DTDC — Dismal service

Address:

East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh

I am the consignee for shipment number V21490673, which was dispatched in my favour on 26th February by Bhavana Studio Guruvayur. This is an item of value to me in the sense that it was required to reach me latest by 28th February to be of any use to me. Accordingly the consigner informed me that he had booked it by DTDC plus so that I can get it by next day, but I see in the system that DTDC has accepted it as a Zonal Blue. The shipment was dispatched by DTDC Trichur 8.30 pm on 26th after having been booked at 7.30'pm. The shipment has reached Chennai by 01.30 am on 27th, but has been delayed at Chennai till 11.47 pm on same day. Again it is showing dispatched from Vijayawada at 04.19 am on 28th, that is today. As such shipment being of great importance to me, I kept aside all engagements and stayed at home to receive the same. By noon I visited the nearest DTDC Franchisee office, that is M/s Vashishta communications to enquire about shipment, and they informed me that the day's shipments had arrived, and I could expect my item only on Monday. Afterward Intried contacting Kakinada DTDC sub branch at all provided numbers namely[protected], [protected], [protected]. The first and third numbers are indicated as not existing and second number was not answering. In exasperation, I called up Chennai helpline for Blu at [protected], where a lady accepted a complaint and promised to call back. Shortly I got sms from DTDC stating my case was accepted as no. 00070763. Having got no response from Chennai till 6 pm, I called up again and was informed that I had to call up Vijayawada as the last location was showing as Vijayawada. I called up both the indicated numbers, namely [protected] and [protected]. Both numbers did not answer. I also tried to contact Cochin Customer care, but there was no answer. At 8 pm I went personally to Kakinada Sub Branch, who informed me that the item will be delivered on Monday only. All the while the system data indicates that shipment has not budged from Vijayawada. The sub branch also informed that though system shows dispatched at 04.19 am, actual dispatch will take place by tonight only, and even though item will reach Kakinada on tomorrow, 1st of March, I will get delivery on Monday 2nd of March only. When I asked them why they did not take my calls, there was no answer. If the shipment is delivered on Monday, that will mean that DTDC will be taking nearly four days to deliver a shipment that was promised to be delivered in 48 hours. Further there is no one to attend to calls even during working hours at Vijayawada, Cochin and Kakinada. I recall that an earlier shipment C57038875 sent to me by Datalogistics, Chennai in December 2014 also met with a similar experience, DTDC did not take any action on that as well. In comparison a Blu Dart shipment from Mumbai which came as an ordinary shipment reached me in 48 hours flat. My city is the district head quarters and is we'll connected, really there is no excuse for the delay. I raise this as a grievance and will be accepting the consignment under protest on arrival, reserving my right to take you to consumer court, with the consigner joining me as plaintiff, if you do not take action to my satisfactio Mohandas R. [protected]