Jul 16, 2007 07:26 PM
7346 Views
I had a frustrating experience after booking an SX4 with Vitesse in Worli, Mumbai. After being told that I would ’’definitely’’ have my car delivered in around three weeks, there was no commitment from those guys even after six weeks. On making enquiries with some reliable sources I was told that the Maruti plant was shut down for annual maintenance for two weeks and no SX4s were being manufactured at all for some time. Also, they had estimated a far greater demand for the base version – VXi and each dealer was being promised only TWO to THREE ZXis a month. So if you happen to be one of those unlucky folks who have booked the SX4, check your own allotment letter and decide for yourself how long it will take for you to get your car.
The most intriguing fact is that Maruti seemed to have got their launch of SX4 completely botched up. No wonder one does not see them advertising the SX4 at all. Have you seen any adverts for it in the national press or on TV? The dream of taking on with class leader Honda will probably remain a dream after all. Maruti have certainly achieved something unique though - they have managed to create so many unhappy and disgruntled customers even BEFORE the SX4s has hit the road in a big way. Grant it to them folks - not many companies can pride themselves on such a feat!
Anyways coming back to my story - my patience finally ran out in the 7th week. I went back to the dealer and after lodging some vociferous protests and sending off a couple of noisy emails managed to get a refund along with interest for 7 weeks. I am told that this in itself is unusual, as most other dealers in Mumbai have been just stalling the customers on one pretext or the other if they asked for a refund.
In fact I looked upon this cancellation as a blessing in disguise and went back to my original choice of Honda City GXi. I took delivery of the City a few days ago and am enjoying driving it. More interesting was the fact that once the Honda guys realised that I was cancelling my SX4 they bent over backwards - Rs 10, 000 discount(unheard of for the City before SX4 hit the market), free anti-rust paint, competitive insurance quote(Rs 4000 less than their printed one) So all in all the City cost me around Rs 830, 000 rather than the Rs 850, 000. And most importantly I am driving it around rather than just drooling over the features of the SX4 and getting frustrated in the bargain.
So my advice to all those who are in a similar situation is that unless you are willing to wait till eternity for the SX4, and bite your fingernails as well as fingers off in the bargain, do the same and capitalise on the cancellation of SX4 to get a discount on the Honda City or a Verna.
