Jul 21, 2004 12:41 PM
21858 Views
(Updated Jul 21, 2004 12:41 PM)
Out of sheer frustration of dealing with Used Car Dealers in Bangalore and my inability to get a good Used Wagon R directly? I was suggested by a friend to try out TRUE VALUE ? the Used Cars Division of Maruti Udyog.
I visited the Website of Maruti Udyog and was impressed by the commitments made by Maruti Udyog on their True Value Cars.
Firstly, the reasons prompting me to look for a Wagon R:
I am a tall person and was using a Hyundai Santro wherein I found the location of the Gear Shaft extremely annoying as the same knocks my knees.
Besides, the Wagon R gives you better height.
The process of talking to various True Value Outlets started with almost every True Value Outlet with all Maruti Udyog Dealers in Bangalore ? I registered myself giving them my name and contact information and the car requirement. But, sadly nobody got back to me.
On June 30, 2004, I decided to call all of them all over again and Bimal Auto Agency said they have got a Wagon R just recently which had done approximately 22000 Kms. On requesting them to show the car to me they agreed to do so at 12.30 p.m.. However, they arrived with a Wagon R at 2.30 p.m. which had done 50000 Kms. and on being asked as to what happened to the other vehicle which had done 22000 Kms. ? they said that vehicle would be available at 4.30 p.m.
Finally, on speaking with the Managing Director of Bimal Auto Agency ? I got to see the vehicle at 5.00 p.m. though not in refurbished condition as they had intimated me about the same earlier. The deal was struck and few of the flaws noticed by a layman like me were pointed out and they committed to deliver the vehicle within 4 working days, however, I delayed taking the delivery of the vehicle for another 4 days.
In the meanwhile since I was able to get the contact numbers of some of the Maruti Udyog?s True Value Engineers ? I contacted them requesting them to ensure that the Vehicle was handed over to me with all the promises made by Maruti Udyog and to also verify the battery condition since the car is three years old. None of the True Value Engineers bothered to call me and confirm the status of the battery or the condition of the vehicle.
When I received the Vehicle ? I was shocked to notice the following:
Scratches below the fuel tank ? touched up with a paint brush.
Scratches on the bonnet
White spots on the left side front door
No Free Play in the clutch thus making the engaging of the second gear difficult.
Rattling in the Dash Board.
Front Speaker grill loose.
Rear Bumper Contours were visible by approximately 5 mm.
Doors alignment not done to satisfaction.
As a part of the deal True Value (Bimal Auto Agency) had agreed to fit the Maruti Genuine Roof Railer free of cost but when I got the car I found that the Roof Railer fitted was a local made one which was already coming off. Bimal Auto Agency?s True Value blamed their own Accessories Division for this mishap and later changed it to a Maruti Genuine Roof Railer (that?s what they claim atleast).
The Gear Zipped Boot was to be provided as it was missing.
I was furious on noticing this and decided to call up the General Manager (New Businesses) of Maruti Udyog True Value in Gurgaon. As usual he was not available and spoke to a colleague of his and reported the matter to him.
Immediately, Bimal Auto Agency got into action and took the car for necessary rectifications.
Despite all this unnecessary commotion Bimal Auto Agency handed the vehicle back to me with most of the problems attended to but leaving behind the following:
Left Side Front Door has pinholes in the paint finish ? the answer by their Service Engineer is that painting jobs normally take 4 to 5 days so these pinholes have appeared ? do they expect a customer to know the technicalities.
Right Side Rear Door has a dent.
Right Side Front Door Alignment not done. (somewhat done)
The Gear Zipped Boot was still not fitted. (now fitted)
Further to add to all this they bring the Certificate of Registration with all kinds of mistake in my address ? I had to point it out to them ? they did not even notice it themselves. To add more misery to the whole thing they have forgotten to enter the Hypothecation to the Finance Company in the Insurance Certificate.
Maruti Udyog claims the following which is absolutely untrue about their True Value:
Maruti Udyog claims ?We ensure that whenever you come to Maruti True Value to buy, sell or exchange a pre-owned car, you get nothing but the full value for your dealings, with your eyes closed.?
My reply: Thank God I dealt with them with my eyes open ? I wonder what would have happened if I had kept my eyes closed.
Maruti Udyog claims: that the vehicle can be transferred in the customer?s name and complete all the formalities and submit the documents with RTO within a day or two.
Bimal Auto Agency said that this is not possible ? it would take a minimum of 10 working days though they actually took six days.
Maruti Udyog claims: that they ascertain that the vehicle has not been involved in any third party case and they verify the bona fides of the seller and also carry out R.T.O. verifications before buying the car.
My reply: In two days time how do you achieve all this? They do not even give anything in writing.
The Accessory Division is not at all clear on their pricing ? I purchased a Steering Wheel Cover from them ? which their head of Accessories Department claims is not a Maruti Genuine Accessory but still it costed me Rs.1400/- compared to a Maruti Genuine Accessory which is priced at Rs.500/-.
Why does Maruti Udyog not fulfill its tall claims that they make of 120 points check and ensure complete customer satisfaction? Besides, they should insist on their Dealers only to sell Maruti Genuine Accessories.
Believe me if I had not been able to get hold of the telephone number General Manager (New Businesses) of Maruti Udyog True Value in Gurgaon ? I guess Bimal Auto Agency as well as Maruti Udyog?s True Value would have just dumped the vehicle on me.
I do understand that a Used Car would definitely look used and show some wear and tear unlike a new one but if this is the case then Why does Maruti Udyog make such tall claims on their website which they cannot live upto. Maruti Udyog claims: ?While buying, selling or exchanging a pre-owned car, going to the right place is all important, you can take your chances with the local roadside mechanic or depend forever on friends and colleagues or gamble with classified advertisements or fix up a deal with the small-time used car dealer. Or, you could simply choose to enjoy all the advantages of dealing directly with India's most trusted car company.?
Last but not the least I am yet to receive an Invoice or Receipt from them for the purchase of a Maruti Udyog?s True Value Car. As per Maruti Udyog, the documents that a buyer gets when he buys a True Value car - Get a certificate signed by Maruti Suzuki engineer. A warranty booklet signed by Maruti Suzuki Engineer. A certificate card. Registration transferred in your name. Sure, I have received the Warranty booklet signed by the Maruti Suzuki Engineer and the Registration transferred in my name but I have not received any Certificate signed by the Maruti Suzuki Engineer and No Certificate Card.
Check their website: https://truevalue.marutiudyog.com
Overall I am satisfied with the driving of a Wagon R and you may wish to read my review on the same but I am certainly not fully satisfied with Maruti Udyog?s and Bimal Auto Agency?s True Value.
