[benbsb29]

Originally Posted by vasudeva

2.4.09: engine heating up and smoke coming. whole day wasted in Jaipur getting the problem corrected.
3.4.09: back in Delhi on 3.4. night. While removing the luggage, keys dropped in the boot, and closed. Car doors also locked.
Result, whole of 4.4.09 wasted in getting the car to open.

His whole attitude to Skoda is to sell it as soon as the free warranty and maintenance package expires (he is from Jalandhar).

To be fair to the car, wasnt it the person's fault that they although accidentally locked the car with the keys in the boot?

Was this the first issue they faced with the car, or one of many?

[RajaTaurus]

Originally Posted by benbsb29

To be fair to the car, wasnt it the person's fault that they although accidentally locked the car with the keys in the boot?

Was this the first issue they faced with the car, or one of many?

Agree with you. Both problems seems to be vehicle and situation specific and doesn't really belong to this section. At this rate, even a normal tyre puncture might be attributed to Skoda Czech. Lets be reasonable folks, lest we dilute the genuinity of this campaign.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Unfortunate, but of course they can't blame Skoda for having locked their own keys in the car --- and one wonders why it took a whole day to sort out, and why Skoda should have been involved at all? Didn't they have at least one spare key?

But then "one" (at least this one) doesn't know the story.

It is mentioned that, only the day before, the engine was overheating and smoking...

[vasudeva]

Originally Posted by benbsb29

To be fair to the car, wasnt it the person's fault that they although accidentally locked the car with the keys in the boot?

Was this the first issue they faced with the car, or one of many?

The second problem was not car specific, but he has faced problems similar like the first one in his Octavia (30-32K old), and that has led him to think about selling the car soon.

[vasudeva]

Read this article:

Skoda Means Quality. Really

My opinion:
Perhaps Skoda quality is better in rich countries but not the same here (highly likely, as this seems to be the way of working of many foreign and Indian companies in developing economies).

Perhaps Skoda knows best and the customer is always wrong (Skoda's parent and group companies VW and Audi have often been accused by business press of adopting a German know it all arrogance).

Finally, if the first para of the above article is true, then what is the truth in the ad line `obsessed with quality since 1895'??. If that Skoda statement is not true, then which Skoda statements can be definitely believed to be true.

[1orren1]

One of my friend's Octavia had the spare wheel substituted during a service. Realised 2 months later when he had a puncture and there was nothing he could do.

Another feather in Skoda's cap...

[GTO]

Skoda makes some awesome cars, without a doubt (the new Superb is a prime example). No one here really has a problem with the cars (we LOVE the RS, the Laura and the Superb).

The concern is : Skoda India's management, dealerships and the relevant policies. The customer is the only one who suffers - big time - thanks to their embarassing lack of after sales standards. It's a shame that such European neat cars are supported by a bunch of thoroughly incompetent monkeys in India. I mean, how much easier could their job have been? They aren't facing an uphill task like Tata or Mahindra where the management has to design & develop cars AS WELL AS sell them. Heck, they have a ready line of products to sell. However, full credit for the cars goes to Skoda Europe and NOT to Skoda India. As Skoda international has reiterated time & again, Skoda India is little more than an importer of cars. Their only job is to market the cars & take care of the customers who pay up. Simple spoon-feeding, if you ask me.

Head's ought to be rolling by now and these monkeys ought to be lining up for jobless benefits. If not, the problem is deeper than anyone of us has imagined. And it won't be long before the Indian market has it's say. Look at Skoda's March 2009 numbers. The Octavia + Laura sisters are down by a whopping 50% year-on-year and the Fabia is currently languishing at a paltry 500 cars a month.

Last but not the least, Skoda India would NOT have the guts to behave as they have with Harish or any other customer in the United States. Else, by now, they'd be sent back home, baggage included. Enough of taking the Indian market for granted!

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by GTO

Skoda makes some awesome cars, without a doubt (the new Superb is a prime example)....

I agree, but (and I'll take a very short answer, so as not to get offtopic) aren't they always lower-budget versions of VW/Audi awesome cars?

[ImmortalZ]

Yes. Skodas are Audis for the common man.

[Knight Rider]

Turned off two potential Buyers! Its high time people stand up for their rights, Kudos Tbhp.

[evo]

I get a call from Mr.Yogesh Chirimar, works manager of the Skoda dealer in Cal.

He tells me that he`s got a mail from Skoda India and that regarding "aapka woh joh lcu(lighting control unit) tha, usse hum FOC replace kar denge"

I asked him if that meant "completely at no charge, no service charges, labour etc etc". He concurred and said so.

Then he told me that he had ordered the part from Aurangabad and that it would come in 11-12 days.

Then I asked him about my paintjob and the clear lack of sanding. So he said that I should get the car to the workshop and if need be(he`d decide after seeing the car) then he`ll sand the entire car and repaint it again.

I told him that if they`d begin by doing that, it would definitely alter my view on Skoda service a little.
__________________________________

So thats what happened.

I`m very happy that Skoda is showing some signs of waking up from its stupor. However, it wasnt like there was an apology or anything, it was just damage control IMHO. But considering how they`ve been damage control is a good first step.

On the other hand, the lack of service and support from their side was also exemplary. So this call, though brilliant by Skoda standards, still doesnt match the industry standards.

All this apart from the fact, that when my car is there at the workshop for another 12-14 days, what may happen? (not being obnoxious, just stating a possibility based on previous experience)

The other possible fly in the ointment is the fact that its just a phone call till now, to use another cliche the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

What do you guys think? Any comments, suggestions et al?

(PM if you dont want you know who to see it on the board!)

[blacmagic]

looks like they dont want another documented blunder appearing in public.
Evo, does that mean I will not get your ... ahem ... you know what ... to use you know where?

[evo]

Originally Posted by blacmagic

looks like they dont want another documented blunder appearing in public.
Evo, does that mean I will not get your ... ahem ... you know what ... to use you know where?

Not at all sir, since a blunder is a blunder, you will definitely get my ... ahem ... you know what ... to use you know where?, however if they do rectify to our combined satisfaction then we`ll also say that you know where. sounds fair? What say?

hehe!

[blacmagic]

absolutely! unconditional apologies to all those who have been given grief and a new car for Harish - the original "instigator". and after that, truly world class service - as it always should have been.

as I said, the cars are way too sweet and do not deserve to be tarnished by idiots and monkeys.

PS: might also be nice if you know who got a bit more internet and English savvy.

[navin]

Originally Posted by vasudeva

2.4.09: engine heating up and smoke coming. whole day wasted in Jaipur getting the problem corrected.
3.4.09: back in Delhi on 3.4. night. While removing the luggage, keys dropped in the boot, and closed. Car doors also locked.
Result, whole of 4.4.09 wasted in getting the car to open.

what colour smoke? grey, white, blue? What did the Skoda dealer do (or claim to do to fix it. What were you charged?

Even if I go to my in laws house (about 20km away from mine) I take the spare key. Usually the spare key will be in my pocket at all times. I dont want to be stuck. I'm sorry but the incident that happened on 3.4 was plain clumsy. sad but clumsy.

Originally Posted by evo

I asked him if that meant "completely at no charge, no service charges, labour etc etc". He concurred and said so.

Then he told me that he had ordered the part from Aurangabad and that it would come in 11-12 days.

Then I asked him about my paintjob and the clear lack of sanding.

I`m very happy that Skoda is showing some signs of waking up from its stupor. However, it wasnt like there was an apology or anything, it was just damage control IMHO.

1. I would not expect an apology. It would be nice but really I would not expect one. Instead if Skoda and it's dealers show that they are taking cognisance of our compalints and treat us fairly with respect, dignity and service our cars correctly I would be very happy.

2. After my car was serviced (remember the 65K paid) I have sent my car to Skoda once and they did all they can. I have still to test drive the car but I intend to report if Skoda-Autobahn's second attempt was successful. However their manager Mr. Liyakat has been following up with me very dilligently.

A change of image and service will not happen overnight. Skoda has to continue to put into place better processes and systems that ensure that it's dealers do not misbehave. Skoda India also has to also work at reducing the cost of spares and improving their longevity and implement training programs so dealers understand what the life of each part is what are the tell tale signs of impeding failure and begin to win back the trust of it's customers.

Trust is not developed in one day. Skoda India started out on a great wicket. The Octy Tdi was a success in India. Unfortunately somewhere after that they lost their way. They took forever to introduce new cars including the vRS; forgot to implement a system that ensured that dealers like Nummer Eins did not cheat customers like Harish and many others; and just basically took their "eye off the ball". Now it is an uphill climb for them to regain the customer's trust.

This will affect not only Skoda but also VW (and to a lesser degree Audi). VW did well and was quite successful in the other Asian giant - China (circa 1984). Their business model there showed a much greater commitment to that market than anything and everything they have done in India so far. If Skoda India (VW's first forray into India) was basically a shell company for importing and reselling cars to Skoda India dealers and VAG has not interest in ensuring that Skoda India functions responsibly what does it say about VAG's commitement to India?

Skoda India
1. Show us some sign that you are actually reading these posts. Instead of issuing standard legaleese quote the posts you agree with or disagree with. Dont worry if you are honest and come with good intentions we wont bite!

2. TBHP is an enthusiast's forum. We are passionate if not completely mad about cars. As a group we may number a paltry 40,000 (considerable by the net community benchmarks) but because of our passion the opinion of TBHP members is individually and collectively often sought before the purchase of any car within our friends and family circle. Now assume that each of us only influences the purchase of 10 cars in the segments Skoda India is present it. Only 10 (why I alone can account for that number per year)! Understand our sphere of influence is far larger than just the core size. Think of each TBHP member (atleast the active ones) as a "neutron bullet" and the car buying population as "fissile material".

3. We are not biased. If anything we love many of Skoda's cars (the Fabia though was a bit of a disappointment) but we are not afraid to speak our mind and openly discuss the virtues and vices of any/all cars sold in India today. Appreciate us for who we are - the best resource of unbiased (but opinionated) feedback available in India today. Most companies would pay "an arm and a leg" to have such an asset. Trying to muzzle us (instead of engaging us), scare us (instead of complimenting us) or threaten us (instead of recognising that we helped you to find flaws in your system) is not good for YOUR business.

4. Are we a diffcult customer to please? YOU BET. We are here primarily for the Indian car buyer. One of our goals is to help our "brethren" (anyone who buys a car in India is consider a brother/sister) to get better cars, better service, and lower Total cost of ownership. It is what keep me up at 1:22am on a weeknight trying to get this mesage across to corporates like you. You are free to accept this or reject it. Your gain. Your loss. Studies across the world in developed and developing markets have shown that using the internet proactively can be very very good for business. Barak Obama thought so and look where that got him.