One fine day I received AVA merchandising catalog with my ICICI Platinum Credit Card bill. I went through the catalog, and find a good offer on Blackberry 7230.
I planned to gift this cell-phone to my brother on July 15th on his birthday. I was confident that AVA must be a good service provider as my bank was suggesting the merchant. Also, I was doing such shopping first time, so I was bit careful also in terms of transaction and other things.
I went through the catalog again to see the terms and conditions and contact details, and found that AVA takes 21 days to deliver the product. Since, it was 4th of July, so I thought it would defeat the purpose to gift this on July 15th. Still, I gave a call to AVA Customer care to check if they can deliver the product in 10 days. The lady assured me that product would get delivered on July 14th without any hassle.
They mentions 21 days to be at safer side as many of the times requested items are not in stock, or delay in courier due to natural calamities. Since, the product needs to deliver in Delhi so I was assured to not to worry about; it would get delivered within 10 days. I also have been informed that Blackberry 7230 in stock, so everything seemed in my favor. I was very happy and as per the instructions given by bank I ordered the Blackberry only after the commitment for delivering the product on 14th July.
On 11th of July, I received a call from ICICI bank informing me that I have made two purchases from AVA merchandising on July 4th and July 7th respectively. I was shocked, as I had made only one purchase that was Blackberry. I asked what is the other purchase, and the executive told me that it is AVA product catalogue costing around 7500 INR. I informed him that there must be a mistake; I only have ordered one Blackberry, so tell me what should I do to cancel another order that I haven’t ordered. The ICICI bank executive helped me to create a dispute on this order, and the order was finally cancelled. I took sigh of relief but bit bemused with the incident.
On July 14th, when I didn’t receive the Blackberry, I called up AVA merchandising, and I have been informed that they take 21 days to make the deliver. I told the executive about the commitment made by the lady. I told her name and asked to redirect the call to her. The executive asked me to be online for some time, and after 4 minutes of painful moment he asked me to have patience, as the product would get delivered on July 15th. Also, he informed me that my case was special so the product will not be sent by courier rather AVA employee would hand it over to me personally. I got persuaded again but with a confirmation that the product would get delivered in the first half.
On July 15th, at 3:00 pm I called the guys again and found that the guy has already left for Delhi to deliver the product to me, and he must be reaching in next an hour. Till 7, no AVA employee approached me. Now I was bit out of control, I called the AVA merchandising again, and got to know that the guy got stuck in the jam so couldn’t deliver the product. The guy will be delivering product tomorrow on July 16th. I informed them that purpose has already been defeated, as I couldn’t gift the phone to my brother.
On July 16th nobody turned up and nothing got delivered. On 17th morning I called up again the AVA customer care and came to know that Blackberry 7230 is out of stock, so this will take time to get arranged. Now, I was out of control. I immediately called up ICICI bank, and asked their executive to transfer the call immediately to any top official who can take decisions. I had a word with their top official and told him clearly that my bank cheated me, as they have sent the catalog and suggested the Merchant. I also told them I would dismantle the relationship with ICICI bank if I do not receive the ordered product within two days. I don’t know if ICICI bank took the issue seriously or the AVA guys were able to arrange the phone, but the phone got delivered to me on 21st July.
Guys, phone is new but not working properly. Almost all the time it is out of coverage area. I did a biggest mistake that I preferred such shopping mode and with the AVA merchandising.
Please beware of AVA merchandising!