Expedia Excuses

Expedia conveniently finds excuses not to address concerns of customers by always saying that it is not in their control to do so and so one should contact the airlines/hotels directly as the airlines/hotels have direct control over the tickets/reservations. While it may hold true in some cases but not all.

In my case, I checked with the airlines several times since last year till date and they confirmed to me every time that it was up to Expedia to consider my request regarding extension of the validity of that particular credit that was issued by Expedia in their name when flights got cancelled due to COVID-19 lockdown since it seemed to be under the control of Expedia.

The concerned airlines took the time to explain that credits associated with their airlines started with a certain digit which was not the case with the itinerary number that this credit was issued for by Expedia. Also, if a credit is issued by an airline, it can be used not only to buy a ticket but also pay for extra baggage etc. while this credit did not allow that on checking with Expedia. Therefore, it was obvious that this was an internal credit given by Expedia and not the airlines since the ticket was booked through Expedia. It was a credit issued by Expedia itself and could be altered by them only. But Expedia refuses to accept that. The credit is reflecting in the Expedia account and is only valid till next month, but Expedia is just delaying addressing the issue effectively.

Whatever the reason may be for the refusal, the airline agreed with me that Expedia should take the time to give factual reasons and explanations for the refusal to extend the validity of this credit instead of passing on the responsibility to the airline. This particular airline is always very helpful and works closely with its customers to effectively resolve issues but here they are not able to do anything because this is a credit that was issued directly by Expedia.

I feel that Expedia runs away from taking responsibility for any reservations made through them and are not even willing to cooperate with the customer to resolve issues or address queries. They have support desks to coordinate with different airlines and hotels they partner with but instead they leave it to the customers to find answers and resolve issues on their own. In fact, in the past while working as Manager at a hotel I often encountered challenges in dealing with Expedia to resolve issues pertaining to their reservations of guests at the hotel since they would often create so much of confusion and then just would leave it entirely to the hotel to resolve the mess that they would create.

I feel Expedia is not equipped to handle escalated complaints and is not equipped to co-ordinate well with their partner airlines or partner hotels to create a smooth experience for most of its customers. This is their deficiency, and they are not doing anything over the years to change that. In times of pandemic, I feel it is much better to book directly with airlines and hotels instead of Expedia.

The RM Story @ Banks like HDFC Bank and other Banks

HDFC's Imperia Banking has declined so much in recent years and quite many of their RMs are not as professional and refined as before! The same may apply to other banks like Citibank India or another depending upon your personal experiences. There are always some such RMs at any bank. Once can request a change of RM if you are not satisfied with the banking services you are receiving.

I feel that now internet banking or phone banking is much better than dealing with the staff at the bank or RMs but still one is required to visit the Bank once in a while specially where senior citizens are concerned who prefer traditional banking over internet banking and that is when one hopes for a good interaction but often do not get the professional banking service you hoped for. Earlier banks would build relationships with their customers specially the neighbourhood ones but now they have become quite careless in their dealings and particularly their managers.

The HDFC Imperia Banking RMs are never available if you have a query, concern or complaint. The only time they will give you time is when they think they could brainwash you into trusting them blindly to do your investments without any questions so that they can meet their targets! Your preferences or what works for you does not matter to them! In fact, during such times, they adopt quite an aggressive stance and a negative attitude in their interactions and dealings with you when they realize that you may decline their advice.

Very few actually give you the right advice and are patient in waiting for you to decide how you want to spread your funds on investments products. But remember this is your money and only you have the right to decide how you want to invest it and where you want to invest it! You have to see what works for you and not what suits them.

Of course, good investments advice and suggestions are always useful, but you must take a second opinion too from someone you know or research thoroughly about it before going for it or there may be regrets later.

Relationship Managers are supposed to guide, introduce and advise you patiently about investments or assist you professionally and smoothly with bank related services but definitely not allowed to coerce you into investing against your comfort zone. So don't be apologetic if you don't want to invest in any of the suggested investment products and don't feel cornered if any RM tries to force you to invest in something you don't want to.

RMs are supposed to manage the relationship of valued customers with the bank in a dignified and professional manner so that they enjoy pleasant interactions with the bank. They are meant to enhance your banking experience with the bank and certainly not alienate you from the bank! You have a right to hassle free banking without the domination of certain RMs who do not demonstrate professionalism or customer sensitivity in dealing with their clients/customers. Remember that there is always an option to take your money elsewhere if a certain bank repeatedly gives you bad customer service and where your escalated complaints are never resolved.

Homesake India needs to address its customer service/follow up on complaints !

 Homesake India may have good products but their customer service is more than below average. They will not respond to any mails or resolve complaints once their products are sold!

They may make it appear that they have flexible exchange and return policies but in reality, they don't! They do not fulfill their orders completely. Think twice before ordering a gift from that website or pay extra for gift wrapping because they will not pack your gifts despite extra charges for gift packing and they will not replace defective products or ill matched pair of lamps.

I feel that this company lacks professionalism and does not know how to retain clients. No follow-up at all on telephonic & social media complaints. I think they don't care about their customers once they have sold their products! They don't realize that it is easy to get new customers but harder to retain existing ones. Each customer matters!

 

Celebrities should be selective about which products they endorse! They should carefully investigate them before supporting them because representing companies that mislead consumers could tarnish their image too!

Celebrities should stop endorsing companies that do not deliver what they promise by renouncing them even afterwards based on consumers' feedback and this can only happen if celebrities feel responsible about the products they endorse and demonstrate that through having a team dedicated to following up on responses of customers I see as a consumers rights blogger that almost all the feedbacks of different customers are negative and so based on that no celebrity should endorse or represent this company unless Livpure gets their act straight and starts valuing its customers ! The same goes for other celebrities endorsing other brands and companies.

RO Membrane Filter replacement deliberately ignored by Livpure for years!

 

Always ensure that the membrane filter of any RO is in working condition. Usually when serviced, the companies may replace the other filter but sometimes deliberately ignore the replacement of membrane.

Most of the consumers are not aware of this but membrane filters remove the contaminants of the water. The replacement of membrane depends on the water quality, water consumption or actual usage. It may need to be changed sooner or later after 2 years or so. There is no definitely established time but a responsible company should ensure that it is checked on maintenance visits!

Livpure naturally ignored that and when the water purity was tested recently was the shocking dangerous level of water quality revealed which had resulted affecting the health of the seniors. That is when the membrane was finally changed by Livpure after so many years of purchasing the water purifier and despite numerous maintenance visits where water quality was checked but the necessity of changing the membrane was not informed. In this case the senior citizen has pre-existing conditions and this carelessness by Livpure could have a seriously dangerous impact on the person's health since the water quality was extremely bad!

People please be careful and make sure that these companies replace the membrane filter of the ROs on time! After all your health is at stake! Know the product you are using and read all the intricate details of the product online for more knowledge so that you enjoy the benefits of that product and are aware of the necessary replacements that you are entitled to in the maintenance visits that you pay for.

Airlines criminally preying on passengers' miseries in times of pandemic !

 Airlines are criminally preying on passengers' miseries by outrageously raising the prices of the air tickets. The international tickets to India on well- known airlines started at around $2600 or so and went up as high as even $6000 during Thanksgiving holidays which was absolutely shocking! And these tickets continue to be expensive. 

Already one is isolated in times of pandemic and now the thought of such expensive travel makes one feel more isolated as now it has become far more challenging to visit family. People who have medical emergencies in the family have no choice but to pay such an exorbitant price to reach their families. 

The airlines are taking advantage of the pandemic situation when people are already going through financial difficulties due to loss of jobs or reduced hours. And they are making it so difficult for those who are trying to reach their families, and thus create even a wider and challenging distance between people.

 Instead of connecting countries and hearts, they are disconnecting people as many can't afford to spend that much right now. Nobody is asking the airlines to lower their air fares though that would be a nice thought but people are asking them to charge what could be considered normal fares even during busy season. One cannot expect airlines to demonstrate any sensitivity during world health crisis since they will only think from the business point of view but they have no right to raise the fares so much that they are abnormally high! There should be some checks on them!           

Breach of Contract by LIVPURE Noida- Think twice b4 signing maintenance contract with them !

Livpure promises free Preventive Maintenance Service as per Contract & then disappears !

You may contact them several times for scheduling appointments but they ignore ! This is the general feedback of almost all their customers including mine when I had to endure their pathetic customer service while in Noida.

Despite a Dozen requests LIVPURE NOIDA in particular as always never honours any of the given appointments when they learn that it is NOT A PAID VISIT but FREE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE visit.

LIVPURE REPUTATION AS RELIABLE FIRM IS AT STAKE HERE !!!
FURTHER ANY HEALTH DAMAGES SO OCCURING ,THE LEGAL LIABILITY WILL REST ON LIVPURE !

It is high time that the Livpure NOIDA staff is pulled up and ordered to provide the rightful service to its customers.