MyTVS @ Millennium is simply too good!. Review on MyTvs - Chennai

My Indica DLE stopped charging its battery on a rainy Friday evening; With head lights on, wipers constantly waving at the Chennai monsoonclouds - pleading in typical nursery style- " rain rain go away" - but what indeed went away was my peace of mind - when at the traffic signal when lights turned green, my self-starter simply refused to crank - I was holding a long line of cars waiting to charge ahead at the green signal - vehicles hissing at my back and trying to wish me away by their incessant honking - my god! It really was one helluva experience! Ok, that build-up was to suitably over-emphasize the importance of proper care of car-electrical in rainy seasons.

Coming back, I headed for the nearest TATA authorized service station (one KLNAutomobiles, in Ekkatuthangal, Chennai) They promptly told me that my alternator had problems properly charging the batteries - they suggested that I get an overhauling done for the alternator - which they would get done from the OEM of the alternator - Lucas TVS - and that it would cost around Rs.7000 - I did not take that advise - tried to see who were all the other car service stations in that locale - using Sulekha classifieds - on line - promptly a couple of them called me over phone and assured service - I visited the first guy who called me- one Annam Car care - at Jafferkhan pet behind KK nagar bus depot.The initial talk was fairly cordial, he offered to check the alternator and then agreed to suggest the options- did call me promptly to tell that the alternator indeed has conked off - also said it may not be a good idea to overhaul it with Lucas, better to go in for a new one - this guy also told me that it would cost something between Rs.18000-21000/- Something warned me inside my snoopy tiny brain that there is something fishy in this, all is not quite right - hence I called up LucasTVS - found out after a full two-to-threedozen calls the approximate retail price of the alternator that would fit my Indica DLE - it was a reasonable Rs.7000/- Somebody at Lucas was also kind enough to suggest a trader who might be able to sell me this at that rate. Now where is Rs.7000/- for an overhaul (KLN autos) - where isRs.21, 000 for a replacement (Annam Car care) when a new alternator costs just around Rs.7000.

I was totally confused as to who was really reasonable;Then I accidentally bumped into Millennium motors who are an authorized multi-brand TVS service station- they agreed to fix up the alternator that I had bought elsewhere - this normally no large service stations agree to do - anyway I was happily surprised to find this plain speaking customer relations person even commit the service charges over phone - to the last rupee in fact - a Rs. 480/- for alternator replacement. I took the car without wasting any time and they gave me an instant attention - the car was driven inside straight to the hydraulic jack to lift it up and the work started even as I was standing in the workshop watching what & how they do it - (this is again not many would allow) - they completed the replacement in a cool 30 minutes and charged precisely what they committed over phone - Rs.480 - To top it all they said it costs just about Rs.2600 to get it overhauled at LucasTVS and they would undertake to do that, if I wished - They also did many small check ups and remedial actions without my asking. Overall they gave me a sense of satisfaction that is hard to even aspire for these days. I felt my car was in safe hands and I was in company of honest people. I straight away signed up for an annual car care & breakdown assistance membership program of MyTVS for Rs.1250/- Here again no marketing stunts - no tall-talking about the value for money perceptions etc etc - the plain honest approach was so naked that it hits you - overwhelms you - at least it did to me; I am sure it would impress any down-to-the earth-person. I am so happy that I found atleast one reliable service station in my neighborhood - who were also able to expose the kind of cheating that goes on elsewhere. I wish to make few sermons, if somebody cares to listen...

Friends, never ever ask to replace entire spare part(s) with workshops like Annam Car Care or even KLN automobiles; if you have to anyway, do check up the cost of the parts and the service charges from more than one source - they all tend to take less-informed persons for a solid super jolly ride - however don't bother if you have enough money to burn - That said, most of these service stations do have good mechanics who will perhaps do a ok job. but it is the salesmanship and the sales-marketing ethics that leaves a lot to be desired.  I have wowed never to step into KLN motors;  and Annam Car Care? oh no way! I would also suggest to all mouthshut-Chennai-tes to shun teh ilk of Annan Car Care. I wish to  continue to assess (& post if needed) even the 'good-for-now-Millennium motors' service quality - but a rose that smells nice now needs to be appreciated; would perhaps continue to smell nice I hope - I give a clean chit for Millennium Motors - Ekkatuthangal, Chennai - Experience the difference - You would not be let down. Thanks & buy till yet another post! Take care.