Letters to the Editor sent to Times of India, The - Club Mahindra Cheats!! by Sheril Mathew

Dear Editor: This is regarding the Club Mahindra memberships. I wanted to check out various Honeymoon packages being offered by travel agencies, so walked into the Club Mahindra outlet at R-Mall, Mulund (West) on 10th August 2008. I sat through the entire presentation for 45 minutes patiently where Aryan, their executive explained me all the details of their plan. It all sounded very exciting and very user friendly. I had to  pay around 3 lac for 25 years membership and would get 7 days of holidays (domestic or international) every year. But they didn't explain many of the hidden costs there. Slowly by the end of the presentation, newer costs started appearing, which practically took the membership fees to more than 7 lacs for 25 years. 
     Still I agreed to go ahead with the plan thinking 7 days of holiday for 25 years for 7 lacs is still a steal looking at the quality of hotel stay they provide or rather claim to provide. I paid the initial signing amount of Rs 37,000/- by credit card and had to pay the remaining by EMI.     
   But it was only after reaching home and researching a lot on the internet (Which I Regret I didn't do before) did I come to know what a fraud this Organization is. every review I read was negative. the following points were observed. 
1) They have more members than resorts.
2) The resorts are always overbooked and you never manages to get a booking.
3) Most of the rooms in the resorts are open to booking  for non-Mahindra members.
4) The holiday category I was given didn't entitle me for holidays in peak season (Read Oct, Dec-Jan, Mar-May).
5) The resorts are far away from the cities and the only mode of transport in the Club Mahindra vehicle which is exorbitant, so is the food at the resort.
       Because of these factors, I decided to pull out of the membership deal. As per their terms and clauses, any person withdrawing membership within the 10 day recession period is entitled to a full refund within 30 days. I asked for a copy of  the terms booklet which they said will be mailed to me only after 20 days (10 days after the recession period is over). I insisted on a copy and they gave me one reluctantly. I had written to club mahindra as per the requirement for the membership cancellation on 11th August 2008. I got a reply stating that someone would like to get in touch with me to speak about the same. I insisted that I do not wish to speak to anyone and want the money refunded. They kept sending mails with promises that some one from the member relations would get in touch 
       Today, it is the 15th of OCTOBER (more than 60 days). Let alone receiving the money I put in, They have not been able to give me a single call, nor has any of their executives met me. This is really frustrating after I have sent almost a dozen mails requesting on the status of the cancellation. The organization a cheating people and their service is pathetic. 
    My hope of getting the hard earned Rs 37,000 hangs on thin threads precariously. All I can do is wait. I am writing this mail in sheer desperation hoping that Times will publish this matter and is able to get the attention of the higher authorities at Club Mahindra.
Thanks and Regards.
Read Letters to the Editor sent to Times of India, The - Club Mahindra Cheats!! by Sheril Mathew
