I booked a thomas cook tour through its preferred selling agent (PSA) Shree Ram Tours & Travel (SRTT) at Malad, Mumbai. SRTT talked very sweetly unless payment was made. Once payment was made, it showed its true color. It did not give any receipt or tour confirmation voucher as mentioned in its brochure. On being asked, I was told though its written, it’s not followed.
The person there even ADVISED (read threatened) me " not to go by rules, otherwise I would not enjoy the tour". He even gave incorrect information regarding me to Thomas Cook (TK). TK endosed my passport with US$500 even though I did not take any forex from them. I was told it was done for Thailand visa. I had doudbt that this was required. It sounded fishy. On being probed, it was found that this endoresement was not required. TK had obviously used my passport to generate extra forex, which either it or its agent can use in hawala market at premium. When I told TK that other travelers’ passport are not endorsed like this, I was told if one has credit card, then endoresement is not required and that I did not have passport.
Another lie - as none of my fellow travellers were asked for credit card copy nor were their passports endorsed. The fact was that I did have credit card but they never asked for it. On questioning, I was told that SRTT informed us so. When TK questioned SRTT about it, SRTT person told TK that a check list of documents required was given to me and that included credit card copy. I showed the check list to TK and it had no mention of Credit card. Clearly SRTT sucked! It tried to rip me off. I was denied issue of adequate forex because of dummy endorsement on my passport, which was not at all required. Guys keep off from SRTT. A few words on TK: TK brochure mentions a lot but they are not able to cover everything mentioned therein as regrds to sight seeing & shopping etc. So take their brochure with a pinch (read load) of salt.