Consumer Court (consumerhelpline.gov.in) works!
TL;DR - Bikat Adventures, a trekking/tour agency, cancelled my booking and refused to refund INR 60,000 - until I registered a complaint with the government’s Consumer Court.
I had booked a Nepal trek package with Bikat Adventures on 13/8/2024 for ~INR 60,000.
Only two days before I was supposed to leve for Nepal, they suddenly cancelled the package and said they would refund the amount in 15-20 working days.
Almost 3 months later, I still had not received the refund. I tried to contact Bikat Adventures multiple times via call, email and WhatsApp, but they ignored all calls, emails and messages. No refund, not even any update on the refund. Finally, I told them if they don’t send me an update I would register a complaint with the Consumer Court - but even then they didn’t care.
Finally, I registred a formal complaint with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
I didn't know what to expect from a government agency - but was pleasantly surprised! Within a week, there were updates on my complaint, with the Consumer Court reporting that they had sent two follow-up emails to Bikat Adventures warning them of consequences if the refund was not processed. Within 2 weeks of me registering the complaint, I received my long-awaited refund.
If anyone has such troubles from private companies - especially those in the hospitality/travel sectors - do look at the Consumer Court website. If nothing else, just the threat of official action should light a fire under such companies.
