Tragic buying experience of my PUNTO from TAFE FIAT in Chennai

ph03n!x · 19th August 2009, 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajinibm

@McLaren Rulez
Thanks for your wishes!

@ Gilead
Whats with TAFE?Everyones seems to take a guess and hit the target bang on!!

@ amitoj
No issues yet!The day after the delivery.While I was driving, the car suddenly gave a jerk and stopped and the engine coolant temperature gauge reached the red mark and gave a warning sound.The car stopped and in a couple of seconds the gauge was back to normal and i started the car and drove again!It has never happened again!Apart from this when reversing the car tends to stop even if the clutch is fully depressed.Have to check this out.Else all ok.

So it IS TAFE? Man, you didn't do your research about the dealership. TAFE was a Hyundai dealer, who were closed out by Hyundai because they modified a lower variant and sold it off as a higher variant (or something like that- there is a thread in Team BHP)!

Me and fellow BHPian neoranjit went to TAFE when Linea was launched. I was looking to buy a car then, and when we asked for a TD, they didnt have one. When I looked at the Vista, and asked for a TD, they didnt have one. neoranjit told them that I am genuine buyer, so please organize a TD if possible- and the sales lady reacted in a way not even a petty shop owner will- anger, et all! And we walked out...

rajinibm · 19th August 2009, 17:48

[quote=jaaz;1440004]I
And with delivery of New Ambassador, the Car was not supposed to be taken Home or for Puja but to a nearby garrage for rewiring, doors work, Welding Joints, Electrical work etc.,

Ha Ha!That was a good one!In this age with all the technology available its a wonder how these people think they can get away with anything!

mundi · 19th August 2009, 17:50

bad dealership, dishonest people, sick. I say hindsight is always 20 20 so just enjoy the car as other folks have already told you,
try this:
take your wife to a nice restaurant, arrange for the car to be cleaned, polished and gift wrapped like new while you are dining, and surprise her after the dinner with the keys, and remember this date as the day you bought the car.
-Anuj.

phanitha · 19th August 2009, 17:53

Hey congrats on the new car. I hope yours is the first 1.2 Active on Team-BHP.
Forget the past and the things which went bad with the dealer and move on enjoying your vehicle.
Do post the detailed ownership review.

prince_pervez · 19th August 2009, 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajinibm

I got the ANHC just close to a month ago so surely have it yet!

What I meant was, when you feel sad about your Punto just look at the City and smile. It might make up for what you suffered at the hands of the dealer.

rajinibm · 19th August 2009, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by mundi

bad dealership, dishonest people, sick. I say hindsight is always 20 20 so just enjoy the car as other folks have already told you,
try this:
take your wife to a nice restaurant, arrange for the car to be cleaned, polished and gift wrapped like new while you are dining, and surprise her after the dinner with the keys, and remember this date as the day you bought the car.
-Anuj.

You know thats one of the best ideas I have ever heard!
Wow wish I could do that!Will see if thats possible!Hats off to your thought!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ph03n!x

So it IS TAFE? Man, you didn't do your research about the dealership. TAFE was a Hyundai dealer, who were closed out by Hyundai because they modified a lower variant and sold it off as a higher variant (or something like that- there is a thread in Team BHP)!

Me and fellow BHPian neoranjit went to TAFE when Linea was launched. I was looking to buy a car then, and when we asked for a TD, they didnt have one. When I looked at the Vista, and asked for a TD, they didnt have one. neoranjit told them that I am genuine buyer, so please organize a TD if possible- and the sales lady reacted in a way not even a petty shop owner will- anger, et all! And we walked out...

Yes it is TAFE! Had never heard of such a thing happening with a Hyundai dealer!Sounds unbelievable!
The customer orientation in the showroom is the pits!

Quote:

Originally Posted by phanitha

Hey congrats on the new car. I hope yours is the first 1.2 Active on Team-BHP.
Forget the past and the things which went bad with the dealer and move on enjoying your vehicle.
Do post the detailed ownership review.

Thanks!Yea seems to be the first!Though it will feel good to have more on t-bhp.
Yup the review will be up in a day or so

Note from the Team-BHP Support Team : Please use "Multi Quote" option for quoting Multiple posts, instead of creating another back-to-back post.

anekho · 19th August 2009, 18:18

What an experience... when will these dealers learn that customer is king?

I don't mean to be offensive, rajini, but i feel you made two mistakes:

1. You didn't note the engine/chassis number when you did your PDI. Noting the number is essential in keeping your sanity when dealing with dealers. Without this, all you'll here are excuses from their side.

2. You should not have accepted the car. Why should you get some weird version when you have paid for a new car? Also, I don't know how this special arrangement of them offering to take car of your car will work - If the GM changes your deal might not hold.

Anyways, congrats for the car and do post pics and a review about how the 1.2 engine handles - there is a scarcity of reviews about it.

------

Another thing to other members, you guys seem to take fiat's dealers actions lightly in comparison to the stuff that skoda dealers do.

I mean, if this incident regarded a skoda dealer, there would have been a mob with torches

2theMax · 19th August 2009, 18:35

In hindsight, the car has been registered and delivered. the issue is just 100kms of a probable abuse.I would forget fighting it out with a company like FIAT and dealer like TAFE, I would take it to a different dealer for first service ..sit back and enjoy your priced possession.

BTW.. what happened to the scratch ? Apologies if it has already been discussed.

naveenvenkatesh · 19th August 2009, 18:37

Wow. What an experience. All this seems a bit Skodaish!!!
These are the things that Fiat needs to work on now. A few bad dealers like this can undo a great product like Punto. Fiat did the first part correctly by bringing in world class cars. Now is the time to put their head down and get their basics right with prompt after sales support and honest customer service. Once the work of mouth advertising gets going, there will be lots of many new customers. Time for the hard grind for Fiat i guess now in India.

Latheesh · 19th August 2009, 18:47

Congrats on your new car...convey this message to your beter half.

Forget the past and move on....

harry10 · 19th August 2009, 19:05

This is one horrifying experience.
I can understand why you took the delivery of the car though.
IMO you must escalate this matter to all top official including the CEO of Fiat.
The issue is just not 100 kms etc on the car, its the experience which has left a bad taste in your mouth.

Like many members i too feel you must have taken all that in writing first and then the delivery of the car.
Anyways, congrats on your new car and i hope the ownership experience is better

shivshanker · 19th August 2009, 19:14

I think in the interest of the rest of the BHP-ians you should seriously consider naming the Dealer.

Atleast people dealing with this particular dealer will now be vary of such happenings.

prince_pervez · 19th August 2009, 19:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by shivshanker

I think in the interest of the rest of the BHP-ians you should seriously consider naming the Dealer.

Atleast people dealing with this particular dealer will now be vary of such happenings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajinibm

The posts not approved yet -- the dealer is TAFE

He has already done it. TAFE.

AbhiJ · 19th August 2009, 19:20

Congratulations on the new car buddy...

Think of the experience as water under the bridge...

120 kms does not matter. Just get your car serviced elsewhere and forget about it, enjoy the new car.

p.s. The PDI guide on Team BHP is priceless. I did the PDI as per guide and hence possibly avoided a lot of trouble.

abhi1309 · 19th August 2009, 19:33

I dont think I am ever buying a FIAT after so many such examples. They possibly have no concern of what goes on in the customers mind when a new car is being delivered to them. They have no hassles in spoiling this great day for the customer and they do it pretty well actually. This is disappointing coming back home empty handed on the delivery day. Nothing can set this right at all. It is a moment thats lost forever and FIAT is proving itself to do this all the time. Imagine not calling the customer till 5 pm on the D-Day. Scary FIAT..

19th August 2009, 17:48	#62
rajinibm BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 181 Thanked: 39 Times	[quote=jaaz;1440004]I And with delivery of New Ambassador, the Car was not supposed to be taken Home or for Puja but to a nearby garrage for rewiring, doors work, Welding Joints, Electrical work etc., Ha Ha!That was a good one!In this age with all the technology available its a wonder how these people think they can get away with anything!
	() Thanks

19th August 2009, 17:50	#63
mundi Newbie Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: presently Pune, earlier San Diego. Posts: 9 Thanked: 0 Times	bad dealership, dishonest people, sick. I say hindsight is always 20 20 so just enjoy the car as other folks have already told you, try this: take your wife to a nice restaurant, arrange for the car to be cleaned, polished and gift wrapped like new while you are dining, and surprise her after the dinner with the keys, and remember this date as the day you bought the car. -Anuj.
	() Thanks

19th August 2009, 17:53	#64
phanitha BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bern Posts: 62 Thanked: 6 Times View My Garage	Hey congrats on the new car. I hope yours is the first 1.2 Active on Team-BHP. Forget the past and the things which went bad with the dealer and move on enjoying your vehicle. Do post the detailed ownership review.
	() Thanks

19th August 2009, 18:18	#67
anekho Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: . Posts: 1,995 Thanked: 684 Times	What an experience... when will these dealers learn that customer is king? I don't mean to be offensive, rajini, but i feel you made two mistakes: 1. You didn't note the engine/chassis number when you did your PDI. Noting the number is essential in keeping your sanity when dealing with dealers. Without this, all you'll here are excuses from their side. 2. You should not have accepted the car. Why should you get some weird version when you have paid for a new car? Also, I don't know how this special arrangement of them offering to take car of your car will work - If the GM changes your deal might not hold. Anyways, congrats for the car and do post pics and a review about how the 1.2 engine handles - there is a scarcity of reviews about it. ------ Another thing to other members, you guys seem to take fiat's dealers actions lightly in comparison to the stuff that skoda dealers do. I mean, if this incident regarded a skoda dealer, there would have been a mob with torches Last edited by anekho : 19th August 2009 at 18:34.
	() Thanks

19th August 2009, 18:35	#68
2theMax BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 337 Thanked: Once	In hindsight, the car has been registered and delivered. the issue is just 100kms of a probable abuse.I would forget fighting it out with a company like FIAT and dealer like TAFE, I would take it to a different dealer for first service ..sit back and enjoy your priced possession. BTW.. what happened to the scratch ? Apologies if it has already been discussed.
	() Thanks

19th August 2009, 18:37	#69
naveenvenkatesh BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: US/India Posts: 344 Thanked: 151 Times	Wow. What an experience. All this seems a bit Skodaish!!! These are the things that Fiat needs to work on now. A few bad dealers like this can undo a great product like Punto. Fiat did the first part correctly by bringing in world class cars. Now is the time to put their head down and get their basics right with prompt after sales support and honest customer service. Once the work of mouth advertising gets going, there will be lots of many new customers. Time for the hard grind for Fiat i guess now in India.
	() Thanks

19th August 2009, 18:47	#70
Latheesh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: CNN/BLR Posts: 4,243 Thanked: 10,090 Times	Congrats on your new car...convey this message to your beter half. Forget the past and move on....
	() Thanks

19th August 2009, 19:05	#71
harry10 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Faridabad/Delhi Posts: 2,713 Thanked: 3,625 Times View My Garage	This is one horrifying experience. I can understand why you took the delivery of the car though. IMO you must escalate this matter to all top official including the CEO of Fiat. The issue is just not 100 kms etc on the car, its the experience which has left a bad taste in your mouth. Like many members i too feel you must have taken all that in writing first and then the delivery of the car. Anyways, congrats on your new car and i hope the ownership experience is better
	() Thanks

19th August 2009, 19:14	#72
shivshanker BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 345 Thanked: 201 Times View My Garage	I think in the interest of the rest of the BHP-ians you should seriously consider naming the Dealer. Atleast people dealing with this particular dealer will now be vary of such happenings.
	() Thanks

19th August 2009, 19:20	#74
AbhiJ Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kolkata Posts: 1,476 Thanked: 1,207 Times	Congratulations on the new car buddy... Think of the experience as water under the bridge... 120 kms does not matter. Just get your car serviced elsewhere and forget about it, enjoy the new car. p.s. The PDI guide on Team BHP is priceless. I did the PDI as per guide and hence possibly avoided a lot of trouble.
	() Thanks

19th August 2009, 19:33	#75
abhi1309 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 446 Thanked: 68 Times View My Garage	I dont think I am ever buying a FIAT after so many such examples. They possibly have no concern of what goes on in the customers mind when a new car is being delivered to them. They have no hassles in spoiling this great day for the customer and they do it pretty well actually. This is disappointing coming back home empty handed on the delivery day. Nothing can set this right at all. It is a moment thats lost forever and FIAT is proving itself to do this all the time. Imagine not calling the customer till 5 pm on the D-Day. Scary FIAT..
	() Thanks