I purchased 1 Hitachi Double-Motor Windows AC around 2.5 years back. Last year, I got it serviced by Hitachi’s service center (Khabar) in Noida for Rs 350/-. At that time, service was good and AC worked fine whole season.
This year, I again registered a SR11031600046 on 16th Mar, 2011. I was told that service change has been increased upto Rs 550/-. I was shocked to notice more than 50% increase in service charge, but I was determined to get it service by Hitachi so that only experience people should handle my AC.
AC got serviced on 18th Mar, 2011. In April, when I tried to use it, I found that it was not giving cooling. I again registered a SR11041300073 on 13th Apr. The service engineer told that AC has lost its GAS, so they would charge us for re-filling the gas. I tried to speak to their service Manager Mr. Maninder Singh. At first, he did not accept his deficiency in service, but on arguing, he said-"Our GAS filling charges are Rs 2600 plus transport cost, but in your case, we would charge only Rs 1500/- since you are saying that it has been caused by Hitachi." I felt cheated by Hitachi. I told the service engineer to check all the AC so that they should not create any new defect in AC while filling GAS. He said-"I have checked the AC, it has no problem other than GAS".
Hitachi people got the AC picked up next day (i.e. on SUnday-17th Apr, 2011). Today (i.e. on 19th April, 2011) when they came back with AC (with refilled GAS), the swing did not work on both side. On asking, Hitachi people said that Swing motor is weak, so it needs replacement for Rs 175.
I checked with other collegues in office. As per the, GAS refilling charges are only RS 1500 all in-clusive. It simply means people like Mr. Maninder Singh are cheating the public. EIther they do not know how to service AC or they are crating faults in AC knowingly and charging people like anything.
In the whole episode, I feel that -
First Hitachi people created GAS leakage problem by mis-handling during wet AC service
Their Manager Maninder Singh told lies that GAS charges are Rs 2600 plus tarnsport charges.
They created Swing motor defect.
I do not advice anyone to purchase Hiatchi AC. LG and other ACs are better even if they cause GAS problems because Hitachi AC is no exception and it costs Rs 10, 000/- more as compare with other similer ACs. And its service team at Noida looting general people.