Complaint Details

Status	:	Closed
Complaint No	:	0002705/2012
Category	:	Hospitality
Date	:	18-12-2012
Subject Line	:	Coconut Lagoon beach resort scammed me
Complainant	:	Akshay Divate
Address	:	F-5/7, Sector - 3, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai
Complainee	:	Coconut Lagoon Beach Resort
Address	:	Near N.K.Varadkar Highschool, At : Murud, Tal : Dapoli Dist : Ratnagiri - 415712. Maharashtra, INDIA.

Complaint Details
I contacted Mr. Avinash Patekar through the Coconut Lagoon beach resort website (www.coconutlagoon.in) as he handles public relation. I intended to book couple of rooms for a weekend trip to Murud.

I was told by Mr Avinash Patekar that the only way to reserve a room at their resort is by depositing Rs. 1500 in their account.

After being told this, I asked Mr Patekar that what if we couldn't make it to their resort as this was not a fixed venture by our side. We can only make it if time permits.

I was again assured by Mr. Patekar that he could easily arrange rebooking or refund if we cannot make it on the day of booking.

Hence, on this arrangement, I transferred Rs. 1500 in Coconut Lagoon's bank account that is mentioned on their website. A tentative booking for 15th December 2012 was confirmed by Mr. Patekar through email after receiving the funds in their account.

Unfortunately due to some unforeseen circumstances, our trip to Murud got cancelled for that weekend. I intimated Mr. Patekar over phone on the morning of 15th December 2012 that we were unable to leave Mumbai. There was no such critical reposnse from Mr. Patekar's side. I even sent him a SMS confirming that we won't be able to make it for that days booking and I will forward him my bank account details for the refund of advance. I didn't get a reply for my message.

Today i.e. 18th December 2012, I sent Coconut Lagoon an email asking for transferring the same amount and rebooking same couple of rooms for the 31st December 2012. I receieved a reply from Mr. Patekar stating that firstly, there are no bookings available for 31st December 2012 and secondly, according to their policy, they are not obliged to refund money paid in advance for a cancelled booking as they consider it a last moment cancellation.

I consider this as a scam because I was not told about the policy at the time of booking and there are no such terms and conditions mentioned on the website (www.coconutlagoon.in) which was the point of reference for the resort.

Instead Mr. Patekar misled me by stating that I could claim a refund of my advance money or rebook if I cannot make on the intended day. He never ever mentioned about their policy at the time of booking.

Hence, I expect a full refund of Rs. 1500 from Coconut Lagoon Beach Resort, Murud.

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