u/Adventurous-Share518

I’m looking for practical advice on a consumer issue related to online fitness coach. (This guy is a fitness influencer on Instagram with around 5.5 lakh following, and powerful too as told Do whatever you want to do money won’t be refunded)

I joined a 3-month coaching program after seeing the coach’s Instagram. I paid ₹13,500 (₹2,000 on 15 March and ₹11,500 on 1 April).

Before payment, it was represented that the program would include:
* personalized coaching
* customised workout and diet
* weekly check-ins
* accountability
* form correction
* guidance
* call support
* video review support

I had clearly told him before joining that I already had access to workout plans through my Cult membership. My main reason for joining was active guidance, form correction, accountability, regular discussion, and personalized coaching support.

Timeline
promised start date: 1 April
actual effective start: 13 April
first follow-up: 18 April

I had also asked for support and responses in between because replies were delayed.
What was actually delivered
workout PDF
diet PDF
generic weekly follow-up messages like:
“This is a regular follow up msg, please ask if you have any doubts.”

I asked multiple specific questions related to:
exercise alternatives
workout changes
machine-based options
warm-up
stretching
weight tracking

I also requested cable-based workout changes on call and later on chat, but I did not feel the ongoing support matched what had been represented before payment.
There was no meaningful tracking of:
calorie intake
workout progression
reps / loads
body weight
ongoing accountability

Refund
I raised refund concerns early, within less than one month of the 3-month program.
I requested that the plan be treated as one month and asked for refund of the unused remaining period.
That request was denied. By saying that he had written in WhatsApp text that “once the plan is delivered no money will be refunded and if you leave midway no money will be refunded” ( while my concern is he was never serious about his services after taking money)

He also later blocked me on Instagram.
I have preserved:
payment proof
WhatsApp chats
promises made before payment
delayed start
repeated support requests
refund denial

I have already filed a complaint with National Consumer Helpline.

My question:
Froma a practical consumer perspective, do I have a reasonable case for partial refund?
Has anyone dealt with something similar, and what usually works next?

I’m looking for practical advice on a consumer issue related to online fitness coach. (This guy is a fitness influencer on Instagram with around 5.5 lakh following, and powerful too as told Do whatever you want to do money won’t be refunded)

I joined a 3-month coaching program after seeing the coach’s Instagram. I paid ₹13,500 (₹2,000 on 15 March and ₹11,500 on 1 April).

Before payment, it was represented that the program would include:
* personalized coaching
* customised workout and diet
* weekly check-ins
* accountability
* form correction
* guidance
* call support
* video review support

I had clearly told him before joining that I already had access to workout plans through my Cult membership. My main reason for joining was active guidance, form correction, accountability, regular discussion, and personalized coaching support.

Timeline
promised start date: 1 April
actual effective start: 13 April
first follow-up: 18 April

I had also asked for support and responses in between because replies were delayed.
What was actually delivered
workout PDF
diet PDF
generic weekly follow-up messages like:
“This is a regular follow up msg, please ask if you have any doubts.”

I asked multiple specific questions related to:
exercise alternatives
workout changes
machine-based options
warm-up
stretching
weight tracking

I also requested cable-based workout changes on call and later on chat, but I did not feel the ongoing support matched what had been represented before payment.
There was no meaningful tracking of:
calorie intake
workout progression
reps / loads
body weight
ongoing accountability

Refund
I raised refund concerns early, within less than one month of the 3-month program.
I requested that the plan be treated as one month and asked for refund of the unused remaining period.
That request was denied. By saying that he had written in WhatsApp text that “once the plan is delivered no money will be refunded and if you leave midway no money will be refunded” ( while my concern is he was never serious about his services after taking money)

He also later blocked me on Instagram.
I have preserved:
payment proof
WhatsApp chats
promises made before payment
delayed start
repeated support requests
refund denial

I have already filed a complaint with National Consumer Helpline.

My question:
Froma a practical consumer perspective, do I have a reasonable case for partial refund?
Has anyone dealt with something similar, and what usually works next?

TLDR:
Paid ₹13,500 for a 3-month online fitness coaching program expecting personalized guidance, accountability, and form correction. Coaching started late, support was mostly generic weekly follow-ups, and the service did not match what was represented. I raised concerns within less than one month and requested refund for the unused period, but it was denied. I have now filed a complaint with the National Consumer Helpline.

Incident:

I’m looking for practical advice on a consumer issue related to online fitness coach. (This guy is a fitness influencer on Instagram with around 5.5 lakh following, and powerful too as told Do whatever you want to do money won’t be refunded)

I joined a 3-month coaching program after seeing the coach’s Instagram. I paid ₹13,500 (₹2,000 on 15 March and ₹11,500 on 1 April).

Before payment, it was represented that the program would include:
* personalized coaching
* customised workout and diet
* weekly check-ins
* accountability
* form correction
* guidance
* call support
* video review support

I had clearly told him before joining that I already had access to workout plans through my Cult membership. My main reason for joining was active guidance, form correction, accountability, regular discussion, and personalized coaching support.

Timeline
promised start date: 1 April
actual effective start: 13 April
first follow-up: 18 April

I had also asked for support and responses in between because replies were delayed.
What was actually delivered
workout PDF
diet PDF
generic weekly follow-up messages like:
“This is a regular follow up msg, please ask if you have any doubts.”

I asked multiple specific questions related to:
exercise alternatives
workout changes
machine-based options
warm-up
stretching
weight tracking

I also requested cable-based workout changes on call and later on chat, but I did not feel the ongoing support matched what had been represented before payment.
There was no meaningful tracking of:
calorie intake
workout progression
reps / loads
body weight
ongoing accountability

Refund
I raised refund concerns early, within less than one month of the 3-month program.
I requested that the plan be treated as one month and asked for refund of the unused remaining period.
That request was denied. By saying that he had written in WhatsApp text that “once the plan is delivered no money will be refunded and if you leave midway no money will be refunded” ( while my concern is he was never serious about his services after taking money)

He also later blocked me on Instagram.
I have preserved:
payment proof
WhatsApp chats
promises made before payment
delayed start
repeated support requests
refund denial

I have already filed a complaint with National Consumer Helpline.

My question:
Froma a practical consumer perspective, do I have a reasonable case for partial refund?
Has anyone dealt with something similar, and what usually works next?