Card firm to pay up for not keeping promises

Upholding an order of the Panchkula district consumer forum,the UT State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Intercard (India) Limited to refund Rs 3,800...

Upholding an order of the Panchkula district consumer forum,the UT State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Intercard (India) Limited to refund Rs 3,800 taken to subscribe to a card which later failed to provide any promised benefits to the complainant.

Darshan Kumar Gupta alleged that a representative of the company told him that if he availed of the services of the company and buys the card,he would be entitled to facilities such as free cinema passes,tickets for shows sponsored or organised by them and discount from specified leading retail outlets. Lured by the offer,the complainant deposited the aforesaid amount and was issued a life membership card.

Gupta alleged that not even a single such promised benefit was extended to him and the company neither organised for any film or entertainment show.

He further averred that leading outlets did not recognise the card. When I visited the local office to file a complaint,it was locked,the complainant stated.

In its reply,the Intercard said the complainant is not a consumer as the relationship,in question,is of contractual nature. It was said the branch of the company in Chandigarh has been closed due to administrative reasons and thus does not comes under the jurisdiction of the consumer forum at Chandigarh.

It also stated that whenever any show was organised,members were informed through prominent newspaper to collect free passes.

It went on to blame the complainant for not availing the benefits offered by the card.

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The forum said no copy of the newspaper in original has been placed on record to prove that publicity and information was actually given.

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