[Resolved]  Hitachi AC — Poor Product with worst service

I contacted to Mr. Ravi Sharma (Sales Head, Chandigarh) for the query regarding HITACHI Window AC performance as well as Post sales support as compare to OGENERAL, CARRIER and VOLTAS. I was confused for it’s after sale support and performance. He assured me for the High performance (better than OGeneral) and brilliant post sales support. I had trust on him and ready to buy the AC unit, he referred me to Mr. Arun Jain (M/s.Cooling Centre, Rohtak) for the purchase of AC unit “HITACHI QUADRICOOL TM 1.5 Ton” Model No.RAV 019EOD. I purchased an AC unit SR. No.090D19261 from M/s. Cooling Centre, Sonipat Stand, Rohtak-124001(Haryana) for Rs.25800/- vide Cash Memo no.1753 dated 15.05.2009. Unfortunately, the unit has been found physically damaged in sealed box, 40% of its aluminium FINS already twisted. I informed to Mr. Ravi ji and dealer, dealer inspect the unit and agree to replace with new one. The AC unit has been replaced with already uncovered DEMO unit SR.No.090D19089 on dated 22.05.2009.

Right from the beginning, on dated 27.05.2009 AC unit has been installed but it does not perform well. Its cooling was least effective as well as poor than an air cooler even after whole night continuous operation. I complained to Mr. Arun Jain (Dealer) on dated 28.05.2009, the service engineer named “Shri Parsad” has been inspect the machine and gave his first excuse that the unit has been installed at height of 6’2”.Due to this, Hitachi AC unit didn’t perform well while nothing like that with other reputed brands. Truth is something differ, the another AC unit of reputed brand has been installed temporarily at same location. It’s performed very well and chills the room at 23O C just within 2 hours and 10 min. while the ambient temperature was 34OC.But still they people not agree with me and said that “Hitachi Machine is differ from others” so Re-install the machine. Dealer assured me that if still it’ll not perform he’ll pay me.

I co-operate with them and the unit has been re-installed at the height of 5 feet (Center of room) on dated 18.06.2009.I spent Rs.4000/- more for the specially made physical alteration and changes for the installation by carpenter.

Finally, truth can never hide, AC unit perform as usual and till now the problem remain unsolved. It’s performing poor than Air Cooler but like an Air Cooler with additional features. But I never forgot that, I spent Rs.25800/- (for Costliest AC) + Rs.4000/- (for installation as per dealer) =Rs.29800/- for chill cooling effect and uniform cooling not for an Air cooler with remote etc.

For the same, I contacted to Mr. Ravi Sharma (Sales, Chandigarh) but I m shocked from his unexpected reply, he replied that “Why you bother me? It’s not my duty to hear you. Contact to service centre”.

 Some of false commitment and fake information provided by the dealer and Mr. Ravi Sharma at the time of pre-sales enquiry are as following:-
1. Hitachi AC cools faster than OGENERAL, VOLTAS, BLUE STAR and CARRIER.
2. Faster and Maximum AIRFLOW.
3. Chills the room in a very less time.
4. No comparison with SAMSUNG, LG, GODREJ, WHIRLPOOL etc.
5. Lowest electricity Consumption.
6. No.1 in window AC’s.
7. Best after sale support.
 
 Some of the excuses given by dealer:-
1. Due to screeching summer it’s less effective. [While others AC is perfectly working]
2. They agreed that its flow is slow that’s why it takes time to chill the room. [Double time than others]
3. Due to double air flow design, this model has a problem, even they also discussed with company technicians. [Still they are selling and make customer fool]

I tried to contact with Mr. Vinay Kapil (Service Head, Haryana region) but didn’t respond me properly and till now ignoring my phone calls. I contacted to Mr.Arun Jain (Dealer) on dated 17.07.2009 to show the expert report which has been inspect at my end. Even I want to know that, Still he is able to solve my problem or not? But Mr.Chandramanik (Partner, Dealer) replied in the presence of Mr.Arun Jain “if you need solution then go for Consumer Forum and complaint against HITACHI who is manufacturing the product, not us.” along with that he misbehaved with me and use abusive language as well as his son tried to beat me.

 Expert Report and Comparison Chart are mentioned below:-

ROOM SIZE 14'4"*10'5" 15'3"*10'0" 18'7"*10'3"
BRANDS TIMINGS HITACHI VOLTAS CARRIER
TIMINGS
Room Temperature/Ambient Temp. (in deg. cel. ) 9:50 PM 36.9 37.2 37.1
Room Temperature (in DEG. CEL.) 10:28 PM 29.2 27.4 29.3
11:05 PM 27.1 25.9 27.5
12:25 PM 26.3 23 26.4
1:05 PM 25.3 N/A
2:00 AM 24 N/A
2:25 AM 23.6 N/A
2:55 AM 22.9 N/A


START TIME 9:50 PM
INITIAL GRILL TEMP.(AFTER 15 MINS.) 10:07 PM 13.0-13.4 10.8-11.2 17.1-17.6
AFTER 1 HOUR 10:50 PM 11.8-12.2 10.5-10.8 15.8-16.0
LOWEST GRILL TEMP.(AFT. MRE THN 3 HRS) 1:20 AM 10.3-10.9 10.5-10.8 N/A

Now, it’s the end of my patience, same time I contacted to Mr. Mittar Shah (Country Head, Hitachi) and reported him about the incident and he assured me for the resolution. On dated 17.07.2009, luckily I got a call from Mr. Vinay Kapil Ji and I shared my whole incident with him. He promised me to personally visit at Rohtak for the refund/replacement. Now, I m fad up because of irresponsible behavior and follow up with above mentioned guys. It seems as if I did some crime taking the Hitachi AC, its worst mistake of my life.

 Problems with my AC unit from the date of installation are as follows:-
o Very Less Cooling.
o Poor Airflow.
o Takes more time to cool like air cooler.
o Sometimes running (operating) whole night to reach the desired temperature but never reached after continuous operation.
o Sometimes Compressor stops working or not able to start automatically.
o Sometimes thermostat doesn’t cut even reached at (25oC) desired set temperature.
o Consumes more electricity.(Approx 25% higher than others)
o Automatically switches to OFF mode.
o Filter Clean Warning Indicator while filter is cleaned.

I request you to help me regarding refund my amount as early as possible. After that bad experience, nobody wants to continue with HITACHI. It had not only the manufacturing defect since beginning and act & conduct of Dealer and Company officials also remained rude and irresponsible in providing service the AC Unit to me which certainly proves the deficiency of service. I could not get any resolution for the purpose I purchased moreover I involved in contacting and has thus resulted in physical and mental agony to me.

Most of the Indians are cheated by HITACHI due to weak INDIAN Govt. policies and time consuming legal support. These types of foreign companies are continues selling their poor quality products without any hesitation. Indian Govt. should banned these products and apply quality norms strictly as applicable in other countries.

Some of the consumer complaints who were also cheated by HITACHI are available online. Links are as follows:-

https://www.consumercomplaints.in/?search=Hitachi
http://www.consumercourt.in/air-conditioner/5612-hitachi-ac-servicing.html
http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Hitachi_AC[protected].html
http://www.complaintsboard.com/?search=HITACHI+AC

Please do the needful. Waiting for the favorable response from your side.


Regards

Sunny Bansal
Rohtak-124001
Haryana
+91-[protected]
[protected]@gmail.com