I had a bitter experience using the ICICI bank credit card.

I got a promotional mail from ICICI as below. The mail said that I could buy GOLD on Akshaytrithi worth Rupees 10,000 or more (from selected outlets) and get it converted into interest free 3 EMIs. The last date mentioned was 30 April 2007.

ICICI Bank Credit Card

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More Reasons to buy Gold this AKSHAYA TRITIYA

Swipe your ICICI Bank Credit Card on purchase of Gold jewellery and pay in 3 interest-free EMIs.

- No Processing Fee - No Foreclosure Fee - No Advance Payment

Hurry! Make the most of this offer, Valid only till 30th April, 2007.

Offer valid on minimum purchases of Rs 10,000 or more.

Offer valid on select outlets. Click below for details.

http://retail.icicibank.com/cgi-bin16/DM/y/eBK6Q0PD8TM0r350ONxh0EB

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To view the html version of this mailer, please click here

http://retail.icicibank.com/cgi-bin16/DM/y/eBK6Q0PD8TM0r350ONxi0EC

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World Gold Council

*Conditions Apply

Look at the words *Conditions apply (but nowhere the conditions are specified).

As per the mail, I made a purchase of Rs18,200 worth of GOLD from their specified selected outlet on 30 April 2007 (the last day of the scheme).

In the next statement the whole amount was shown as debit and was not converted into 3 EMIs.

When I called customer care they responded that:

1) The merchant did not request for the same (How does merchant come into picture?).

2) I should have bought gold on 19th, 20th or 21st April as these dates were for Akshaytrithi (not mentioned in the promotional mail).

3) You should have requested within 21 days of your purchase (not specified in mail)

How does the customer know all these hidden conditions?

After a long fight and an approach to consumer court the amount was converted into 3 EMIs.

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