Myself Hrishikesh Joshi. Owner of a RE CLASSIC 500 -2017 Feb Registration.
Ardent RE fan as my father had one during my childhood, and he recommend me to buy one in 2017.
I visited the Goregaon dealer Ishna wheels for a test ride and to book one. I drove the gt continental as well as the classic 350, as they were the only ones available. But after much discussion The sales executive and also one of the service heads mentioned there are some technical issues with Gt and Himalayan and recommend the classic 500. So during the detailed chat they mentioned features like, better pickup, built in fuel injection which is better than the carburetor system. Better in cold conditions, auto engine off in case of a fall and many such features.
And hence I bought the Classic 500.
On delivery I noticed the front guard had a big scratch, and so I refused to take the delivery and asked for a replacement. But they said, it was out of stock and promised to get it replaced as soon as it was available. Another blunder was that the rto registration took ages and during that period they gave me a false number plate to drive around. But I chose not to, otherwise I would have been responsible for any action taken against me if the cops would have caught me. Then around next month when i got my servicing done, I kept getting calls for some payment and registration issues. I was surprised as I had made full check payment on my bike. That's when I came to know that maybe ishna has some back office issues unresolved. And again with a disappointed tale, I had to ask RE and ishna to get it sorted.
During the first month itself I has rusting issues, a wear and tear of some rubber parts. So again I had to go to confront on such disappointment. To which the service executives mentioned, RE using substandard parts in some places due to which their is wear and tear and rusting issues. Hearing this I was very disappointed on choosing to buy a RE in the first place. And I remember writing to RE regarding the same, but with No substantial reply. Only false promises that things will be taken into consideration and blah blah.
Sometimes you let go of such things, because it's just some nuts bolts and some tubes or pipes and doesn't hurt your pocket. But after all you loose trust in a trusted brand. And that's what has eventually happened.
I kept regular maintenance of my RE through the first year of free service and then with AMC with ishna wheels. During that period i noticed that the service executive are not at all interested in repair of any parts and straight away recommend change of parts. And on purpose force you to do extra work and hence get extra business out from customers. On one occasion I had also complained to the owner of ishna wheels to which he yelled at the staff and my work was done satisfactorily. But is it not company's policy to look after the legacy and not take undue advantage of customers in such way.
Because of such careless attitude towards customers, I didn't continue with my AMC post feb 2019. Another reason being due to my marriage, I was busy with house renovation and other personal activities, so I had to use my car. So through march2019 - feb2020 my bike running was rarely 8-10 kms, on some days, as on most days I had the car. So I used to maintain by regular service from my local mechanic.
During this lockdown since March end, my bike was isolated at my fathers residence and I was at my mahim residence. Due to which it had no running from March end to August. It was under cover, but my father only managed to oil/grease necessary parts and start it a few times every week or so. Only during September I managed to get my bike back to mahim. But I struggled as it was misfiring heavily and engine was stalling. Due to some personal tragedies at home, with my uncle passing due to covid, my wife being in hospital for the same reason. I couldn't take my classic 500 to RE service centre in Mahim. Only during December I got a chance to which I came to know that my fuel injection is spoilt and need to be replaced at a cost of 4-5000. Then there is engine cranking and that will cost some 16000/-. Plus some other some jobs which may cost 2k. Again this appears as a case of executives not wanting to repair and just get done with replacement jobs and make profits from customers pockets.
Moreover I was disappointed to know that none of these expenses can be done under insurance.
During this lockdown plenty have lost jobs, small business have suffered and most have survived on savings. Same is the case with me.
How can one expect to shell such expensive repairs /replacement costs post covid lockdown and that to with no help from insurance. why the hell should one insure a vehicle then. With no excessive running, no abuse to the vehicle, regular service and yet the bike is giving such issues.
This seems like a case of Incompetency and careless attitude of Indian workmen and management towards customer service, that's why they will only push to sell their products and disregard and overlook customers during post service.
There is no shortage of talent, but the 'chalta hai, jaane de' attitude has always been the downfall.
That's one big reason why indians abroad are doing far better than the counterparts here. And also their law system which take due care and diligence of any legal queries on such cases.
I am repenting taking a RE on just sentimental value, wherein I had many better offers and choices. As many suggests and word of mouth spreads, the RE is not a worth buy. And if I don't get a satisfactory result to my issue, it seems selling off my RE is the only option.
And I would not like to go and file a consumer complaint and take legal course unless provoked. So I request to pls take necessary action, in providing a relief in this situation.
Royal Enfield customer support has been notified about the posted complaint.
What type of PR maintain by Royal Enfield employees