Aug 03, 2013 01:54 PM
7966 Views
On Sep 2, 2012 I booked Kingfisher round trip. Details are as follows:
(i) Mumbai to Chandigarh, Oct 18, 2012 at 11.15 am
(ii) Chandigarh to Mumbai, Oct 21, 2012 at 2.10 pm
The total amount I paid through Internet Banking was Rs 7, 430/- The operations of the airlines were suspended before my date of journey, which was a nation wide story in all the leading news channels.
Steps taken by me:
I called the toll free number given on the website and I was assured that even if the flight has been cancelled I would get my refund in 7 working days.
I waited for 10 days and since I didn't get the refund I called the toll free number again. They again told me that refund has been processed from their end and advised me to wait for another 15 days.
Again after waiting for the refund, I called the same number. They again assured me that my money will be given back to me.
Meanwhile, I sent a couple of complaints through online complaint forum of the Kingfisher website. Eversince, no reply has come.
By then, the toll free numbers and all the landline numbers of the airlines had stopped functioning ('temporarily out of service')
After two months or so, I decided to personally visit the Head Office at Marol, Andheri (E), Mumbai on a weekday.
There a got in touch with Mr. Rodney (if I remember the name correctly) and told him the entire story.
On asking the reason of not getting through phones he replied that our telephone service providers has discontinued our services. He also told me that salaries of employees are not being paid. He said there is an issue with the bank and so payment is actually being blocked by the bank and not Kingfisher per say.
After all this he said our Chairman is 'very positive' that the situation will be under control!
I told him that your company cannot pay your telephone bill and bank dues etc. and you are still 'very positive'!
He took my contact details, wrote it in a diary and he told that he will get in touch with me, which he till date hasn't.
In all, I had got all signs that my hard earned money has been looted by the airlines. Mr. Rodney explained to me that the nature of airline business is such that today's collection of funds even for advance bookings goes for running today's operations. 'I don't care', I replied.
Consequences faced:
Mental stress caused due to calling the airlines again and again and each time telling the entire story via phone and online complaint forum.
Economic loss both direct and indirect. Direct because I have not got my refund since 11 months. Indirect, because I had to re-book the tickets for the trip at the last moment at a very high price.
