing a so-called "Rs.10000 cash discount" option which was valid only for that day, i ended up signing on a cheque for amount Rs.5765. The main reason and the only condition for me taking this decision was that the sales exec. who had approached me promised me a bonus holiday in Ooty, at Zest Danish Villa, check-in on 22nd April 2011 and check-out on 24th April 2011. However, it was also conveyed to me that even though the rooms are blocked on my name, i would get the confirmation only after realization of the first 2 EMIs. I took her word for once and promptly gave her a cheque with 2 EMI amounts together, dated 7th April 2011.

On Saturday, 26 March 2011, i got a Welcome call from Zest. After the lady went on to explain all the payments that i have to make along the line during the next 10 years, she also promptly told me that my bonus holiday in Ooty is still blocked and i will get the confirmation after realization of the 2 EMIs cheque.

On Saturday, 9th April 2011, since i had not received any update from Zest's side, i decided to call up your customer care to check the status on my cheque and the holiday in Ooty. To my shock i found from the customer care person - Ms. Nalini - that my block has not been renewed after 7th of April, and as it stands i dont have a room in Ooty for the desired dates.

Later on the same day - 9th April, i visited your Bangalore office in Cunningham Road. There, to my utter disbelief and grief, i found that all this while "they had planned" a vacation for me in Kodaikkanal instead of Ooty. There was no room in Ooty blocked on my name. They gave the reason that wrong information from the sales exec. got this mess started. But then i remember the Welcome call wherein i was assured of my bonus hoilday in Ooty. For me not an individual, but the whole Zest breaks and perhaps the parent concern - Mahindra - is guilty o[censored]nprofessional conduct.

The only thing on my mind was to get out of this. When i enquired with the Bangalore office, it appeared that the down payment amount will not be refunded, and I heard one Mr. Suresh telling that the ECS mandate form signed by me has already been sent to corporate office. This meant i needed to cover myself from more losses. I soon stopped payment on the cheque dated 7th April 2011 through my bank, and the bank informed me that, in order to stop the ECS, i need to get a letter from Mahindra Holidays to void the ECS that i have already signed.

Since i have not used any of their services apart from logging into the online web portal (www.zestbreaks.com), i would like to terminate my membership with immediate effect, and draft a legally binding letter which voids the ECS, and return the down payment amount already encashed by Mahindra Holidays, in full.

SEKAR Deenathayalu" <[protected]@rediffmail.com> | Add to Address book |This is spam



To: <[protected]@zestbreaks.com>


Subject: Zest Membership ID[protected] Retun my money Back


Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2010 14:15:49 IST


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Dear Ms Sai


Further ref to the telecon(.) had with you today morning (29.12.10) regarding return back my advance amount pais whih is huge amount for me...

I had communicate all my displeasure of not continuing with you and requested to return back my money very immeidate call recived from your for confirming my personal details (around 24th october 2010) and there after .. i had requested on various occasion over phone to Mr Ankit and your call centre-customer relations as well as Mr thiyagrajan of Pondy Sales rep of your zest.

But inspite of all this you had forwarded the Membership allotment letter dated 04.11.2010...as the allotment was effected from 22.10.10 to 21.10. 2020....Before getting this lettr i had communicated my (non - interenst/displeasure) thro various letters and calls (ref.. all my previous mails)..Before sending your allotment letter as ell as during the confirmation call i had declined my interest /displeasure not to continue with this scheme as well as requested to refund my money which i had paid on various occasion (ICICI Chq no:112252 for Rs., 7765/- dt 22.09.10 , Via Citi bank Card Rs 36,785/- dt 30.09.10 + Citi card Rs 8758 1st Nov)

Inspite of my repeated reminders and request i could not get any possitive reply /nor my money from your end ...as on today

Hope Mahindra is an reputed organistion and will condier the genuine request of of people in a appropriate way ...

Hope to get an possitive reply from you end at the earliest

With Regards
D,SEKAR
Pondicherry
605111
[protected]
[protected]

1. My membership number with Mahindra Zest is 91006242 , Season : BUZZ & Membership period is from 01/05/2010 to 30/04/2020
2. I am dissatisfied with the services and hence wanted to terminate it with immediate effect.
3. I instructed my wife and she spoke to Ms. Jevitha customer care executive reference (No. 157848) on 30th Nov.2010 that I would like to cancel my membership with Mahindra Zest and kindly instruct my bank to immediately stop any further payments to zest.
4. Based on the input from the customer care executive I sent a mail to '[protected]@zestbreaks.com' on 1 dec'10 with reasons of dissatisfaction and quoting the above reference number. Same day I got an acknowledgement from Ms P Sasikala 'Reference no=157-962' saying my complaint would be redressed within 3 working days.
5. Inspite of several reminders on mail no body from mahindra zest has contacted me. Also they have continued deducting EMI in month of Dec'10 and Jan'11 which I consider as cheating me. I have instucted to My Bank HDFC on 15 Dec'10 to stop ECS which also not happened till now, Where-as as per agrement signed with Mahindra zest either party can stop the ECS with immediate effect.

I have not availed any holidays/ services where as zest has deducted Rs 79740/- as EMI and another annual fee of Rs 4379 for the year. So request Mahindra Zest to refund the entire amount to me thru my HDFC SB account on which the ECS is processed.

Biju George
[protected]

Dear Sir/ Madam,

This is to bring to your notice that I have a membership of ZEST - A Mahindra company for vacation on time sharing basis. I have paid all my fees while the company has failed to provide any services as promised. Here are few points that I would like to bring to your notice.

1. While taking membership, there are lot of promises made, which are never fulfilled. e.g. I was very particular that I have visited all the locations except Yercaud and was particurly interested in other locations. I was given a lot of promise about company expansion plan and resorts at several other locations around India. However, there is no expansion plan even after almost 1.5 years of membership. When I particularly called the marketing guys for discussion, the reason I was told was due to recession. Did they reduce my membership charges due to recession. As a member, I hold the right to be informed of the company's change in polies, growth etc. Was I ever informed? This certainly doesn't build trust in the organization.

2. Till date, there are only 4-5 destinations. How long can someone go with so very limited options?

3. Once when I was interested in visiting Yercaud,I was told to wait for 4 months for the booking. Such long queues look unusual and not practical. I think if that is the case, the timeline for booking also should have been informed or documented in the clauses. The org is prompt in putting the non-refund for cancellation in the agreement, but not the service details.

4. I also learnt that the yercaud property doesn't belong to them. It was indeed disgusting to know. Again, I would have expected to be aware of such things as the members believe that all the properties belong to ZEST (at least thats the impression that I was given, and if that's not true, yet it should be documented somewhere. Members tend to fall prey to 1-2 hours of councelling session to take the membership, any of which is not provided in written agreement.)

There are many a few, but I would restrict to here. As I have told earlier, this org doesn't inspire any trust at all and I wouldn't like to continue any further with ZEST. I would like nothing but reimbursement of my membership fee. As I have mentioned earlier, I have no trust left on the company and I dont want to continue my association. I seek your help to get the complete refund of the amount that I have paid towards membership.

-Thanks

This is in reference to the fraudulent behavior of the sales executive for Mahindra Holidays and tacit support from the branch in the same.

Looking at the whole sequence (descried below in detail) of events, I am wondering if the company is meekly supporting its sales executive in somehow meeting their sales targets. I have always had a high regards for the Mahindra Club over many other clubs, but this experience has left me with a bitter taste.

If the company still bothered about its image and really stands by its commitment to the customer I request the company to return my money and take action again Mr. Chandranshu for cheating innocent customers.

Thanks
Priyank


======================================
Sequence of Events (in chronological order):
======================================

25th September 2009
================
 Mr Chandranshu came to my house to make a presentation on the Zest. He explained to me few points about the concept.
 He also offered me a one time special discount of 5000/- for a down payment.
 He also promised a 2N/3D try-out vacation at any of the location.
 Upon enquiring if I can avail this on 2nd Oct Weekend he confirmed yes it can be easily done.
 He also suggested that I can give the signing payment of approx 7000 and then use the try-out vacation. In case I don’t like the experience I can cancel the membership after that.
 He also told me that I can opt for the EMIs to start after the Bonus try out. He said that in fact I can opt for the EMIs to start after 2-3 months also if right now I’m facing any financial difficulties.
 I still have all the paper sheets which he used for explaining me. My mother and my wife were also present when he presented this.
 I asked for 2-3 days time to think over this but he was pressuring me to buy it the same time. However I did not agree and told him to discuss again after 2-3 days


29th September 2009
================
 On 29th Mr Chandranshu called me again. I told him that the only time I can go and do a try out now will be the coming long weekend as I wont be free after that for a long time. He told me that he’ll ensure that I can go to any of the Zest locations on the coming long weekend (2/3/4 Oct)
 He apparently checked with his senior and called again after some time confirming that the bookings are available and then told me that he wants to come in the evening.
 In the evening he proposed an additional 2000/- discount and an additional 1D+1N “from his side” over the existing 2N/3D try-out vacation.
 In front of my whole family (me, my wife and my parents) he again and again insisted that the bookings are available and that I should sign up ASAP if I want to try this weekend. I asked him if he could confirm the booking so that I can make the payment. He mentioned that the bookings are available and that for confirmation he needs a member name which can only happen when I give the initial down payment. He apparently called up someone at the office again to check the availability.
 Considering that I was getting a chance to try out before making heavy commitments I agreed to try it out by signing up the form at the places where he told me.
 He also took an imprint of my credit card and took my signature. I told him that I want to start the EMIs from January only after I would have tried out vacations and also I would have some financial cushion. He asked me to leave the dates blank as that can be filled when I am fully satisfied only.

30th September & 1st October 2009
============================
 On 30th night he called me telling that since he reached office late day before he could not get the booking and now all of sudden all the bookings are gone. And that he is still trying.
 On 1st since I did not get any call from his side till afternoon I called him up to ask about the status. He told me that he could not get any booing and that he is very sorry for that. He also said that he’ll make sure that I get to use the try-out package and the next weekend. When I told him that the coming weekend wont be possible due to official commitment, he said I can any coming weekend till next 3 months and that the offer will be valid for 3 months. He asked me my preference for the weekend; I told him that I would look into the possible dates and then get back next week.



7th, 8th and 9th October 2009
======================
 I got an SMS from Citibank at night that I have been charged 11XXX/-. I assumed that the discount which was promised to me has not been give and I have been charged full down payment.
 On 8th the customer care person called me to give me a welcome note, at onset itself I told him that there has been a gross miscommunication and that I have been charged more than I was promised. He promised to look into it
 Later in the day Mr Chandranshu called and explained to me that it’s the EMI which has started. I confronted with him that the EMI was supposed to start from Jan10 and how come it has been charged. He told me that it is a mistake and that he’ll get it corrected. I told him that I don’t have a good feeling about the whole episode where there are wrong promises (booking promised when there was none available) and frauds (EMIs starting immediately when I told him to start from Jan10 and which he had agreed to) and that I want to withdraw from this. He argued with me and tried to convince me to stay on by apologizing for the EMI part and by promising the try-out vacation whenever I want. However I was insistent and finally he said he’ll look into this and do the necessary.
 However I did not receive any communication from him for next 2 days.

9th October 2009
==============
 I received the welcome kit in the morning while leaving for the office.
 On 9th Mr Chandranshu called again asking me to please continue the package. I asked if he could make sure that the EMI is refunded back and that it starts only in Jan10. He said that will not be possible as the finance people control it and it is not in his hands. He started the same discussion which we had had 2 days back. Finally I did not agree and insisted on canceling the membership. I told him that today only I received the welcome kit and that I did not even receive the terms & conditions and any other details of the membership.

11th October 2009
==============
 I went thru the welcome letter in detail at night and was shocked to see the conflicts between what I was promised and what was written. The notable differences were:
1. Only weekend in a year, although I wasn’t told about it.
2. The complimentary 2N/3D vacation is valid only for a month and too only on weekdays.
3. The ASF needs to be paid even though I may not use the property. I was told that the ASF need to be paid only if I use the property
4. The EMI will start immediately, where as Mr. Chandranshu said it will start from Jan10.
5. There is a
 On 12th morning I tried calling up Mr Chandranshu but he was not reachable. So I sent him a mail to cancel the membership ASAP.
 However I did not get any communication from him till 13th.
 Following which I searched for the Customer care contacts and forwarded the mail to them. I received a normal acknowledgement mail from them that they are concerned and someone will talk to me.
 The following day Mr Chandranshu called again telling me that he got a lead from the CC to talk to me. He mentioned that the cancellation was not possible and that the refund can happen only if I pay full membership money (~80K). To which I straight away said that this does not sound logical to me and I will not make any further payments. I told him that I need the membership to be cancelled and the money to be refunded back ASAP. After some arguments the call ended.
27th October 2009
==============
 For next 2 weeks I tried to call the Call center and apprise them of the request and seeking some action but nothing really happened.
 I kept getting mixed confusing responses from the customer care reps and Mr Chandranshu. None of them could explain me what is happeing on my request and how long will it take.

Current Status
============
 I wasn’t explained in detail of these terms on the pretext that I’ll be getting a copy anyways which I can refer to. I wasn’t even given a copy of the terms and conditions. Till date I have not received a copy of the terms and conditions.
 I was made false promises which were not supported by the policy and hence could not be kept.
 I haven’t heard anything from Zest (or any of its representatives) about my request.
 I have already been charged a sum of ~16K for no reason. (Out of this the 11K was against the way I consented it to be)
 I still have all the documents and the mails exchanges with me.

I took the membership in Oct 2008 and the company representative sold this to me with lot of features and advantage o[censored]sing the ZM holidays. They said that the customer can take short breaks during weekends and the booking can be done 24 hrs in advance, 20% discount on food & beverages. 5 more destinations, etc. Also at any point of time i can cancel but the company will charge 4000/night. They even provided with a 2 day complimentary stay and if i am not happy with the services, i can cancel the membership, upon which the amount paid till then will be refunded (deducting 4k/night stay). But they went ahead and started charging the EMI from my credit card, even before i took the complimentary 2 nights. When i booked for my first & second holiday they said that i can take only one weekend in a year.
When i apporached the company representative for cancellation, they said that the amount will not be refunded and also will not be able to take the remaining holiday i am eligible. They said it is clearly stated in the Key Information document, which was not given to me till date. They have only 5 properties out of which one in Yercaud is a tie up where you are treated as if they are giving you free of cost. They dont give any discount on food & beverages in yercaud. Overall based on my experience it is not worth for the money you pay and also you need to plan your holiday as per their conveneince.

This is with reference to the fraudulent behavior from the members of sales team of Zest Mahindra holidays(Bangalore). Two guys inlcuding Ravi visited my office during February 2009 to sell the membership of Zest Mahindra holidays to me. I did not find the offering worth considering and rejected the offer.

I was cajoled with a free test stay in their resort in Pondicherry to test the Resort to stay and then decide if the offer was worthwhile. They insisted me to take the test stay and decide on the matter while also aloingside offering me the membership at a discounted rate if satisfied which is getting over on the same day and hence with the intention to tentatively block the offer in my name they insisted that they will need to fill the form with my card details and personal information.

Ravi promised me that they will not log in the applications until i confirm my interest in becoming a member post the Test Stay. (I would like to bring to your notice that they took my credit card and entered its details in the form on the pretext of administrative procedure to log an application- again they assured me that it was only to tentatively block the membership and they will not login the application without my acceptance of the offer).

After my test stay I conveyed to the concerned that I do not want the membership since it restricted stay to one weekend in the year and was expensive. I was suprised to see a agreement and membership card delivered to my residence for the lowest level of membership of some "Pep" membership, sometime in March but actually received by me in end March since I was travelling in that period and not available at Bangalore.

When I checked My account I was shocked to see a transaction in my credit card statement dated 18/2/2009 for an amount of Rs 7, 000 Charges claimed by Mahindra Holidays and i raised a dispute against it since I was not informed on the same.

Ravi again met me promising upgrade of membership to the next level from "Pep" to "Buzz" at the same cost. He also promised to provide extra free nights, food coupons and cash to compensate for the wrong charges charged as detailed earlier and get a confirmation of more than one wekend stay on record in writing from his authorised signatory. He asked me to sign some forms for the upgrade and agreed to get back to me within two days. For the next one week he kept postponing meetings once again till I went out of town on 3rd April to return on 13th April. When I called him to enquire again he conveyed that he is medically unfit and will not be able to meet for a week and will come a meet me. Subsequently he avaoided calls till I went on a vacation on 24th April to return only on 9th May.

While making payment of my card in early May to my shock I found that my card has been debited twice again on 13/04/2009 and 2/05/2009 for an amount of Rs.2427. My card was never swiped nor i had signed on the merchant copy. I called Ravi who reported sick and put me on to his manager Gunashekhar who came and met me promising to revert and refund the money in two days and stopped responding after 3-4 days. I called him several times to realise that all of them are playing fraud with me till today.

Looking at the scenario and the repute of Mahindra holidays, i am requesting the Company to refund the monies charged wrongfully to me end the dispute. Looking into the fraudulent sales behavior it is important that the company of Club Mahindra Repute takes effective measures and saves its repute tarnished by such fraudsters working in their sales teams.

The only alternative I have is to question the credentials of such manipulations and that of the company supporting it in the Consumer forums and media.

I was surprised to see many other similar complaints loged by several people where the same fraud has been done with them.

I request you to take a strict action agains Mr. Ravi and Guna Shekar and to advice your sales team not to resort to such fraudulent methods to full fill their sales targets.

Thanking you
Ashwini Kumar
[protected]
V.P (Sales Process and productivity)
ING Life Insurance Ltd.

sir
i have working in inx media on contarc in zest facility services pvt ltd last 16 month but still i am not get my p.f. number and monthly salary slip please help me because this zest facility cutting p.f. amount and not give us for every security guard The zest facility addrest is 5 bhanushali building 35.mint road mumbai 400001 phone no[protected]






Thank you sir

Dear sir,

This is with reference to the fraudulent behavior from the members of sales team of Zest Mahindra holidays(Bangalore) "Mr. Sham and Mr. Ashok ". Both of them Visited my office during the month of December 2008 (or end of November 2008) to sell the membership of Zest Mahindra holidays to me, after listening to the concept i told them that my business is related to Tourism services, i am privileged to visit many such locations as a part of the fam tours organized by resorts apart form my frequent traveling patterns and would not be interested in the membership. Both of them insisted that i look at the business perspective of it and asked me to take some time and decide on the matter, at the same time they said they will be able to offer me the membership at a discounted rate and in the back dated scheme (pertinent to the month of October - the membership scheme had already ended by then and it was a limited offer extended to me as mentioned by them) and hence with the intention to tentatively block the offer in my name they insisted that they will need to fill the form with my card details and personal information along with the my signatures. Both of them promised me that they will not log in the applications until i confirm my interest in becoming a member. (i would like to bring to your notice that they took my credit card and entered its details in the form- again they assured me that it was only to tentatively block the back dated membership and they will not login the application without my acceptance).

Approximately after a month or so, i was shocked to see a transaction in my credit card statement dated 31/12/08 (probably the last date for their sale target for the year 2008) for an amount of Rs 6, 750 Charges claimed by Mahindra Holidays and i raised a dispute against it. the Bank has responded with the merchant copy of the statement which has my signatures forged on it (as my card was never swiped nor i had signed on the merchant copy).

Looking at the scenario and the repute of Mahindra holidays and my existing relationship with Club Mahindra as a travel agent, i am requesting you to revert back the money charged to me end the dispute. In view of such fraudulent behaviors i suggest the company takes effective measures and saves its repute, the alternate way of resolving the dispute will be to question the credentials of such mechanisms and company involved in the Media and the Consumer forums.

I request on a swift action in this matter and to advice your sales team not to resort to such fraudulent methods to full fill their sales targets.


With Best Regards,

Hari Krishna N
[protected]
F5 Events and Services Pvt Ltd
#55, 1st floor, Railway parallel road, Kumara park west,
Bangalore :- 560020
www.f5services.com
Ph:[protected]
Fax:[protected]

Dear Sir/ Madam,

I am a member of Zest breaks. I have am paying the Zest as EMI, autopayment from my Credit Card.

While taking the membership, i had refered a friend, for whom i had made the payment through my Credit Card. This friend also had given his Credit Card number for making the rest of the payment through EMI.

But, Zest is not taking the money from his Credit Card, instead is taking the money from my Credit Card.

I have made several complaints to Zest, but there is no proper response from them about clearing this issue. I had to in the end block my Credit Card, so that they do not take any payment from me.

I am writing to this board hoping that some one will tell me whom to complain for this.
How should i make this complaint? What ever money has been taken by Zest, will i get back that money?
Can comeone give me the Link or address for writing to the Comsumer Court?

Please reply back in the following mail ID:
[protected]@rediffmail.com
or
[protected]@yahoo.com

Thanking you.

Regards,
Deepa