[Resolved]  Honda — Complaint against authorised dealer

I would like to bring your attention to some bitter experiences I met with your dealer EVM (Honda) Automobiles, S.A.Road, Vyttila, Ernakulam, Kerala State.
It says “Customer is the King”; in these days customers are treated as not kings but emperors. But at the dealer EVM (Honda) Automobiles, S.A.Road, Vyttila, Ernakulam the customer may simply feel he is just an unwanted creature and at their mercy!
On 02.09.2008 myself with my friend visited the said dealer of Honda to purchase a Honda Activa, the most sought after two wheeler of its kind. I had a plan to gift the same to my wife as a gift on 04.09.2008 as it was the anniversary of our engagement. The supervisory staff was not cordial or friendly to give sufficient information on the vehicles. I hope you know better that ' yes or no replies' has no role in sales and marketing divisions. Interestingly, the Show room in charge was busy with the Computer games!!!
Later on 04.09.2008, along with my wife, I visited the dealer show room and on an enquiry with the desk I was reported that I have to wait three to four weeks to get it delivered even on full ready-cash payment. I was rather surprised that these days it is not much difficult to have spot delivery of a vehicle at many centers. The full ready cash payment option did not make a change on the attitude of the staff there.

As I was to proceed to another shop, telling them the same, one female staff rushed to me and requested me to wait for another few minutes. She came with a suggestion that the vehicle put on display can made available provided I am willing to buy all the extra fittings on that, with an extra cost obviously. As it was a time bound thing for me, to have the vehicle at the earliest, it was agreed. We paid the entire amount of Rs.49, 146/- in cash on the same day, 04.09.2008. ( Receipt No.7351). It was agreed by them that the delivery of the vehicle will be on the same day, in between 4 p.m to 6 p.m.
I am working in the High Court of Kerala. After the office hours, ie. 4.30 p.m., I rushed to the dealer show room and reached there by 5.40 p.m only to see the closed shutters of the delivery counter! On reminding their promise, to deliver the vehicle that day itself, the salesman present there made all efforts to get the same released. Surprisingly, the supervisory staffs were inactive, arrogant and adamant on not releasing the vehicle. They stated that the delivery closes at 5.30.p.m and vehicle can not be released. Apart from the non-release of vehicle, the thing hurting me more was the attitude shown by the staff. The way they replied was not in tune with that of a reputed company like Honda and a dealer like EVM Honda. The dealer did not bother to hand over the vehicle nor to give at the least an excuse for that. They did not make even an attempt to call me and enquire about my arrival on that day, before closing the delivery counter. On approaching the Show room in charge ( Mr.Deepu ), it was more embarrassing, that, this time he was not with computer games but Mobile phone games! And, no time to speak or hear me!!
Hope you understand the mental agony and embarrassment of a customer at that point. I could not fulfill my word just because of the idiotic and irresponsible behavior of the staff at the dealer shop. I really wonder how the management keeps such employees at the counters and what supervision is envisaged from such show room in charge! You may please enlighten me how to suggest that dealer to my friends or relatives who would like to buy a vehicle?! Staff of this kind not even sabotage the proprietor of the shop but also ransack the reputation of Honda.
In the interest of Customers and Company, these matters are to be verified and rectified. No customer should face with such embarrassing situations in any shops. Orientation of the staff and supervisors are to be broadened and make them known that customer friendly people only has place in the competitive markets. The mental agony and harassment I suffered and further more, the time and money I spent because of the negligent behaviour of the Staff, have to be compensated. Your earnest efforts to improve the environment of this dealership will be appreciated.

Thanking you.

PARAMESWARAN PALLIPPATT
Cochin, Kerala State.
Cell[protected].