Dear Sir/Madam,
I am a victim of online fraud made through Talash.com on 17th May 2011. I am from UK, London and made an online transaction for a mobile phone NOKIA E63 (colour- Ruby Red). While making a selection on their website (TALASH.COM) for the above mentioned product, there were only 2 colour choices were available, which were BLUE & RUBY RED On the website, NOKIA E63 valued Rs.9000.00 was available & shown only in RUBY RED colour (please find photo attached. Source – www.talash.com), which we liked the most and so was the main reason to order that particular model. When we went to online checkout even that time no colour option was given and only the model number and phone photo + description was given. So which means we paid for RUBY RED colour NOKIA E63 on 17/05/2011 and paid Rs. 9000.00. Even on the delivery receipt only model number was given (please find a delivery note attached).
Fraud starts here - When my parents recvd the parcel, they opened the box excitedly and they were shocked to see that it was white colour phone. They are in India (New Delhi) and called me straightaway in UK, telling me that they have recvd a wrong handset and should be Ruby Red colour and not White. I straightaway called up TALASH INFOSOFT PVT LTD (website – www.talash.com) at +44-20-3287-3380 and spoke to Balmukund (TALASH.COM). Bear in mind that these people have no links or offices in UK and they are running this website from Gujarat, Ahmedabad. I explained Balmukund (TALASH.COM) the whole story and said there was a reason that we chose only that phone because of that colour, if we were known that this phone is available only in white colour then we would not have ordered this at first place. Balmukund (TALASH.COM) assured me that he will contact his vendor ASAP and will get back to me. He also assured me that he will either exchange my handset to Ruby Red or refund the whole money for sure. I wait for 48hrs and did not recve any call back from him then finally I had to call him. When I called him, a lady answered the phone, when I asked for Balmukund (TALASH.COM) she said, it is wrong number and disconnected the phone. Then I called the same number after 10 seconds and it kept ringing. I tried this 5 times and no answer. Then my parents in Delhi called him and asked why have you not replied to our complaint yet, he informed him that he is still contacting his vendor and also advised us not to use the new handset for the time being. My father said that we are not using the handset though this is the only mode of communication for my mother but please let us know about the status by today, to which he promised he will.
But again, he showed the same carelessness from his side, he never called either me (in the UK) or my Parents (in India). We kept waiting for his phone call and then I called him from UK again next day. He luckily answered the phone and when I asked him about the status of my complaint then he said that he spoke to his vendor and unfortunately they can’t exchange the phone as my parents have opened the box. This was so frustrating for me and my parents that after many days of struggle with him, he said that it is our fault and can’t exchange the phone. I said to him, that it is your fault as you sent me the wrong product at first place and it was a gift for my parents so obviously my mother had opened the box and saw a different colour handset and we informed you about this the very same day without any delay, please tell me where is my fault. Moreover, I read your terms and condition whilst placing the order and there was nowhere mentioned that product can’t be exchanged if the box is opened. Firstly, we have not opened the item and secondly in your terms and conditions it is very clearly mentioned that YOU WILL ACCEPT THE REPLACEMENT OR RETURN OF THE MOBILE PHONES IF THE PRODUCT IS NOT THE SAME AS ORDERED. This proves that I have full right to have an exchange or refund. I understand that if the product is been used then you can’t refund or replace, but when the packaging is intact and it was a mistake done from your side then why are you hesitating in replacing the order. He said he can’t do anything and I have to live with it. PLEASE HELP!. It is so frustration and such a bad experience for me for doing online shopping in India and I am regretting that why did I trust and believed that online shopping in India will be the same pleasant experience as doing online shopping in the UK. But believe me there are CROOKS, BASTARDS sitting there who are ready to cheat you anytime if they get a chance.
It doesn’t end here. THE MOST SHOCKING PART OF MY EXPERIENCE WITH TALASH.COM - When I requested Balmukund (TALASH.COM) to tell me your Managing Director’s name, he said it is not in their company policy to tell their MD’s name to the customer. Then I requested, can you tell me your Vendor’s details, again he gave me the same reply.
PLEASE TELL ME WHERE SHALL I GO. We don’t like that phone and nor we can use it as they said if we use it then it will be against their company policy to return or exchange the handset. As mentioned above that we have only single mode of communication and we are in dire need. But we can’t use it as we are worried about the consequences. Please advise and I appeal for Justice.
Please note that I am going complaint against TALASH.COM ONLINE CHEATING by sending this complaint to UK consumer court as well.
PLEASE BE AWARE OF THEM, THEY ARE CROOKS AND SHOULD BE BANNED FROM ONLINE SELLING.
Your faithfully
sidsaxena
Sid Saxena
9, Swan Road, Southall,
Middlesex, UB1 3JT,
London, UK
Mobile: +44-********72