Hi,

I have been a regular customer of Louis Philippe (LP) for more than last 5 years and lastly I purchased 2 suits from Louis Philippe exclusive showroom, Brigade road, Bangalore on 16/08/2009. The reference invoice no. is S9/3372 with amount of Rs.9443/-.

I actually wanted to purchase these garments for my brother who is in my native (Thrissur dist., Kerala) and was communicated to the shop keeper. Since I was not sure about his likings on colour and exact fittings, I bought the garments from the showroom with a condition that I will take them to Louis Phillipe showroom in Ernakulam for the required alteration and exchange as required. This was agreed by the shop keeper (Mr. Siva Kumar) and suggested me to visit the exclusive showroom of Louis Philippe, Ernakulam, Kerala. I was also suggested to purchase garment that day itself to avail the discount offer as that was last day of offer in LP showroom.

I was given the following false information by the sale person (Mr. Siva Kumar) while purchasing the garments:
1. There are discounts on selected items and will be ending by the same day. Therefore, to avail the discount, I need to bill the garments on the same say (16/Aug ’09) and later on I can go to Ernakulam showroom and exchange the same and do necessary alterations. This was not the case when I went to Ernakulam showroom on 23-Aug and they told this discount is provided only for old stock garments and this can not be exchanged with any of their regular products. I hurried to purchase the same on 16-Aug from Bangalore only because attraction of discount. Or else, I could have directly gone to Ernakulam showroom and purchased whatever I wanted.

2. While purchasing, when I told that my brother’s waist was 34 inches, I got a wrong information from Mr. Siva kumar that all suits are coming with odd numbered size bottoms (e.g. bottom size Inches- 31, 33, 35, etc.) compared to standard convention of even numbered sizing (30,32, 34, etc.). I was also asked to take the bottom of 33 and alter it by +/- 1 inch as required from Ernakulam. But I heard from Ernakulam showroom that, there is no such size convention exists and what I bought is Suit of 96 Inches with a standard bottom size of 32inches. And I can not alter this bottom to fit for 34 inches waist. Means, I had to go for the next standard size for which the blazer is too big for his structure.

I realized that I made a big mistake by buying some old stuff for big price and which are not useful. I had to buy 2 suits from Van Husan showroom for my brother as he was planning for an abraod visit in the next 3 days. I came back to Bangalore 24-Aug and visited Brigade road showroom on the same day with refund request. Since the main purpose was to exchange the suits in Ernakulam, I had not asked for any alteration of suits (top and bottom pieces). I met Mr. Amjad and presented the situation and requested for a refund. And here comes the cheapest customer support I ever have seen from such a branded company. I submitted the garments in the showroom and was asked to wait until a resolution is made.

3. Mr. Amjad requested me to give him one day for taking this issue with his head office as well to his store manager and come to a resolution. He promised me to call me and update the status by next day, i.e. 25-Aug. I submitted all the purchased goods in the showroom and waited for his call. Not only that I never received a call from him but also I could never talk to him when I tried to reach him at least 8 to 10 times on 25, 26 and 27 of Aug. I was continuously getting the reply from the shop keepers that he had gone for manager’s meet, for prayer, etc. I did not get his mobile number too as one of the shop keepers told it was his personal mobile. Finally, I directly walked down to the showroom I and could meet him and understood, nothing is progressed in the last 4 days and he wants one more day extension to talk to his store keeper, Mr. Chandran who is working in the same office, same showroom. I reserved my patience and waited for 28-Aug too.

4. I called the showroom on 28-Aug and Mr. Chandran talked to me in a very shrude manner and told it is never possible to refund the money. I communicated to him that I will register a complaint in the customer support of Louis Philippe company and he was too careless to hear that.

5. I called the customer support number 080-67271600 (Mr. Narayanan) as mentioned in all LP garments and when I asked for Mr. narayan, the person disconnected the phone. I tried to reach the same number at least 8 times after that and all the time it was disconnected after 3 or 4 rings.

6. As nothing of the above my requests worked, I posted my complaint in the customer care email address of LP (customersupport@madura.adityabirla.com) on 28/Aug/2009 stating I will approach consumer court for getting justice if there is no resolution set by LP in a week's time. I received a call from Mr. Kapil Alagh, regional manager, LP on 1/Sep/2009 and told I can exchange the garments for equivalent amount of my bill. I was not ready for that as I did not want just spend about Rs. 10,000 just for the sake of compensating my earlier purchase. Since I refused that offer, he asked me wait for 3 more days to know the decision from LP. After that, till now (15/Sep / 2009), I have not received any communication from LP.

I have spent at least Rs. 1000 to run around after this purchase to Ernakulam showroom from my home town (Thrissur, 100 KM away from Ernakulam) and 2 times to Bangalore showroom from White field to brigade road.

I kindly request this forum to suggest me a solution for getting my money back from this company which I spent 1 month before.
I am attaching the mail I have sent to the customer care address of LP show room for your reference.

Thanking you in anticipation,
Rejith C. R.
09886482808