Why so many complaints against dis klub? The industry is still in its infancy & the govt has no clear rules. I decided to review the Country Club & their extortionist practices after checking

the previous reviews. I formed this opinion after meeting two salesmen, one at home & one at a friend’s home. Both had different opinions to give about the same offers! Even the rates were totally different.

Firstly let me give you what they offer. Each city has its own specific offers. The offers of Hyderabad may not match the offers in Bangalore. Memberships available for Bangalore - Gold Crown Premium Life, Gold Crown Premium Super Life, Mr. Cool, Mr Cool Global, Super Cool Global (with a plot in Lonavla), Single Club Membership, Super Cool, Super Cool Global, Gold Crown Premium (with land in Country Kuteeram or Tumkur). Below are a few points worth noting-

They solely overcharge members. If you are a non member, you benefit at a cheaper price. I mean cheaper. Simply because you don’t pay Country club any additional money for their growth. My friends have stated that they get outright extortion threats otherwise, the membership ends. That’s for you to decide. So once you are a member, you are hooked. You start paying small amounts to save the big amount!

The holiday packages are never to your satisfaction. Either you get an unwanted destination of their choice or you pay more than what is otherwise. It costs more for their basic package then what you pay. Suppose you pay an annual membership fee of 2000. A package to Goa from Blore costs 6000 under their tariffs. (The basic plan) So you actually pay 2000 more for a tour which otherwise costs a non member 6000 anyways. (The food is also substandard at the hotels forcing you to eat out most times)  For any additional privileges it costs under 11000 (like pickup & drop from the Dabolim airport, welcome drink and tickets to dance) which you don’t get in case you are a member. So what’s the point of a club membership?

I realize that the maximum number of scapegoats for this scheme are from Bangalore. About 25 % of Countrywide’s revenues are from Blore (25 of 100 Crores as admitted at their homepage http://www.countryvacationsindia.com) They are targeting the S/W professionals in Blore & Hyderabad, as they are most susceptible (& least likely to seek legal recourse). Especially the few who think that getting a club membership is a privilege.

Please leave aside the stated ‘privileges’ for a minute and think if it’s worth. If you have excess money growing in your backyard, then there are a few charity organizations or if you prefer to invest, you have funds, shares, derivatives, whatnots. If you prefer to still throw your money, contact me.

It’s a simple deal. You pay, they grow. & you continue paying for their growth & superficial service. I call it superficial & unwanted since its not a necessity but commercialized leisure. (Like buying Gold for Akshaya Trithiya. Do you know that it’s wheat - a sign of prosperity, not gold?) Here are a few questions which the chairman needs to answer. If you can answer even one, then you go in for the membership.

The choice of hotel destinations is second rate. The food is average. But one major complaint. A trip to Goa to one of their substandard hotels and you will know why. That is a real substandard hotel. And their international hotspot in Bangalore is worse than any budget hotels. Do they actually promise any tourist hotels (Only Amrutha Castle is good) outside of Hyderabad which can be called that?

a. Why should they decide where you need to holiday after you are a member? Doesn’t it limit your choice of tourist destinations while also increasing the costs of the package? As a non member you have no such limitations.

b. Why are members paying more for basic holidays when the total cost for a non member is much lesser? Any non member can avail the facilities at cheaper costs than a member at any of their locations (An astounding percentage of members want refunds based on a honest chat with one of the salesmen)

c. Why substandard hotels? Especially a few developed by others & run by Country wide as a Time share concept. (Happy Homes had offered me a similar piece of land near Anekal)

d. Why do membership rates between different locations vary? S’pose you purchase a membership at Hyderabad & then move to Bangalore, your renewal charges are much higher. Also you are limited to a minimum 5 visits only. Any additional will be charged according to ‘seasonal rates’.

The fine print in the brochure

e. Only spouse, children of members below age group of 18 years are entitled to membership cards & no other is entitled to it. If I have a son/daughter above 18 years, why do I need to pay for them separately?

f. Only Courts of Secunderabad/Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India will have jurisdiction in any disputes. If I have purchased an offer in Bangalore for a club in Bangalore, why should I go to Hyderabad for legal recourse? As the transaction was carried out in Bangalore limits, the High courts of Bangalore would be applicable (Also as the head office is in Bangalore) Even otherwise it is against government rules to stipulate such rules. If you are doing business in Bombay, then your Bombay office would have to respond to any summons from the Bombay High court. Or are you planning to make your own rules? You are answerable to every Court including every PIL and consumer court as you are practicing a business which comes under their purview.

g. I understand nominal charges are payable for facilities availed at times at every club. But a nominal charge to avail even the free tourist destination which anyways ain’t free? The announcements are made 3 days to a week prior to closing the offer. By the time the mail reaches members, the offer is not available.

h. The insurance cover on offer I realize is for any accidents/deaths arising within the club, not anywhere else. If you in any case want to renew your insurance cover within the club, then prepare to pay an additional premium which is not included in the annual subscription. This is an additional cost more intended to subsidize their costs, not yours.

i. The land offer at various destinations - Hindupur, Lonavla, Tumkur & outskirts of Bangalore are in the middle of nowhere. Do you have any use for the land other than developing it as a timeshare concept?

Get in writing the offer details before you make a deal. Insist on it with all the terms of the deal you negotiate. That way, you have legal sanction!

Other than this, other reviews at MS seem to point to outright forgery by the Club, no refunds in case you want to cancel your membership, random increase to price agreed & … Personally, I think till the govt steps in, these freelance looters will continue the extortions.

Whom to contact if you have any grouses - A few in the previous reviews have provided their phone #s if u want a collective decision to reduce litigation costs. Also, any consumer forum, legal counsel, any of the courts within your jurisdiction, not their jurisdiction. Make them answerable anywhere in India!

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