Just sharing my experience at Kothari Cars, Pune(Hyundai Dealer):
I booked a Santro Xing with ABS sometime in the 2nd week of August and was told that it normally takes about 3 weeks to ship(ABS is a special made-to-order feature on the Santro - well worth the cost and wait too I must say). I paid the advance, and waited.
And waited. and waited.
After 3 weeks, I have to go back and ask’what happened to the car I ordered - is it shipped yet?’. They say no, and will be shipped in a week and half(after confirming with Hyundai regional office in Mumbai). A week and half later, again I go and ask what happened?
Well, to make a long story short, the car is shipped about 6 weeks after I have ordered it. Which is not Kothari Cars’ fault(but read on).
Do I get a call from them saying the car is shipped? NO I have to go and ask when I am told(in the afternoon) ’Yes - we got the dispatch notice today morning’. Well well.(This is on monday - 19th September)
2 days later(Wednesday 21st), again I go and ask very nicely(and of course, oozing sarcasm)’Don’t you people need some DOCUMENTS for RTO registration?’ Pat comes the reply - Of course we do - haven’t you given them yet?. Duh.
The same day I also ask how much I am supposed to pay(after deducting my advance). I was told(by the head of sales mind you!) I’ll ring you back and tell you how much. So much for that. Next day(Thursday) I have go there and ask again.
Friday arrives, and I make my payment, and am told’yes, you can collect your car on Saturday - everything will be sorted out’. I also decide the accessories(reverse horn, etc) and leave, happy that the car is FINALLY coming .(big f’in hopes)
On saturday, I’discover’ that because I made my payment on friday, and saturday was a 4th saturday(RTO closed), the car won’t be registered till Monday. I say oh well, I’ll take the car home anyway. So it gets parked in my garage.
A side note about my car delivery - they punched a hole() in the dash near the steering column(without asking me, mind) for the reverse horn switch, rather than a nice-looking spot provided by Hyundai, because Everyone gets the switch put there - They of course don’t give a flying damn that it spoils the whole getup of the car - I’ve paid for it anyway!
(you are probably wondering how much longer I will rant - its quite a bit more from here)
Monday arrives, and the dude comes to take a tracing of the engine number(Pleasant Surprise - Their FIRST proactive move!) Tuesday I’m told that the ’signatures on the RTO registration form and my PAN card don’t match(Marathi vs. English), can I please sign again?’
I am not able to sign the dox that day, or the next(out of town), so I do the needful on Thursday(29th), at which point I’m told that’tomorrow is a half-day for the RTO, and saturday they have a holiday -(I don’t believe the last part, ’cos Pune RTO works 1st and 3rd saturday. Oh Well .) - so your registration will be done on Monday the 3rd’
Big hopes, once again!
Monday(3rd October) arrives, and it seems that because I scratched out the old sign and put in a new one on the RTO Registration form, its not acceptable! I have to sign again. Tomorrow, being ANOTHER RTO holiday, my registration will be done on Wednesday. At least thats what they claim. Only time will tell .
Moral of the story:
Don’t buy from Kothari Hyunai Pune if at all possible(Sanjay Hyundai exists - try them insted)
If you have to buy from Kothari, please remember that YOU, the customer, is expected to do ALL the running around, and not them. Their communication is SO bad that I’m surprised I got my car at all.
When you ask for add-ons, please SIT THERE and ensure that everything happens as per your liking and desires. Otherwise, they WILL screw it up.
Update 2005-10-24 Finally got around to photographing the’evidence’ - https://hrishi.org/fsckedsantro.jpg
Update 2005-10-26 I got my car serviced(1st servicing) from Sanjay Hyundai(the other dealer in Pune). Pretty good service with the servicing. I also had visited the showroom with a friend who was looking to buy a Getz. That too was quite good. Only problem is that the showroom is on Mumbai-Pune highway, and is invisible from the main road(its at Alandi/Vishrantwadi crossing - just behind Bajaj Garden)