Had a very bad experience with SOTC (Kuoni Travels) recently. Went to a travel fair in BKC (Mumbai) on 3rd Feb and visited their stall. Nice big stall with lots of colour, action and noise. Discussed all details and booked an Europe tour based on calculations and good discounts given by one of their branch managers in consultation with at least 3 more senior personnel. Paid the booking amount and went home happy. No news from them for around 5 days after that. Had to call them 4-5 times to come and collect the travel docs and balance payment. The branch manager turned up at my place 5 days later. *
Imagine my shock and disgust when he gave me a quote Rs. 25, 000/= more than the earlier quote**. On top of it, he claimed that he had never given the quote which we had written down (in front of them) at their stall. When I asked where the notebook on which he had worked out the quote was, the branch manager claimed that he could not find it. I asked for the refund of my booking amount and the BM told me that he would do it immediately. When I called him on Monday for my refund, he coolly tells me that the booking amount was not refundable and that since I did not have a choice, I should just book the tour at the increased cost. Wrote to their MD who responded that someone would meet me. Got a couple of calls with promises to meet but nobody turned up. Finally got my refund cheque after 8 days thru an office boy. God-was I glad! This according to me is blatant cheating.
Please do be very careful when dealing with this company.