FIAT Linea-Booking experience Pandit Auto,Pune

maverickxx2006 · 22nd July 2009, 17:59

We had booked FIAT Linea Emotion Pack - Petrol with Pandit Auto on 16th July. At that time the dealer said the car is in stockyard and iwe we want immediate delivery then we need to submit the entire amount for the car. We thought that since the car is ready anyways we went ahead and paid entire amount to the dealer.

I had told the advisor that before registration, we want to do PDI in stockyard, he said thats fine and we can come on 23rd July. When I called up the advisor, he said that the car is not in stock yard and has not been ordered from FIAT. We were like shell shocked!!!

Just last week the same guy said the car is lying in stockyard and if you dont pay the amount the car will be given to someone else.And now after paying the entire car amount the bugger is saying that the car is not in stockyard and need to be ordered from FIAT and will take more time around 1 month.

I felt really cheated and taken for a ride and gave him an earful.

Iam really not sure what to do. I have shot off a mail to Mangesh Kudalkar from FIAT and told him the situation, waiting for his reply.

Iam not sure if I can cancel the booking now as I have paid entire amount.

Please advise.

SkyWalker · 22nd July 2009, 18:13

they have clearly goofed up and is not even apologetic about it?!!!

1) Speak to the adviser and insist on speaking to the top guy there. Do not take 1 month as an answer despite whatever justification they give
2) Record all audio conversations
3) Escalate to FIAT Immediately and also send a link to this discussion page in TBHP.

good luck!

pmbabu · 22nd July 2009, 18:14

I wonder how FIAT hopes to revive itself with this kind of dealers.

And if this is the situation even during sales, what will be the state of A.S.S?

They better act on these kind of reports/issues - blaming the partner is not going to resolve the problem.

maverickxx2006 · 22nd July 2009, 18:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyWalker

they have clearly goofed up and is not even apologetic about it?!!!

1) Speak to the adviser and insist on speaking to the top guy there. Do not take 1 month as an answer despite whatever justification they give
2) Record all audio conversations
3) Escalate to FIAT Immediately and also send a link to this discussion page in TBHP.

good luck!

Forget any apologies, Mr Sachin the advisor is not even ready to commit where the car is and about delivery date. He said Mr Kulkarni who is the manager will call me and he cant do anything more now. Buggers.

I feel like shooting a mail to Rajeev Kapoor and demanding my money back with interest.

sushanthr77 · 22nd July 2009, 18:21

A very poor attitude shown by the dealer. These dealers bring bad reputation to the company on the whole.

Cancel the booking immediately and demand a full refund. Either approach another dealer or think about another car.

@FIAT,
If you are listening, either take immediate action against the dealer or forget any real revival in India.

pmbabu · 22nd July 2009, 18:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushanthr77

Cancel the booking immediately and demand a full refund. Either approach another dealer or think about another car.

This is a good suggestion. If the other dealer is better (and be careful before paying money next time), move on.

neoonwheels · 22nd July 2009, 18:39

These dealers actually Make or Break a company. Its totally company's responsibility to make sure all the dealers are up to the mark after all they are company's interface to the outside world. Immediately shoot a mail to TATA and FIAT and report this dealer.

neotraveller · 22nd July 2009, 18:44

This is totally unacceptable.

1. Speak to the GM of the dealership and threaten cancellation.
2. Escalate to Fiat

In any case, if they don't really have a vehicle in stock, ask them to return money (they should only hold onto booking amount:50k). Why is it taking 1 month now-a-days? It should take 10-15 days that's it.

The cancellation trick will work and most probably they'll give someone else's car to you. Just like they did with yours.

maverickxx2006 · 22nd July 2009, 18:55

Got a call from Mr Joshi from Pandit Auto and he said that they had invoiced the car but company took it back as there was some colour defect and they will be giving new car. He said that Punto and Linea are having similar white colour hence confusion

Now this reply is even more worrying.

1. How can be there a painting defect in new car?
2. Did the quality check department not locate it before passing it out?
3. How can they invoice defective car to dealer?
4. What the hell Punto's white colour has to do with Lineas?

What the hell is this? I' am stunned with the dealers attitude and with FIATs quality check.

Definitely some where something is fishy going on between dealer and FIAT.

I'am really thinking to get my money back. Tomorrow morning I will tell the branch manager.

BTW I' am still waiting reply from FIAT.

BomBatt · 22nd July 2009, 18:58

My hope of FIAT India revival is slowly and steadily receding !

I had strongly suggested one of my close friend to go for Punto just yesterday. Now I myself have serious doubts.

Many members here are suggesting to cancel booking and demand full refund. But, once the money is in the hands of the dealer, its as good as gone !

Mavericx, I wish this thing is resolved quickly to your satisfaction.

greenhorn · 22nd July 2009, 19:01

That a fiat was recalled for a painting defect - I find very unbelievable. Bigger lemons have been unloaded onto unsuspecting customers. Sounds too good to be true IMHO.

aaggoswami · 22nd July 2009, 19:02

Simply cancel the booking and demand all the money back immediately. The transparency is not good. I wonder if at the end of the day they are able to provide a good car or not. They are not transparent and honest. Visit the dealer and thretean them involvement of media. I dont think that emails will work or not.

Go to any other dealer, but dont trust this one. Next time be cautious.

kavesh55 · 22nd July 2009, 19:02

Please dont jump the gun, there is nothing wrong with the company or the car. its dealers like these that got the bad repute for Fiat products. I am shocked that Pandit Auto, which I presume is so famous in Pune, is handling this way.
Just be patient I am sure the company personnel will get back to you shortly.

neotraveller · 22nd July 2009, 19:03

I think the existing white in Linea (vocal white) is being discontinued because punto's white is different than this shade.
Apparently they were having confusion with 2 white shades.

But maybe pandit is bluffing too. They might have given off to someone and are just bluffing.

And regarding paint problems and QC, I had color-mismatch with my bumpers (later rectified under warranty), so Fiat has to improve in this aspect.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maverickxx2006

Now this reply is even more worrying.

1. How can be there a painting defect in new car?
2. Did the quality check department not locate it before passing it out?
3. How can they invoice defective car to dealer?
4. What the hell Punto's white colour has to do with Lineas?

What the hell is this? I' am stunned with the dealers attitude and with FIATs quality check.

finneyp · 22nd July 2009, 19:07

Some of the dealers really suck in their attitude towards customers!

Maverick, since you have already escalated to Mangesh, just wait for his response.

22nd July 2009, 17:59	#1
maverickxx2006 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 223 Thanked: 159 Times	FIAT Linea-Booking experience Pandit Auto,Pune We had booked FIAT Linea Emotion Pack - Petrol with Pandit Auto on 16th July. At that time the dealer said the car is in stockyard and iwe we want immediate delivery then we need to submit the entire amount for the car. We thought that since the car is ready anyways we went ahead and paid entire amount to the dealer. I had told the advisor that before registration, we want to do PDI in stockyard, he said thats fine and we can come on 23rd July. When I called up the advisor, he said that the car is not in stock yard and has not been ordered from FIAT. We were like shell shocked!!! Just last week the same guy said the car is lying in stockyard and if you dont pay the amount the car will be given to someone else.And now after paying the entire car amount the bugger is saying that the car is not in stockyard and need to be ordered from FIAT and will take more time around 1 month. I felt really cheated and taken for a ride and gave him an earful. Iam really not sure what to do. I have shot off a mail to Mangesh Kudalkar from FIAT and told him the situation, waiting for his reply. Iam not sure if I can cancel the booking now as I have paid entire amount. Please advise.
	() Thanks

22nd July 2009, 18:13	#2
SkyWalker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,531 Thanked: 136 Times	they have clearly goofed up and is not even apologetic about it?!!! 1) Speak to the adviser and insist on speaking to the top guy there. Do not take 1 month as an answer despite whatever justification they give 2) Record all audio conversations 3) Escalate to FIAT Immediately and also send a link to this discussion page in TBHP. good luck!
	() Thanks

22nd July 2009, 18:14	#3
pmbabu BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: On The Net Posts: 335 Thanked: 47 Times	I wonder how FIAT hopes to revive itself with this kind of dealers. And if this is the situation even during sales, what will be the state of A.S.S? They better act on these kind of reports/issues - blaming the partner is not going to resolve the problem. Last edited by pmbabu : 22nd July 2009 at 18:16.
	() Thanks

22nd July 2009, 18:21	#5
sushanthr77 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mangalore / DXB Posts: 280 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	A very poor attitude shown by the dealer. These dealers bring bad reputation to the company on the whole. Cancel the booking immediately and demand a full refund. Either approach another dealer or think about another car. @FIAT, If you are listening, either take immediate action against the dealer or forget any real revival in India.
	() Thanks

22nd July 2009, 18:39	#7
neoonwheels Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 2,065 Thanked: 1,877 Times View My Garage	These dealers actually Make or Break a company. Its totally company's responsibility to make sure all the dealers are up to the mark after all they are company's interface to the outside world. Immediately shoot a mail to TATA and FIAT and report this dealer.
	() Thanks

22nd July 2009, 18:44	#8
neotraveller BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 739 Thanked: 0 Times	This is totally unacceptable. 1. Speak to the GM of the dealership and threaten cancellation. 2. Escalate to Fiat In any case, if they don't really have a vehicle in stock, ask them to return money (they should only hold onto booking amount:50k). Why is it taking 1 month now-a-days? It should take 10-15 days that's it. The cancellation trick will work and most probably they'll give someone else's car to you. Just like they did with yours.
	() Thanks

22nd July 2009, 18:55	#9
maverickxx2006 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 223 Thanked: 159 Times	Got a call from Mr Joshi from Pandit Auto and he said that they had invoiced the car but company took it back as there was some colour defect and they will be giving new car. He said that Punto and Linea are having similar white colour hence confusion Now this reply is even more worrying. 1. How can be there a painting defect in new car? 2. Did the quality check department not locate it before passing it out? 3. How can they invoice defective car to dealer? 4. What the hell Punto's white colour has to do with Lineas? What the hell is this? I' am stunned with the dealers attitude and with FIATs quality check. Definitely some where something is fishy going on between dealer and FIAT. I'am really thinking to get my money back. Tomorrow morning I will tell the branch manager. BTW I' am still waiting reply from FIAT.
	() Thanks

22nd July 2009, 18:58	#10
BomBatt BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 208 Thanked: 35 Times	My hope of FIAT India revival is slowly and steadily receding ! I had strongly suggested one of my close friend to go for Punto just yesterday. Now I myself have serious doubts. Many members here are suggesting to cancel booking and demand full refund. But, once the money is in the hands of the dealer, its as good as gone ! Mavericx, I wish this thing is resolved quickly to your satisfaction.
	() Thanks

22nd July 2009, 19:01	#11
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,401 Times View My Garage	That a fiat was recalled for a painting defect - I find very unbelievable. Bigger lemons have been unloaded onto unsuspecting customers. Sounds too good to be true IMHO.
	() Thanks

22nd July 2009, 19:02	#12
aaggoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vadodara Posts: 4,982 Thanked: 2,931 Times	Simply cancel the booking and demand all the money back immediately. The transparency is not good. I wonder if at the end of the day they are able to provide a good car or not. They are not transparent and honest. Visit the dealer and thretean them involvement of media. I dont think that emails will work or not. Go to any other dealer, but dont trust this one. Next time be cautious.
	() Thanks

22nd July 2009, 19:02	#13
kavesh55 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 748 Thanked: 49 Times	Please dont jump the gun, there is nothing wrong with the company or the car. its dealers like these that got the bad repute for Fiat products. I am shocked that Pandit Auto, which I presume is so famous in Pune, is handling this way. Just be patient I am sure the company personnel will get back to you shortly.
	() Thanks

22nd July 2009, 19:07	#15
finneyp Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,716 Thanked: 319 Times View My Garage	Some of the dealers really suck in their attitude towards customers! Maverick, since you have already escalated to Mangesh, just wait for his response.
	() Thanks