jacketwatch

We had a very suspicious incident regarding some expensive jewelery "disappearing" from my wifes purse in our room while we were gone for 1 hr. for lunch. It happened on the day we were to depart to Delhi. Several staff members including the manager searched our luggage inc. my carry-on bag. This bag was searched about 6 times by 6 different people inc. myself and my wife and the satin sachel with the jewelery was not found here or anywhere. We left for the train shattered by this and certain that we were robbed. Then just about 10 minutes into the ride my wife looked in my bag and mysteriously the sachel was there and in an obvious spot. The hotel manager said with several employees in our room that he would search everyone. I can only conclude that whoever took it from the purse mamaged to slip it back into my bag due to fear of being caught red handed. Either that or 6 people who searced by bag all missed it so that is highly implausible. As my wife ws emotionally devestated and in tears this could have easily happened. What is most disappointing is that repeated emails to the Mansingh group have gone unanswered for about two weeks now adding a further insult to our experience there. I realize thefts do occur but to ignore the customer is completely unacceptable. At the very least the courtesy of a reply is in order. BTW I did not ask for any monetary compensation at all.

rhkkmk

alls well that ends well... my immediate thought is why would any jewerly ever be left anyplace unsecure????

i am not surprised of no answer... i would write a personal letter to the CEO of that group via mail not internet...

jacketwatch

We almost always leave everything of value in the safe and except for this everything else was. Wife wife simply forgot about this one item. I have thought about your suggestion BTW. I just may go that route. Thanks for the reply.

jacketwatch

BTW as for "alls well that ends well". If you saw how badly this experience affected us, especially my wife you perhaps would not say that. Even though the items were returned the sense of personal violation remains. My wife was nearly inconsolable. We've traveled many places and this is the 1st time something like this has happened in our 26 yrs, or so of globe trotting. Maybe thats why we sort of left our guard down. After this it'll never happen again. Larry.

dgunbug

We never wear or carry expensive jewelry or anything that looks expensive as we feel it makes us a target. Best to leave those at home.

lcuy

It is sad you had to go through this, but it really did end well. It was a hard lesson, but you didn't have to pay for it.

indianapearl

Ditto what dgunbug said. I'm always amazed at the women I see while traveling who are wearing diamond rings, watches, etc. I'm glad your story ended up better than it might have.

althom1122

I don't mean to be unkind or unsympathetic, but it did end well, really. I've heard horror stories of people being mugged and actually losing valuables, and worse of people being injured - you weren't. What happened is unfortunate indeed, but if you're able to globe-trot and have the means to have expensive jewelry, you're much better off than the overwhelming majority of people in the world. I feel certain you saw many worse off than you while in India. That doesn't mean what happened is ok, but maybe it'll help put things in perspective. I'm sorry for your misfortune, but you can choose how to react to it. You can remain upset and try to get at least a apology from the hotel (which I do believe you're owed, by the way) or you can focus on your good fortune at having the means to travel, the health to travel, a companion to travel with -- and that you made it home safe and sound and with all your valuables intact. Chalk it up to a lesson learned for future travels and try to get over it. Take care.

CaliNurse

I'm glad you posted this, Jacketwatch. What an awful incident on your trip.
Should i ever be in Ajmer, i will spend my money at a different hotel.

someotherguy

We of course know that you are blameless victims, but look at it from the hotel's point of view:

Some guests accuse the hotel staff of stealing an item; much hassle and mutual distress ensues. Subsequently, the hotel receives an email that the guests have found the item and demanding...something (you don't say what).

Now why would the hotel respond to this email? From their point of view, the guests failed to keep track of their own possessions and made a baseless accusation of theft. Wouldn't they rather be expecting an apology from the guests?

jacketwatch

Actually someotherguy I did state I asked for no compensation and in my detailed reporting of this event to the hotel it should be clear that my conclusion is at the very least plausible. I would expect any corporation of good repute to at least reply in some way. That is all I want. Again I did not ask for anything in the way of compensation in the last sentence of my original post. You must have missed that. Thats really the whole point of this post. How would you feel if it was you and what would you do?
As for this entire experience I do appreciate the replies. Yes, we are well aware of how fortunate we are and I agree that this does not or should not take away from the anguish we felt at being so violated. Included in the sachel was my wifes wedding ring BTW so the sentimental value in beyond measure. Getting over it is much easier said than done. We are fine now and I suppose a bit less trusting.
Althom: BTW my wife is Indian and this is our 6th trip together there. I know what its like. This is not really about perspective in life. This is about an unfortunate experience over all, both for itself and for the incredible lack of responsivness from the hotel management. We actually did call the hotel from the train BTW and reported our findings to the manager. We have had some issues in the many yrs. we have traveled with hotels and cruise companies, not many but a few and it all instances, around 3-4 the matters were professionally addressed. Until now. Thas the point.
Regards, Larry

althom1122

I do agree with you - it's unfortunate and I am sorry it happened. I, too, would be upset with the hotel management. Your comment about your wife being inconsolable, though, made me think that putting it in perspective might be consoling, that's all.

jacketwatch

Thank you. Of course she was inconsolable, at least for a time. Again what would you expect if it was you and you were facing the theft of such items. This was an initial reaction only. By the time we were in route to Delhi she was getting over it as was I. BTW I see you are going to India soon. Have fun and I posted a link to a neat little enclave for some good shopping on your thread.

jacketwatch

Althom: Looks like we are playing thread tag here. . Anyway have a great trip and I look f/w to your TR. We stayed at a hotel in Delhi called the City Park as it was close to where our relatives live. There is a terrific Indian restaurant there called the Yellow Mirchi and its reasonably priced. It has some of the best restaurant Indian food we've ever had so if you are so inclined and its not too far away do try it. Cheers, Larry

althom1122

Haha, yes we are playing thread tag! Our hotel is the Grand President, which is located at Business Center Karol Bagh. Not sure where that is relative to your hotel, but if I'll keep my ees peeled for Yellow Mirchi. Thanks.

And glad your wife has gotten over it. I would have been very upset (and cried, too).

jacketwatch

Karol Bagh has some good shopping BTW. The Yellow Mirchi is in the hotel City Park. I'm not sure about how far it is from where you are staying but a quick look at a google map makes it seem a far distance away, esp. knowing how Delhi traffic is. There will be lots of nice places to dine however. A good, safe and clean place to eat would be anyone of the Haldiram places. They specialize in Indian sweets and snacks but some have a nice variety of Indian entrees as well. Cheers, Larry