Thread Starter
#1
Just wanted to share a horrible experience we had with Sre Shashti Cars, Tirupur while buying our latest car - Swift ZDI.
The whole experience was cumbersome, which made me feel so bad about Maruti's dealerships as a whole while i come from a Honda background for a decade.
The first time i went to the dealership, i thought it was a great place and the experience would be fine considering the many cars in my FIL's family which were taken there. But, i was zeroed down. How? Read on:
Prologue - This is noting about the dealer's mistake:
We had booked Swift VDI + ABS in the month of March. Waiting period was 6 months. We decided to wait.
During the waiting period, the new swift's launch was scheduled. So, we opted to go for the new swift.
We got a letter from Maruti too that we will be upgraded to the new swift.
All were happy until the news about no ABS in VDI popped up.
It was decided no compromise on safely. So, ZDI was booked and full amount (Ex-Showroom was paid) assuming that we will be getting the vehicle first (FIL's view).
Due to the strike, it was very much understandable that they will not be able to give the car on time. We decided to wait since it was not their fault.
Everything was fine until i went to the dealership to do a TD.
Day 1 incident:
We went to the dealership to have a TD done on the car.
Sadly, the response was: Sir, no TD since you have already paid the full amount. I was like WTH?
(May be the dealer thought that i was a person without any knowledge on automobiles looking at my khadi shirt and grey pant (politician style)).
I was keeping a innocent face and looks to check out what are the kind of gimmicks that the dealers will do to a person without knowledge on automobiles?
I was requesting them for a TD and finally after 30 minutes of negotiation, i got the TD car - Swift ZDI.
Forgot all the incidents that happened inside the dealership and did a TD for about 20 minutes and was happy with a lot of features that is pretty similar to my current ride - Honda City iVTEC.
Once TD was done, i called up the SE and asked for a brochure and the response was new car - no brochure yet. Agreed the excuse.
I then asked for features and here starts the bitter experience - Everyone were having a $ in their eyes as if i asked something new.
They said the following:
SE 1: It is swift sir, amazing car. You don't know about swift eh?
SE 2: Swift is the top selling car and waiting period is huge and the car is in high demand. Diesel version is the best in India.
Me: Please tell me the features
SE 2: Alloy wheels, fog lamp, disk break, Blah blah blah.
Me: I did check out ACC feature. Can you tell me about it?
SE 1 & SE 2: Sir, this is the first thing in Maruti and the best. Only cars above 10 lakhs have these features.
Me: Sorry i did not understand. I asked for what is ACC?
SE 1: Automatic AC. Ac switches on and off automatically.![[frustration]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Frustration.gif "Frustration [frustration]")
SE 2 adds: Moreover it will ensure that you are cool sitting in the car always.
Me: Mam, i have paid for the car already. Please don't worry about me cancelling the booking. I will take the car. But, curious to know some things.
SE 2: Sir, this car is in high demand and even if your booking is cancelled - The amount will be given immediately.
My instant reaction - A furious red face and abuse awaiting right in the lips. Had to control since my FIL was standing right beside me![[cry]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Cry.gif "Cry [cry]")
.
And left a note to the 2 useless SE's that i own Hondas for a decade and i know about cars. And added - I'm a avid reader of blogs and know what happens in the industry.
SE 1 & 2 curiously: What is blog?
Me: Online forums where they discuss about cars, bikes, busses and stuffs.
Gave a simple smile with a sarcastic look. No use talking to these stupids and wasting my time.
Let me move on and left the dealership thanking for the TD.
A Month before:
A month before i got the car delivered, a call came from the dealership informing that they have their first ZDI in the dealership and it was red color. Rejected it.
SE 1: Sir, don't miss this car. Color is good.
Me: Auspicious reasons. Red cannot be taken.
Then came a threat - Sir, if you miss this car, we cannot tell you how long will it take for you to get the required color. So, take this one.
I went little mad this time and started on a high tone.
Me: Listen - I am the customer and you are a dealer. I buy what you sell and i don't have to buy whatever you sell.
I don't want red/ black. Any other colors can be considered.
SE: Ok thank you. Bang. Call ended.
After a few weeks, a call came from FIL that a white ZDI was available (The SE had skipped me despite instructions were given to contact me). So, thought it was also a good color. Why not we go for it?
Got the SE's number and called her and discussed about the car.
SE 1: Sir, this car is available. Tell you decision in 10 minutes.
Me: Wait. I need further information on the car.
SE 1: What information you need?
Me: VIN number.
SE 1: VIN number? That will be available only if you confirm this car.
Me: (Little frustrated) I need the VIN to decide on the car. If not, let me speak to your manager.
SE 1: I can give you the chaisis number.
Me: Ok. Please give it.
SE 1: I will call you back.
Me: Thank you.
After 30 minutes, a call came back.
SE 1: Sir, we are not giving you the car.
Me: Why?
SE 1: You had opted for Silver so it will be ready in 2 weeks.
Me: Then why you asked me for a white car?
SE 1: Sorry sir, we have commited the car to another person.
We had a huge argument and i was wondering why they were stepping back when i asked for VIN (Old lot?).
Conclusion: We await for the silver car.
3 weeks later, we got a call and they said silver color has arrived.
Me: Please give me the vin number?
SE 2: xxxxxxxxxx is you VIN, xxxxxxx is your enginer number.
Me: When can i come to see the car and do a PDI?
SE 2: PDI will be done by the manufacturer itself. You don't have to do it.
Me: Nope. PDI is what a customer will do. The manufacturer does quality checks.
SE 2: Let me check if you can see the car.
Call on hold.
SE 1: Sir, you can get a PDI done post invoicing.
Me: (Tired of arguing with these idiots & confirming that it was a December manufactured car) Ok fine (Betting that it should be good).
Later discussion about the registration:
SE 1: We will register the car for you.
Me: I need a fancy number 2233 or 2323.
SE 1: We will check with the RTO broker and get back to you.
Me: Thank you.
After a good 2 hours, a call came.
Me: Is the number available?
SE 1: No.
Me: Why? The running series is 1000 and how come i not get it?
SE 1: The number was already commited to another customer. So, we cannot do it for you.
Me: Ok then i will try.
SE 1: No. Don't try. Another customer needs it.
Me: You are not a RTO to decide on it. So, i will check with RTO.
SE 1: Your wish. Thank you.
Checked with RTO post providing our invoice and the number 2233 was blocked by some other person who is awaiting a Audi with a letter from secretriat (Dealer was fooling the other person also i suppose).
The number 2323 was already registered to a Honda Accord.
So, we decided to go for another number. Got yet another fancy number.
Called the dealership and discussed about registration date. This was the worst of all experiences.
Me : I need the car to be registered in January, 2012.
SE 1: Not possible. We need to close this for you by this month (Dec, 2011).
Me: Listen, i am not bothered about your deadlines. I want this to be registered in January and thats my requirement. I am ready to speak with whom so ever it is.
SE 1: The car is already invoiced. So, you need to register it in 5 days.
ME: I will call you back.
I was like hell to your dealership after knowing the fact that invoicing and registration can happen based on customer's requirement. And timeline is not definitely 5 days (My previous car's invoice and delivery took place in a gap of 1.5 months).
Meantime, SE 2 had called FIL and had told that if the car is not taken in 2-3 days, it will be given to someone else.
FIL was also very annoyed by the act of the dealership. I told him that the dealership cannot force us to do the registration based on the invoicing date and moreover they cannot give the car to someone else once it was invoiced.
Since we were not ready to go and keep explaining to the silly guys, we decided to take a delivery in the same month.
The over all experience and language used by the dealership was like buying some vegetable from a vegetable vendor![[anger]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Anger.gif "Anger [anger]")
.
So, guys my sincere advice is to be safe with this dealership and discuss the terms prior.
The whole experience was cumbersome, which made me feel so bad about Maruti's dealerships as a whole while i come from a Honda background for a decade.
The first time i went to the dealership, i thought it was a great place and the experience would be fine considering the many cars in my FIL's family which were taken there. But, i was zeroed down. How? Read on:
Prologue - This is noting about the dealer's mistake:
We had booked Swift VDI + ABS in the month of March. Waiting period was 6 months. We decided to wait.
During the waiting period, the new swift's launch was scheduled. So, we opted to go for the new swift.
We got a letter from Maruti too that we will be upgraded to the new swift.
All were happy until the news about no ABS in VDI popped up.
It was decided no compromise on safely. So, ZDI was booked and full amount (Ex-Showroom was paid) assuming that we will be getting the vehicle first (FIL's view).
Due to the strike, it was very much understandable that they will not be able to give the car on time. We decided to wait since it was not their fault.
Everything was fine until i went to the dealership to do a TD.
Day 1 incident:
We went to the dealership to have a TD done on the car.
Sadly, the response was: Sir, no TD since you have already paid the full amount. I was like WTH?
(May be the dealer thought that i was a person without any knowledge on automobiles looking at my khadi shirt and grey pant (politician style)).
I was keeping a innocent face and looks to check out what are the kind of gimmicks that the dealers will do to a person without knowledge on automobiles?
I was requesting them for a TD and finally after 30 minutes of negotiation, i got the TD car - Swift ZDI.
Forgot all the incidents that happened inside the dealership and did a TD for about 20 minutes and was happy with a lot of features that is pretty similar to my current ride - Honda City iVTEC.
Once TD was done, i called up the SE and asked for a brochure and the response was new car - no brochure yet. Agreed the excuse.
I then asked for features and here starts the bitter experience - Everyone were having a $ in their eyes as if i asked something new.
They said the following:
SE 1: It is swift sir, amazing car. You don't know about swift eh?
SE 2: Swift is the top selling car and waiting period is huge and the car is in high demand. Diesel version is the best in India.
Me: Please tell me the features
SE 2: Alloy wheels, fog lamp, disk break, Blah blah blah.
Me: I did check out ACC feature. Can you tell me about it?
SE 1 & SE 2: Sir, this is the first thing in Maruti and the best. Only cars above 10 lakhs have these features.
Me: Sorry i did not understand. I asked for what is ACC?
SE 1: Automatic AC. Ac switches on and off automatically.
SE 2 adds: Moreover it will ensure that you are cool sitting in the car always.
Me: Mam, i have paid for the car already. Please don't worry about me cancelling the booking. I will take the car. But, curious to know some things.
SE 2: Sir, this car is in high demand and even if your booking is cancelled - The amount will be given immediately.
My instant reaction - A furious red face and abuse awaiting right in the lips. Had to control since my FIL was standing right beside me
.And left a note to the 2 useless SE's that i own Hondas for a decade and i know about cars. And added - I'm a avid reader of blogs and know what happens in the industry.
SE 1 & 2 curiously: What is blog?
Me: Online forums where they discuss about cars, bikes, busses and stuffs.
Gave a simple smile with a sarcastic look. No use talking to these stupids and wasting my time.
Let me move on and left the dealership thanking for the TD.
A Month before:
A month before i got the car delivered, a call came from the dealership informing that they have their first ZDI in the dealership and it was red color. Rejected it.
SE 1: Sir, don't miss this car. Color is good.
Me: Auspicious reasons. Red cannot be taken.
Then came a threat - Sir, if you miss this car, we cannot tell you how long will it take for you to get the required color. So, take this one.
I went little mad this time and started on a high tone.
Me: Listen - I am the customer and you are a dealer. I buy what you sell and i don't have to buy whatever you sell.
I don't want red/ black. Any other colors can be considered.
SE: Ok thank you. Bang. Call ended.
After a few weeks, a call came from FIL that a white ZDI was available (The SE had skipped me despite instructions were given to contact me). So, thought it was also a good color. Why not we go for it?
Got the SE's number and called her and discussed about the car.
SE 1: Sir, this car is available. Tell you decision in 10 minutes.
Me: Wait. I need further information on the car.
SE 1: What information you need?
Me: VIN number.
SE 1: VIN number? That will be available only if you confirm this car.
Me: (Little frustrated) I need the VIN to decide on the car. If not, let me speak to your manager.
SE 1: I can give you the chaisis number.
Me: Ok. Please give it.
SE 1: I will call you back.
Me: Thank you.
After 30 minutes, a call came back.
SE 1: Sir, we are not giving you the car.
Me: Why?
SE 1: You had opted for Silver so it will be ready in 2 weeks.
Me: Then why you asked me for a white car?
SE 1: Sorry sir, we have commited the car to another person.
We had a huge argument and i was wondering why they were stepping back when i asked for VIN (Old lot?).
Conclusion: We await for the silver car.
3 weeks later, we got a call and they said silver color has arrived.
Me: Please give me the vin number?
SE 2: xxxxxxxxxx is you VIN, xxxxxxx is your enginer number.
Me: When can i come to see the car and do a PDI?
SE 2: PDI will be done by the manufacturer itself. You don't have to do it.
Me: Nope. PDI is what a customer will do. The manufacturer does quality checks.
SE 2: Let me check if you can see the car.
Call on hold.
SE 1: Sir, you can get a PDI done post invoicing.
Me: (Tired of arguing with these idiots & confirming that it was a December manufactured car) Ok fine (Betting that it should be good).
Later discussion about the registration:
SE 1: We will register the car for you.
Me: I need a fancy number 2233 or 2323.
SE 1: We will check with the RTO broker and get back to you.
Me: Thank you.
After a good 2 hours, a call came.
Me: Is the number available?
SE 1: No.
Me: Why? The running series is 1000 and how come i not get it?
SE 1: The number was already commited to another customer. So, we cannot do it for you.
Me: Ok then i will try.
SE 1: No. Don't try. Another customer needs it.
Me: You are not a RTO to decide on it. So, i will check with RTO.
SE 1: Your wish. Thank you.
Checked with RTO post providing our invoice and the number 2233 was blocked by some other person who is awaiting a Audi with a letter from secretriat (Dealer was fooling the other person also i suppose).
The number 2323 was already registered to a Honda Accord.
So, we decided to go for another number. Got yet another fancy number.
Called the dealership and discussed about registration date. This was the worst of all experiences.
Me : I need the car to be registered in January, 2012.
SE 1: Not possible. We need to close this for you by this month (Dec, 2011).
Me: Listen, i am not bothered about your deadlines. I want this to be registered in January and thats my requirement. I am ready to speak with whom so ever it is.
SE 1: The car is already invoiced. So, you need to register it in 5 days.
ME: I will call you back.
I was like hell to your dealership after knowing the fact that invoicing and registration can happen based on customer's requirement. And timeline is not definitely 5 days (My previous car's invoice and delivery took place in a gap of 1.5 months).
Meantime, SE 2 had called FIL and had told that if the car is not taken in 2-3 days, it will be given to someone else.
FIL was also very annoyed by the act of the dealership. I told him that the dealership cannot force us to do the registration based on the invoicing date and moreover they cannot give the car to someone else once it was invoiced.
Since we were not ready to go and keep explaining to the silly guys, we decided to take a delivery in the same month.
The over all experience and language used by the dealership was like buying some vegetable from a vegetable vendor
.So, guys my sincere advice is to be safe with this dealership and discuss the terms prior.
Last edited:
![[:)]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Smile.gif "Smile [:)]")
. Sometimes being harsh can be slight helpful . Being hard on sales rep is a waste of time instead find some person on a higher post . This usually does the trick for me . 
