Beware . Review on Indiatodaybookclub

I never thought that a well established group like India Today would stoop to such levels and resort to mis-representations and cheating for their business. I thought that my case was an exception - an error and not a routine but when I googled "India today book club", I was shocked to see the large number of people who have been fooled and cheated by India today book club. My experience is as under -

Inspite of making numerous complaints, I have not received any response from India Today Book Club, NOR HAVE I RECEIVED THE ASSURED PURCHASES, FREE GIFTS AND THE PRIZE I AM SUPPOSED TO HAVE WON ON 11/2/2010.

On 11.2.2010, I had received call from some representative of India Today Book Club (who named himself as ANIL SHARMA), informing me that since my earlier purchased International Holiday Vouchers were about to expire on 15.2.2010, and I had no time to use them therefore, I was being given an opportunity to purchase something else and get the price of those vouchers adjusted therein. I was given many options to purchase, namely - Philips 17" LCD Screen, Philips Home Theatre, Kodak Digital Camera(Model No. M-380), Samsung Camera (Model ES17), Samsung Mobile Phone (Model Star 5233), Samsung Mobile Phone (Model S5560) and HTC Mobile Phone (Model 3470).

The caller informed that with all of these purchases, I would be getting free gifts such as Reebok Track Suits, Reebok Watch, Swatch Watch, Domestic Hoilday Vouchers with or without air tickets as well as gold jewelry ranging from Rs. 15, 000/- to Rs. 35, 000/-. He explained that with all other purchases, the jewellery is gold plated but with the HTC phone, the jewellery would be REAL GOLD worth Rs. 35, 000/-. He also told that if I made two purchases, my name would be entered in a Limited Lucky Draw where the prizes included Laptops of Apple/Dell etc., Cash Prizes as well as Real Gold jewellery worth Rs. 70, 000/-.

The caller (the said Anil Sharma) called me thrice on my Mobile Number  that day i.e. 11/2/2010 between 11.00 A.M. to 2.30 P.M. and gave detailed explanations including details of assured prizes. Taken in by his words and also the name of India Today, I made the following two purchases on that day, using my credit card on their secured tele-system, namely :-

1. HTC MObile Phone Model 3470 for Rs. 17, 298/- (with 3 assured free gifts namely, Swatch Watch worth Rs. 17, 000/-, Return Tickets for 2(TWO) persons anywhere in the country without any ceiling and thirdly, Pure Gold Jewellery worth Rs. 35, 000/-);

2. Kodak Digital Camera Model No. M380 for rs. 9, 498/- ( with 3 assured gifts namely, Rebok Wrist watch worth, Gold Plated jewellery worth Rs. 25000/-, and Holiday Package with 3 air tickets ach subject to limit of Rs. 7, 000/-).

However, till date that is even after one month, I have not received the Air Tickets and Gold Jewellery Vouchers for the First Purchase and I have not received any item of the Second Purchase i.e. I have neither received the Kodak camera nor the free gifts. The same caller had called me around 7.00 P.M. on the same day i.e. 11.2.2010 and told me that I have won Pure Gold Jewelry worth   Rs. 70, 000/- but I am yet to receive any vouchers for the said jewelry also.

I made complaints on the given telephone number 011-40502424 and was told that I should send e-mail giving details of the purchases along with the First Four and Last Four Digits of my Credit Card and that I would get a response within 48 hours. I sent mail on 2nd followed with reminders, but am yet to receive any response whatsoever. My Bank's statement received by me shows that both the above purchases have been made on 11.2.2010 from "Living Media In DELHI" but I am yet to receive the purchased assured goods. Thus, I have been duped by their misrepresentations and now they are rubbing salt by not havng the decency to even respond to my e-mails or phone calls.

So, I would request other people to please beware of India Today Book Club and not get fooled by their calls and assurances.