On the evening of May 27, 2025, I walked into the Westside store at Gaurav Tower to buy a shirt and a pair of pants. I picked two items — one priced at ₹1299 and the other at ₹1499 (inclusive of all taxes). The store was well-organized, and I was hoping for a smooth shopping experience. Unfortunately, what followed left me feeling misled and disappointed.
What Went Wrong:
- At the billing counter, the staff asked me to enroll in the Westside Club membership. He claimed it would offer decent discounts during occasions like birthdays. I agreed and filled out the form. They mention that it comes without any fee.
- The billing executive then realized that my birthday had already passed (in April) and said something along the lines of “You’ll have to wait a year for any birthday-related offer.” To “fix” this, he changed my birthdate in the form to a future month (1 August, or so I am not sure), without informing me clearly about the implications. He also insisted I add my spouse’s details, although it wasn’t relevant to my purchase.
- Then, he put two packets of wet wipes in the bag, saying they were “complimentary from the store.” However, once I completed the payment and received the printed bill, I noticed line items for “GOLDPAIDCARD” and “LIP REMOVER WIPES” — which seemed to indicate charges of ₹199 & ₹98 (₹49 each) respectively.
- I questioned this immediately, but the staff responded, “Look at the final amount — you’ve not been charged extra.” At that point, there was a queue behind me, and I had no time to argue over technicalities. So I left with a strong sense of being misled.
Why This Matters:
- Lack of transparency: All these changes — membership enrollment, DOB alteration, added products — were done with little to no clear explanation. The bill became visible only after payment, leaving no room to object.
- Pushy upselling: It felt like the staff prioritized enrollment targets over customer satisfaction.
- Misrepresentation of “complimentary” items: If something is truly free, it shouldn’t appear as a billed item — even if it’s adjusted in the total.
Key Questions for Westside:
- Would I have received the same price without enrolling in the membership?
- Why was my date of birth altered just to trigger offers?
- Are store employees encouraged to meet targets at the cost of customer trust?
A Positive Contrast:
After this, I visited CityVibes and Mochi — both in the same area — for additional purchases. At both places, the experience was customer-focused, clear, and respectful. The difference was stark.
Final Thoughts:
I walked into Westside Gaurav Tower, Jaipur, expecting a standard retail experience. Instead, I left feeling tricked by clever tactics that only became clear after payment. A brand like Westside should be building trust and clarity, not causing confusion or regret.
If you’re considering shopping here, I suggest asking direct questions, checking for hidden items in the bill, and being cautious about “membership benefits” that aren’t clearly explained.
PS: I’m sharing this issue with the Westside team via email and will update this article based on how they respond.
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