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Old 5th February 2017, 09:08   #1
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Maruti-Suzuki & Chennai dealer Indus Motors fined 1 lakh by consumer court

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/56964273.cms

Apparently Chennai based Maruti dealer Indus Motors sold a 2013 car as a 2014 model to the complainant, at the full 2014 (non discounted) rate, and he figured it out only after he saw the RC.

He took them to consumer court, which has taken three years to direct that Maruti Suzuki and the dealer must pay him Rs. 1 lakh compensation and 5,000 lawsuit costs.

Last edited by Gannu_1 : 5th February 2017 at 12:30. Reason: MUL > Maruti Suzuki.
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Old 5th February 2017, 09:37   #2
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Malpractices of this kind necessarily need to be punished.
These dealers at times can be unscrupulous rogues.
I think this is a good decision and I am glad the consumer benefited in the end.
Our biggest issue here in India is the terrible, congenital, institutionalized dishonesty and corruption at every level.
Every one has his/ her eye on the 'main chance' and actually deems it 'smart' when they outwit the guy across the table, even if they do so in a dishonest manner.
That is so sad dont you think?
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Old 5th February 2017, 09:47   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shankar.balan View Post
Malpractices of this kind necessarily need to be punished.
These dealers at times can be unscrupulous rogues.
Along with this blow in reputation to Maruti, they must take a stern action on the dealer.

Sad to see (Consumer court) take so long to act. Better late than never though.

Not sure what Maruti was thinking when they were indulging in which malpractice to cheat a customer

Last edited by a4anurag : 5th February 2017 at 09:57.
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Old 5th February 2017, 09:50   #4
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re: Maruti-Suzuki & Chennai dealer Indus Motors fined 1 lakh by consumer court

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Originally Posted by a4anurag View Post
Along with this blow in reputation to the dealer, there must be a stern action from Maruti's side too.

If they remain silent it would be that 'they' me about this malpractice happening.
Sure, all that - and what concerns me more is that something in a consumer forum takes 3-4 years to settle, which is about the same time required to settle litigation in a civil court, on an average.

Consumer forums were established to try such petty cases of deficiency of service on the understanding that the matter would be processed quickly and without inconvenience to the customer. And here we have a straightforward case taking so long to be resolved. And after this MUL can possibly go on appeal to delay the matter still further.
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Old 5th February 2017, 09:57   #5
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re: Maruti-Suzuki & Chennai dealer Indus Motors fined 1 lakh by consumer court

It is unfortunate such events are so far in between and are not reported prominently in the media. A netas' dog running away has higher priority for our 'newshounds'. We need to publicize it widely to our friends and acquaintances.
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Old 5th February 2017, 09:58   #6
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re: Maruti-Suzuki & Chennai dealer Indus Motors fined 1 lakh by consumer court

I don't see any details when the case was filed.

Cases in consumer courts have to be filed usually within 2 years, so the actual time taken for the verdict may have been less than 3 years.

Cases in the consumer court are not all rosy though. The Skoda case documented here ran into several years before it was settled out of court, but it was not as straight as this one.

Last edited by aah78 : 6th February 2017 at 21:13. Reason: Typo: counsumer -> consumer.
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Old 5th February 2017, 10:07   #7
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re: Maruti-Suzuki & Chennai dealer Indus Motors fined 1 lakh by consumer court

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Originally Posted by sdp1975 View Post
I don't see any details when the case was filed.

Cases in consumer courts have to be filed usually within 2 years, so the actual time taken for the verdict may have been less than 3 years.
That is usually the case when a product develops a manufacturing fault within a year or so of operation (within the guarantee period) and no action is taken by the manufacturer.

Here the service deficiency / cheating was apparent as soon as he received the RC book. So - Just guessing at the timeline.

Let us say 1 1/2 months after purchase to get the RC, 10..15 days to discuss with the dealer and ask for return the car and issue a new one, or refund the cost difference of an old car @ year end discount rates, then approach a lawyer. They will usually ask the complainant to send say two legal notices with one month each response time, after which they will approach the court.

Last edited by aah78 : 6th February 2017 at 21:13. Reason: Quoted post was edited.
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Old 5th February 2017, 10:34   #8
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re: Maruti-Suzuki & Chennai dealer Indus Motors fined 1 lakh by consumer court

Quote:
Originally Posted by shankar.balan View Post
Our biggest issue here in India is the terrible, congenital, institutionalized dishonesty and corruption at every level.
Every one has his/ her eye on the 'main chance' and actually deems it 'smart' when they outwit the guy across the table, even if they do so in a dishonest manner.
That is so sad dont you think?
OT
Hit the nail on its head!
This mentality that you summed up perfectly is what makes India still India.
Its prevalent across industries and sadly families.
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Old 5th February 2017, 10:37   #9
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re: Maruti-Suzuki & Chennai dealer Indus Motors fined 1 lakh by consumer court

Quote:
Originally Posted by hserus View Post
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/56964273.cms

Apparently Chennai based Maruti dealer Indus Motors sold a 2013 car as a 2014 model to the complainant, at the full 2014 (non discounted) rate, and he figured it out only after he saw the RC.

He took them to consumer court, which has taken three years to direct that MUL and the dealer must pay him Rs. 1 lakh compensation and 5,000 lawsuit costs.
Very very poor decision by the esteemed courts.
The penalty must be high enough to deter such incidents in future.

Asa businessman it makes sense for me to keep taking such risks by fooling customers and pay peanuts penalty only when caught.
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Old 5th February 2017, 11:47   #10
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re: Maruti-Suzuki & Chennai dealer Indus Motors fined 1 lakh by consumer court

Interesting judgement. I wonder how the customer proved that he was promised a 2014 made car in court. Otherwise it is not illegal to clear older stock, provided it is in proper new condition. Also discounts is again a dealer's prerogative and depends on a customer's negotiating ability and the dealer's stock situation, time of month and year etc.
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Old 6th February 2017, 22:41   #11
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Re: Maruti-Suzuki & Chennai dealer Indus Motors fined 1 lakh by consumer court

Quote:
Originally Posted by a4anurag View Post
Sad to see (Consumer court) take so long to act. Better late than never though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hserus View Post
Sure, all that - and what concerns me more is that something in a consumer forum takes 3-4 years to settle, which is about the same time required to settle litigation in a civil court, on an average.
One small step for this dude, one giant leap for car owners. Cases such as these set a precedent...no matter how long they take to solve.

Not only have they publicly lost in court, they also have to pay some $$$$$$. Worse still is the damaged reputation to this dealership.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sdp1975 View Post
The Skoda case documented here ran into several years before it was settled out of court, but it was not as straight as this one.
At the end of it, Harish did get a brand new car + satisfaction of victory. The latter is priceless. Skoda's image, in the meantime, received a body blow - worth a couple of crores if you ask me.

Last edited by GTO : 6th February 2017 at 23:23.
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Old 9th February 2017, 17:29   #12
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Re: Maruti-Suzuki & Chennai dealer Indus Motors fined 1 lakh by consumer court

Quote:
Originally Posted by GTO View Post
One small step for this dude, one giant leap for car owners. Cases such as these set a precedent...no matter how long they take to solve.

Not only have they publicly lost in court, they also have to pay some $$$$$$. Worse still is the damaged reputation to this dealership.
Indus Motors is having a strong reputation here in the South even in the remote areas. Also they are having good media connections, so this news won't get covered in local media.

Infact people had a blind faith in that dealer.

I had a terrible experience with them:

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...iver-ritz.html
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Old 9th February 2017, 17:32   #13
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Re: Maruti-Suzuki & Chennai dealer Indus Motors fined 1 lakh by consumer court

I believe Indus Motors have winded up their sales and operations from Chennai.

Their Kattupakkam (Porur) showroom has now been taken over by Vishnu Cars.
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