How my Amaze's minor 1-month checkup turned into a major headache

The service centre personnel (irrespective of whether it's Maruti, Hyundai, VW or anyone else) need to learn to respect someone's property.

BHPian JDMBOI recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

My very first visit to ASS (Malwa Honda Sonipat) for a one-month checkup (free service) turned into a headache.

On 6 January (Saturday) went to ASS for a one-month checkup, to get a plate installed and to get a fender painted with minor scratches on the rear left near the wheel arch (risk of rust, that's why I opted for repaint) was given 1 day time. I requested the body shop manager (Mr Arun) to keep me posted on the work done (step by step) and to tape the car properly before painting he obliged and by the time I reached home I received a notification of the group invite on WhatsApp and I was quite happy by how prompt he was but the happiness lasted short. I was unable to pick up the car on the 7th of January due to a family obligation/function. It was 17:30 so I decided to go early in the morning.

8 January - Reached the showroom at 10:40 and met the body shop manager and he said you didn't pick up the car yesterday. I stated that no one intimated me plus I was busy and I asked him what's the objective of making a group (since I didn't get a single update) He replied - I was not present. (Sunday 7th January) then he ordered the guy who did the paint job to get the car. Now things take a U-turn here. The guy went to get the car but did not come. I waited at least 10 minutes and thoughts started rushing in about a mishap with the car, went to see why the heck its taking him this much time to bring the car parked a few meters away. A huge sigh of relief when I saw them cleaning the car but I noticed 2 white dots on the co-driver door as I walked toward the car it turned out to be a huge scratch.

I called the Sales guy and asked him to come near the washing bay ASAP. I showed him the damage and he was shocked because he was the one who saw the car first (on 6 January) and drove to the service bay with me riding shotgun. He called the body shop manager and was shocked too he started asking the staff who did that but no one took responsibility the dude who did the paint job said I parked the car yesterday and these were not there. Even the body shop manager said these were not there because he checked the car himself (on 6th January) and I had a conversation with him about minor scratches caused by the body cover.

The sales guy pointed out that Mr. A (forgot the name) clicked a picture of the car while making a job card. He called him and told him to come ASAP then clicked pictures were analysed and there were no scratches not even a single smudge on the door and the guy who blamed me went dumb. The body shop manager took prompt action and requested to wait 2 hours or come back later. I chose the latter.

Reached ASS around 15:15 went straight to the car saw the door painted and was relieved a bit only to get disappointed. I noticed a huge rectangle on the rear left door. I touched the surface and it was rough (looked like spray) I pointed it to the manager he said it the tape residue (I didn't buy that because tape can't cause that and if it does it would be sticky) (see picture) he called his guy for buffing and you won't believe what he said - can you bring the car later on? are you kidding me? the manager was strict and got it done within 10 minutes. I was so upset that I just wanted to get out of there before I lost my temper after that got the plate installed and paid the bill & off I went. Before leaving I got a written statement if something goes wrong with the paint in the future ASS will be held responsible for further repairs.

It was the body shop manager's support and prompt service that I was cool throughout the process even though it was a mega inconvenience and painful to see the car in that state. I thanked him and the sales guy before leaving but I didn't like the General Manager's attitude toward this mishap he was supportive but showed no remorse toward what happened. For him, it's JUST A CAR but he doesn't understand what a CAR is for a PETROLHEAD. (based on the way he talked)

Next time a car goes for service I ain't going to leave it unattended even if I have to stand right next to it for hours.

The ASS people (all of them whether it's Maruti, Hyundai, VW or anyone else) need to learn to respect someone's property and being a Honda (Japanese company) Japanese officials should teach their Indian counterparts some Japanese Ethics and Etiquette.

A small story on Japanese people's respect toward other people's property - A YouTuber in Japan parked his car outside his Airbnb and when he woke up he found some construction workers working next to his car he was astonished by the fact that his car was covered (with a car cover, not his) cones were placed next to his car and they even cleaned his car after work was done that's why I love Japanese people.

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