Jul 06, 2011 12:39 PM
4302 Views
This is how I fell for the trap -
To be honest, we Indians have a tendency to go for'known devil' even if there are plenty of'angels' out there.
thats what happened to me as well. when I decided to buy a RO purifier I checked with my friends and every one said Aquaguard has very very bad service and asked me not to go for it.
Instead of trying new purifiers like KENT or Whirlpool from reputed makers, I went for the'Known Devil' - Aquaguard Reviva RO purifier(bought it for Rs. 10, 000). I thought better to stick with the masses(typical Indian'Goat' mentality). and that was the stupidest move I ever did!
Needless to say they have sales team who can convince you to buy tickets to hell without hesitation! They promise you that this machine will do miracle and make you buy it. but the moment you hand over your cheque their cell numbers are not reachable or switched off! I wonder how many SIMs they buy daily for each and every customer.
they promise free services every 3 months(4 free service per year) and you can mark their words in water. like thats going to happen!
This is what happened after I bought Aquaguard REVIVA -
I bought this 2 years before and the water TDS in my area was in 600 range(pretty normal for RO system). we were using this water for drinking only(say daily 8 litres)
this machine was working fine in the initial days and within 6 months the machine broke. It was not able to generate the pure water. I called the Eureka Forbes service line(39883333. option 2) and though service personals talk promisngly. the actions from service team is not prompt. Probably someone should tell them action speaks louder than words!
So my machine was under warranthy and within 6 months of normal usage with normal TDS it broke and the service person who attended my complaint(after one week of repeated calls) said the main RO filter itself is gone. but since mine was under waranty he had to replace it for free(with murmuring as though he is paying for it from his pocket!). and this time he replaced it with a second hand filter. I was sure about this since it did not have the sealing stickers at all.
and guess what, the machine broke again in another few months. again after one week of repeated calls the service person attended and I was told that this how the product is normally. he convinced me to sign for the AMC for 2 years for Rs. 6, 000. this is the second mistake I did since I did not want to waste the initial investment of Rs.10, 000 I have made in this product. I thought things are going to change after I sign AMC since the service franchisee is paid by me directly now(not that they have to give free service like during the first year of purchase- for name sake due to their tie up agreement with Eureka Forbes for which they might not be paid) and they are going to take me seriously there after. but I was wrong again.
No one attended for the free checkups every 3 months(as per the AMC they should!). and also they are not attending my calls. though I have this useless AMC with me(for wihch I paid 6000). now its more than week I am calling them and they are not showing up. I end up frustrated each time I have to call them. thanks to them I have to check my BP now:)
Serious issues with Aquaguard service:
Never call them for periodic maintenance(during free service time) when the machine is running fine
they do something during their inspection that you don't understand and make the machine fail within a week or so. this way they ensure you are forced to sign the AMC
Though the pamplets they present and the water test show you that your water is in normal range for the basic RO system they make you believe that you machine has to be supported by additional candle filter and other useless accesories through which they cash a lot of money. this is not told at the time of purchase!
They take away your OLD filters while they replace it. They charge us tousands of rupees(RO fileter is 2400 rs) for the new filter and I guess what you get is serviced old filters
If you question them why they need our faulty OLD filters, they give you lame answers as to it is a proof for them to have attended the complaint.
why can't they use the service order we sign yaar?
Solution:
Aquaguard should thake serious note of how pathetic their service is and take over the service from service franchisees that spoil their brand image. they should pitch in for Direct service. by having their own employees they can ensure quality of service.
wake up Eureka Forbes - its 2011 and not 1980 where you enjoy monopoly
people read review in internet and you are going to loose your share of the pie if you dont take any action
My sincere advise to fellow Indians -(I learnt from my mistake and I wish you do from'mine' and NOT'yours')
Gone are the days where
Cars are Maruti
TVs are SONY
Fridges are Godrej
ACs are Hitachi
Washing Machines are IFB
Bikes are Splendor
and
Purifiers are AQUAGUARD
Though above products are good. when you get equal quality(or even better quality) from its competitors with better service and for low cost. we should change our'Goat mind' and try it out.
When you get more features in Samsung or LG LCD for low cost than Sony with equal quality, why pay extra for the'prestige price tag'?
When you get better and cheaper service from LG or Samsung Washing Machine and AC(without copromise on performance) why go for IFB WM and Hitachi AC who charge you twice as much for service?
When you get better quality at competitive cost(product and labour) with Figo, why pay extra for over priced i10?
I believe Kent or Whirlpool have much more in stake than Eureka Forbes. they are not just in to water purifiers(they are in to all many more home appliances) so they might provide you better service I guess
A product is worth only as its service support is.
In case someone of high rank in EF is reading this. my service centre number are 22470536, 9840278020, 9500011090
