[godog]

I'm surprised, nee flummoxed, to see that DRIVEN has not been mentioned since this part of the tbhp world came up!

After having transacted at DRIVEN about four (?) times in the course of the last 12 odd months, I'd like to put a penny's worth in about the experience.

In short, never seen a businessman like Mr. Rana. Of-course the quality of ICE installs is superlative, as testimonials will prove, it is the camaraderie that Mr. Rana can induce as soon as you introduce yourself. A gracious and humble man.

On the other hand, I have sensed a wedge driven between Gyro and Driven fanboys, something I haven't fully understood. It could be because I'm an 18 month old newbie, or because I'm naive, or both.
In any case, and the detractors may prove me wrong, the business ethic of this place is exemplified by Mr. Rana's suggestions to visit other - competitor's- shops before you make up your mind. After a while, he's like "Our man in the Industry" or the person to go to when you're confused about an audio install.




SPECIALIST in: ICE installs

ALSO available: All Other Car Accessories (or nearly all)

[godog]

Mr Rana can be Reached at: 9899330008

[forbhaskarm]

Where is this place located?

[rx2389]

Originally Posted by forbhaskarm

Where is this place located?

E-7, On Rd To Nehru Place, Metro Pillar# 185,
East Of Kailash, Delhi - 110065
(Landmark - Its in the same bldg as Proline showroom)

Proprietor:
Mr M L Rana
+(91)-(11)-46522552
+(91)-9899330008

[tsk13]

Originally Posted by rx2389

E-7, On Rd To Nehru Place, Metro Pillar# 185,
East Of Kailash, Delhi - 110065
(Landmark - Its in the same bldg as Proline showroom)

Proprietor:
Mr M L Rana
+(91)-(11)-46522552
+(91)-9899330008

Mr. Rana isn't the proprietor. It has a Red board, few buildings ahead of Big Apple.

[naru]

I know there are a lot of Driven bhakts here, but I've had a bad experience at the place.

Went to get Bull comps. Wasn't in stock so I was told go for Rainbow Titans which are "infinitely better". Took the advice, and went for it, but found them to be too bright for my taste.

"Don't worry," I was told, Bulls will be in stock in a week and then i can audition those too and then decide which ones I wanted. "Listen to Rainbows for 15-20 days, they'll get better, if you still don't like them, we'll change them. Don't worry. Your money is safe with us."

ok, I call up after a week, was given a time for the following week. Went there, got Bulls installed, found they had more thump, and decided to go for them, partly because they were 3k cheaper.

Then I'm told, "you'll have to pay 20% of the Rainbows' cost because you've used them for 15 days."

I was like What??!! why didnt you tell me this when you were giving me all the homilies about my money being safe and we'll keep changing till you're satisfied. So Mr Rana gets all pious about how he's got such a reputation that he cant pass on "used" stuff as new, and he's sorry that he wasted my time and he didn't mention this before but this is his policy, and how 1500 bucks is nothing and how people spend thousands and thousands on ICE. And how he's already made out the bill and given it to his CA and can't be undone...

So the upshot's I ended up paying extra, and that too for something that I didn't want in the first place. there's something cheaper and better (I know some people will sneer at this, but for my needs) out there that I missed.

[panky12345]

@naru: Sorry to hear about your experience. My friends have had bad experiences at driven/like, but I wont be saying up here as the Tbhp policy says this directory is for trusted dealers only.

Thats why it's often advised to audition products BEFORE you buy. You went in for a product based purely on recommendations, which, unfortunately are not everytime correct.

[naru]

Originally Posted by panky12345

@naru: Sorry to hear about your experience. My friends have had bad experiences at driven/like, but I wont be saying up here as the Tbhp policy says this directory is for trusted dealers only.

Thats why it's often advised to audition products BEFORE you buy. You went in for a product based purely on recommendations, which, unfortunately are not everytime correct.

Actually, Rule # 9 says Feel free to reply to any thread, especially if you have an experience (positive / negative) to share on the same vendor.

At Driven, the auditions were in the car itself, not in the shop. The Bulls later on also were installed in the car and then taken all out. My grouse is I was led to believe that I could change the install if I didnt like it.

[panky12345]

Originally Posted by naru

Actually, Rule # 9 says Feel free to reply to any thread, especially if you have an experience (positive / negative) to share on the same vendor.

At Driven, the auditions were in the car itself, not in the shop. The Bulls later on also were installed in the car and then taken all out. My grouse is I was led to believe that I could change the install if I didnt like it.

Naru bro, please read carefully.. not me but my friends have had experiences. As such, I would reserve my comments here.

So, you mean to say you didn't install bulls even, given the quality of service at driven??

[naru]

Originally Posted by panky12345

Naru bro, please read carefully.. not me but my friends have had experiences. As such, I would reserve my comments here.

So, you mean to say you didn't install bulls even, given the quality of service at driven??

Retained the Rainbows.
Actually, its not my case to discredit any vendor. Its just that this happened very recently and Im still pretty pissed.

[panky12345]

Originally Posted by naru

1. Retained the Rainbows.

2. Actually, its not my case to discredit any vendor. Its just that this happened very recently and Im still pretty pissed.

Am afraid at the price that you're looking for your rainbows is way too high.. (unless someone buys it and resells them as new).

Its good that you shared your valuable experience here. Thats what we're all here for.. unbiased opinions & experiences!!

[naru]

Just trying my luck. Don't really expect anything.

And never thought of posting this, till I saw the gracious and humble and business ethics bit.

[godog]

Originally Posted by naru

Just trying my luck. Don't really expect anything.

And never thought of posting this, till I saw the gracious and humble and business ethics bit.

thats what MY experience said!
Your case has served as a yellow flag (what with the fifa world cup on these days :P ), and will certainly serve as a note of caution for the rest of us. The quality of installation is much better here than at most other places, and this is still a place I'd go to for all odds and ends, albeit with more perked up ears...



PS: if such a case of backtracking ever occurs with another bhpian, it is advised that you do NOT concede ground, and INSIST that word be kept. This is more relevant to Driven, as this place is Primarily marketed through word of mouth. At TBHP (Where else?). If the situation calls for it, get other bhpians into the fray.

@naru: have u introduced yourself as a bhpian?

[anonymous]

I also have good experience at Driven. I got my setup installed there few years back. After the install done, I went there few times as I was not satisfied with the sound quality, every time I visited the shop, I was treated with the same respect.

[naru]

This directory is a great idea. But let's not try to kid ourselves or other users. If you're willing to throw large sums of money in a shop, you WILL generally find the shopkeeper to be on his best behavior. Those on a budget may not necessarily get the same treatment.

I thought Driven was as shrewd and canny as the next shop. But, boy, was I wrong!

Mr Rana called me up after he got to know about my posts here. "I didn't realize you were so upset. If you feel this way, I'll change the set-up and pay the difference from my own pocket."

"I can stand any loss, except that of reputation."

My set-up cost just 17k. Small change for a high-end specialist like Driven. I could easily have been ignored, or engaged in a my-word-vs-your-word war here. But Mr Rana's response was, to use godog's words, gracious and humble.

Now, I can see where Godog's coming from: Never seen a businessman like Mr. Rana. And my case totally displays the business ethics of the place.

The quality of work at Driven is already well known, but I'll recommend this place for the experience of dealing with Mr Rana.

Two thumbs up