I received a joint offer from INDIA TODAY "Prize Management Council" and HDFC Bank , a 25% reduction on the annual subscription rate, a chance to win Rs 1.5million, and assured special prizes.Being preferred customer and holding an International Gold credit card with a spend limit of Rs 3 lakhs, I filled up the subscription form and returned the prize certificates promptly as advised. There was a great surprise indeed. The form and the Prize Draw certificates were returned to me by the Subscription Department of "INDIA TODAY GROUP" by some one signing for Living Media India Ltd stating that "INVALID CARD NUMBER".
I checked the card number myself and got it checked by a Chartered Accountant who is a friend and finally called the HDFC Card customer care centre giving the number I had written in the subscription form.They too confirmed it is correct.
I sent an e-mail to HDFC and India Today as to why my form was not accepted and sent back? I quote below the reply in verbatim "We have investigated & found that the error took place. due to inadvertant card number in our records, during data input.We deeply regret this mistake, which occured due to oversight by our EXECUTIVE & seek your understanding" What a word play!!!!! Just to say that the "out sourced company employee goofed up"
The letter was signed by Ms Archana Dev, Manager -Customer Servicing & Subscriptions, the same person whose name appeared in the INDIA TODAY reviews on CUSTOMER CARE, written in 2004.So she still work for INDIA TODAY, which shows that how much they "care" for customers and subscribers?.
HDFC Bank passed the buck to INDIA TODAY, stating that they sent the form back without verifying with the Card Division, INDIA TODAY’s assurance is that " this was not meant to inconveninence you or harm your reputation in any way"
Thanks for that statement. INDIA TODAY GROUP claiming the Numero Uno in Communication field in INDIA. The end result is that I have banned any INDIA TODAY group publications from my house hold, and close my banking relationship with INDIA’s leading private bank. Both have been duly notified.
Jai Hind