Oct 10, 2010 07:56 AM
12732 Views
Almost every gas agency tries to sell their customers more than what is required, and most of them succeed. This reason leads to a gas cylinders selling in the black market at a hefty price. When I first approached Kunjachan Gas Agency located at Vazhakkala, Padamugal, Kakkanad, Kochi 682030 back in May, I was told that purchasing a stove at the agency costing is mandatory to get a legal connection. The Bharat Gas website stated differently and I already possessed an ISI marked stove. After confirming the details with the zonal customer service representative, I went back in July but was told the agency had no application forms so I had to draft mine as a letter to the manager and would get a connection in 30 days.
Almost 30 days passed and no one came to inspect the stove, so I called the zonal office again to confirm the process. The very next day, there was a stove inspection. Again 3 weeks passed and I showed up at the agency to see what was happening with my application. I was told I could get my connection immediately if I purchased some utensils worth about Rs. 600 (at a third of the cost of the stove). The manager stated how he was not getting his commission on our account.
Unfortunately, my friend and I succumbed to this and got my connection at the end of August. I did narrate my experience to the Zonal office but got no response, as expected. The staff at this agency are not rude. They speak very little once they know you are not going to do business their way.
