About two weeks ago, my Tata Swach finally gave up. No amount of cleaning the filter 1 and filter 3 helped. So it was time to buy a candle refill.
I asked around in my neighbourhood - nobody seemed to have it, nor did they know where I could get it. Someone suggested Dadar, where the big row of shops selling fans, household goods etc are situated.
I asked around in the biggest shops - no, they don’t have it. One of them suggested another shop. That shop said yes, we do stock it, but right now, there is a shortage and there’s no stock. Come back after a week!
Back to square one! I called their helpline, not really expecting any help. The voice was quite nice, asked me where I stayed, and then gave me the name and phone no of a shop in my area. Phoned the shop: Yes they have it! Went to the shop in the evening: they do have one bulb but it is defective, there are some impurities in it or some insects roaming about in the candle! Come back after two days, we’ll have it. I rang after 10 days, they still do not have it, there is a shortage, they say.
Finally, I have gone online and ordered it today. Let us see when it comes.
Why is an artificial shortage being created for spares? Does Tata want their Swach to go the way their Nano did?
18/11/11: I just want to add that I got the filter candle through courier today. It costs the same when ordered online. I have fitted it and my filter is OK again!