A consumer disputes redressal forum here has directed Country Club India to compensate a complainant by paying ₹1 lakh after it made “false promises” regarding membership.
It was alleged that despite paying the membership amount, the complainant was unable to avail services against it.
The consumer panel said: “The holiday gift vouchers in the name of the complainant would in fact spill all the beans and demonstrate as to how lofty promises were made by the club and rosy pictures were shown to trap hapless customers.”
Gift vouchers
It added: “The contents of gift vouchers are designed in such a way that any credulous person may fall prey to them. The scheme of club and gift vouchers would clearly show as to how the innocent people are trapped in the net. The club has failed to provide the facilities promised to the complainant and therefore amounted to unfair trade practice.” The directions came when complainant Rajesh Mehta alleged that after payment of the membership amount, he was informed of clauses different from what was promised initially.
“They came to know that they were eligible for only one studio room instead of the promised two rooms and could take only two children below 12 years, whereas they had already given the age of three grown-up children to go for a family vacation,” the consumer forum observed.
However, Country Club contended that the complaint was filed to “extract money” and seek a refund of the membership fee, which according to the agreement was non-refundable.
Dismissing the contentions put forth by the club, the consumer panel awarded a sum of ₹30,000 for harassment, apart from the refund of ₹70,000 membership fee.
