Hi Admin,

I am Suraj. I want to file a complaint in the consumer court on Highland Holiday homes (Travel package). Till now, I really don't know how to proceed with this problem. Later I have found this forum in the Internet. Early I was in Bangalore, and got transferred to Chennai four months back.

Nearly two years ago, a marketing executive from Highland holiday homes contacted me and said, my mobile no. has been selected in the lucky draw and he called me for collecting my free gift. During that meeting the marketing executive said, they are offering a holiday package of worth 70, 000/- to just 17, 500/- (21 days) as a promotional offer. He has assured me that I would be offered 3 star hotels for my package throughout India. Initially I was not interested to buy that package. But he said I have to pay just around 830/- per day for four people staying in a 3 star hotel (no extra charges). So, I thought its really worth to buy this package (I am not at all aware of these people's tricks at that time). Also, they gave me a free gift voucher for staying 3 days and 2 nights in any of the given location (Lonavala, Mahabalipuram, Kodaik****, Tirupati).

After four months, I have contacted that I have this free gift voucher and I have to stay in Mahabalipuram with my Friend. Now, they told me to pay utility charges of around 1000/- per day. I wonder about one thing now. When they gave me this free gift voucher, they said it's free to stay there. Then why is this Utility chargers ?

I have asked the Branch Incharge - "Thilaga", "Why should I pay these charges ?". They said me that these charges are not part of this package. Then I had a doubt and I have asked them whether these utility charges are applicable only if I use the gift voucher or else it is applicable for the package which I have bought. They replied, all these four locations are their company's own location, so the utility charge is around 1000/- (depends on the location). But the other holiday resorts are not company owned resorts. Hence the utility charges would around 3500/- to 4500/-. I really shocked after hearing this . Because the marketing executive who sold me this package told me that, I need not pay even one rupee extra. I have enquired the cost of stay in some of the hotels in their list. And the price which they told me is around 4000/-. I really don't understand what kind of offer it is. And what reduction I have got from this offer.

I have asked the same to the lady who manages the office. She said, "How did I believed that I have been offered the package for such a low price. Because Marketing executives just tell anything to sell the products. Now they are not selling any package. And the executive who sold the package is not working in the company now". That's really an irresponsible answer. If they are selling any product they just say only the positive aspects and make us to buy the product. And the company is encouraging their executives to fool the customers.

Last December my cousin brother got married, And I have planned to send him to honeymoon trip using this package. On behalf of my brother, I was ready to pay those utility charges. But they replied me, "It's the peak holiday season we don't have slots for you. Then later I came to know that this company always say their customers, that this is peak season, and they have to pay some extra amount. If we can't go for tour during peak season, then what's the use of purchasing a membership. Then I have found in Google, there were lot of complaints on this company and they have already cheated lot of people in the similar manner. That's clearly shows that they are cheating their customers. Only after all this I have understood that I have been fooled completely by these people. I have also found that some of the people have got their money back via Consumer court. Till now, I thought I have lost my entire hard earned money. After seeing this forum I got a little hope. I would be grateful to all of you if I get my money back.

If you need any documents related to this fraud, I can scan those documents and send it to you the email which you provide it to me. Kindly reply to surajsarve@gmail.com

Thanks much
Suraj