It was May 2008. Hot summer season. Until April, I was able to sustain the summers but finally in May I decided, that enough is enough, I need to get a AC. Considering the budget, I decided to get a Window AC.
Then the hunt started for a good brand AC. I went to CROMA. They had Onida, LG, SAMSUNG, Voltas, Eletrolux and Hitachi Window AC on display. I first opted for Samsung, inquired with the sales person and they informed me that they dont have no stock of it! I asked for Voltas, they checked and informed that there is no stock of Voltas too! Then finally I settled with Onida, it was 1.5 ton and cheaper by 2000/- then the other brands which also were not available! I paid them the entire amount and they promised me to deliver within two days!
After two days, I had to make several call to CROMA, until they finally delivered the ONIDA 1.5 ton(W018) at 11.45 pm! Now that was strange, but that was just the start!
ONIDA W018 Window AC was fitted and as soon as it was fitted.it started showing its true colors. It started making noise when started and the fitters told me that it is because the fan is having problem.! FIRST DAY, FIRST MOMENT and ONIDA AC started showing problems! I was shocked.but the fitters were cool! Looked like that as if that has become a usual routine to them. They said to me that’ you call our Onida center and ask for engineer’. First day and service call! The engineer when called, was also cool, he said he will come and he did come.but after two days!
That Engineer was a man from seventh planet. He said that nothing is wrong with the AC and it is making noise because the slope is not given properly. So I had to call the fitter again and after arguements between them and the engineer, the altered the slope and fitted the AC. Ironically these fitter were also from Onida!
The AC did stoped making noise, but that was just for 1 day. After that it started making noise that was unbearable and the engineer was again called for. This engineer was the same, and this time he had no mouth to say anything but accept the fact that the AC is faulty by default. He informed his supervisor - Gurudas. This person was also cool. He agreed to replace the AC. After two week and several call, the ONIDA WO18 AC finally arrived at 8.45 pm! Better than 11.45 pm. But that is not the end of the story.
This AC was replaced and fitted. Ironically, as soon as it was fitted it started making noise. The problem was the FAN. The fitter tightened the fan but still the noise was not ready to slow down. They told me to call the engineer. Oh Shit! This was a repeat. But I did called the engineer and he came and did some’trick’ and the noise was stopped and AC was fitted in the window. I thought finally the story is over and now no more calls and no more suffering.
The very next day, the noise started! And this time it was unbearable. I called the engineer and he came and he saw and he replaced the broken bowler with a new one. NEW AC and the parts were like this.oh god.that was a nightmare!
The AC started working without making any noise. After two days the AC stoppped cooling and midnight it started making strange noise and as it was going to blast, I turned off this ONIDA AC! Oh God.this was becoming unbearable. After counting 18k for this NEW AC, even for one day it never ever gave that sound chilling experience but only suffering till this moment. I called the engineer again, and he said that nothing to worry. He was cool and assured me that he will talk to Gurudas and Venkatesh who are the AC heads in Pune to replace the AC. He has just left by giving me this assurance. But god know who will trust these ONIDA guys that the second replacement would WORK and would be SAFE to use!
I am still shocked and wondering and’paying’ for buying ONIDA AC.