Hi folks,
Want to raise a red flag against the said dealer Arya Honda, Mumbai. Do not buy any Honda cars from them, if you are planning to, do it at your risk, however I am sure, you will not think of going back to the dealer, once you read about my harrowing time and experience with them.
A quick question to all. Do you make 100% payment to a dealer before the dealer allots the car or before you see the car in person???
Date: 1st March-12th March 2014
Me and my colleague are entitled for company cars. It was only 2 years back that I had picked up 2012 Honda City V-AT from Solitaire Honda, so I again did not want to buy another 10 lac car, and hence I settled for Hyundai i10. However, my colleague was always a Honda fan, and he took this opportunity and decided to buy the Honda City. He knows that I am team-bhpian, therefore he requested me for my help in dealing with the dealers and helping him select the variant. After good amount of debate, we finally settled on Honda City SV-AT variant for the car.
As I had already dealt with Solitaire Honda in the past, I quickly called up my Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) to send me a quote for the 4th Generation Honda City Ivtec SV-AT. The CRM Solitaire Honda was up-front and honest to say that there is 4 months waiting for the car, even though it would be a corporate booking as there is lot of back log for the model. We were ok with this, as I was aware that in general 4 months is the waiting period all across Mumbai. Next, I asked my CRM to collect the booking amount cheque from us the subsequent day.
The next day, as my colleague was on his way to office, he came across Arya Honda at Bhandup, Mumbai. Since he also stays in Bhandup, over a tea he discussed with me on checking the car for the sake of checking with Arya Honda. I dialed there number, the receptionist transferred my call to one SA, Mr. Vikrant. I inquired about the variant and also informed that mine is a corporate booking, so entire amount will come from the company, hence what is the best you can do for delivery. Probably, out of excitement he committed 45 to 60 days to me. I cross questioned saying then why are other dealers saying 4 months, to which he convincingly replies, "that waiting is for V and Vx model and not for SV model, other dealers are fooling you sir."
I discuss with my colleague who also gets convinced and we call him to our office to collect the payment.
Date: 25th March 2014
SA, Vikrant never turned up to office to collect the cheque, we were also busy traveling, hence we couldn't go to the dealership any earlier. However on 25th March we touch base with Vikrant again to check if the car is still available in 45-60 days time frame, he again convinces us positively so in the evening we go and hand over the cheque of INR 51000/- to him. (I am attaching the receipt of payment giving by Arya Honda)
Going by 45 days commitment, technically we should have got the car by 2nd Week of May, if not that then at-least by Last week of May. From the day the dealership received the payment, till last week of May, there was not a single call back to us about further status. We were only following up and time and again false commitments were made to us regarding dispatch of the vehicle.
Date: 2nd June 2014
One fine morning on 2nd June, I get a call from another gentleman Sushant Gaonkar (ASM, Arya Honda) as my number is updated in DSR at Arya Honda. I pick up the call, the first thing, this person says, "Sir Payment Kab Karoge?" I was like, "Sorry whose is this". Then he introduces himself, and says "The car should leave factory by 7th of June, sir extremely sorry car got delayed due to Production Issues at Honda, by the time the payment is cleared, car keys would be in your hands".
Wow I say, first ever call from the dealership side, not bad. I tell him, that within a weeks time I will ask my company to disburse the amount, meanwhile you let me know the VIN number of the car that you are allotting to me. He gives a confirmatory yes and disconnects the call. From 2nd June till 9th June, every single day sometimes Sushant or Vikrant used to call up at-least 5 times a day with same question, "Sir, Payment Kab aayega". Finally my company did the RTGS on 10th June of INR 9,82,175. Balance payable INR 1,66,505/- After receiving the payment on 10th June, no follow up from the dealer.
14th June
I call up the dealer to check whether the car has come the stock-yard and to get the VIN Number. To which Sushant replies, sir we haven't received your payment.
I replied the company has already transferred 9.82 lacs in the account, please check. To which he replies "yes sir, we have received that amount but 1.66 lacs are pending. I tell him, that I will pay only when I see the car in the stock-yard, verify the car, the VIN number and check for any damages. No comes the surprise answer, he replies " No sir, we don't
allot the car unless the customer makes 100% payment. Its our company policy.
I calmly remind him of his statement of 2nd June, to which he replies "yes sir cars are being dispatched, but we will not be in position to allot you the car, unless our finance department receives 100% payment. We will simply transfer the car to somebody else who gives us 100% money, You can keep waiting".
I escalated the matter, and the receptionist transferred me to some Mr. Girish, portrayed himself as Sales Manager, but never come forward and tried to meet me in person. Even he was harping around the bush all these days.
18th June 2014
After creating some ruckus on phone, finally Sushant, came to meet me in office today. I told him again very clearly I am not going to make 10% balance payment unless you allot me the car, he kept arguing that it is the company policy and blah blah blah... So finally I tell him, please cancel my booking and refund the money, to which he hesitantly connects to Girish. I make him put the phone on speaker, and I tell to Girish, "Look if you can't allot me the car, refund me my money in 24 hrs". The reply that I get is class apart in today's era of modern trade. He says, "No problem sir, take back your money, bohot logg khade hain line main gaadi lene ke liye, it doesn't matter to me, I will sell the car to someone else."
If this is the attitude of the dealer personnel, God say Honda. I am definitely taking this up with higher-ups at Honda India as well as Honda Japan. Not because I have contacts, but because in today's day of business, such morons should not exists. We are regretting our decision of not buying the car from Solitaire Honda today.
For all those who want to deal with Arya Honda, one word. "Avoid", or be ready to be "Harassed".
It didn't really mattered to the dealership, that I am a Team-Bhpian, and I can very well spoil their name in social media.
When I told this to Girish, he simply said, "that's ok sir, 10-50 people will talk about this on your forum and nothing will happen, finally if you want the car you will have to pay the 10% balance, or I will not allot the car, its a "company policy"
Let me come back to my same question, with which I started.
"Do you make 100% payment to a dealer before the dealer allots the car or before you see the car in person???"