This narrative is the story of a crusade, against an injustice that may tire some readers, incense the culprits and intrigue others; it’s a story of true grit and the passion of one man who refused to accept injustice and who stands steadfast in his quest to bring this injustice to light.
When Harish test-drove the Skoda for the first time, it was instantaneous love. In that moment, man and machine rumbled as one. Knowing a good machine when he saw it, Harish decided right away to own the vehicle and call it his own. There is a beautiful car advertisement whose powerful sales pitch has a punch line which reads, “When you turn your car on, does it return the favour?” For Harish, the Skoda most certainly did.
Buying a car is like entering into holy matrimony. You trust that the manufacturers have produced quality goods; you trust the go-betweens, or rather the dealers, to maintain and deliver those goods, all the while complying with quality and regulatory standards. When you buy a car, therefore, you opt to rely upon all parties concerned including those responsible for the further upkeep and smooth performance of your vehicle. This is an exchange not merely of inanimate goods, it is the undertaking that the relationship between the manufacturer, the dealer and the ultimate buyer shall be honorable and above all suspicion.
Buying a car is like entering into holy matrimony. You trust that the manufacturers have produced quality goods; you trust the go-betweens, or rather the dealers, to maintain and deliver those goods, all the while complying with quality and regulatory standards. When you buy a car, therefore, you opt to rely upon all parties concerned including those responsible for the further upkeep and smooth performance of your vehicle. This is an exchange not merely of inanimate goods, it is the undertaking that the relationship between the manufacturer, the dealer and the ultimate buyer shall be honorable and above all suspicion.
Over a period of time, your car begins to represent yourself. Not only do you grow within the confines of its plushness, the vehicle itself begins to grow on you…nee it begins to become a part of you. You treat it with care, service it at regular intervals, ensure that you wind her down and clean her up so that you can enjoy each other for a long time to come. Things usually work well, till fate rudely intervenes.
The real story is usually the one that remains untold. When unwavering faith and unscrupulous dealings collide, it is bound to generate some fireworks. Harish and his Skoda met with an accident on the 29th of February, 2008 where the undercarriage of the vehicle was damaged. Convinced that the vehicle would be suitably treated and serviced, Harish sent his Skoda to the dealers Nummer Eins Motors’workshop, the authorized Skoda dealer in Ghatla, Chembur. A month and a half later, he was asked to take possession of his serviced vehicle, at which juncture, he noticed that a few parts of the vehicle (which were not damaged in the accident) had been tampered with or replaced. His suspicions were initially aroused when he noticed that the side mirror on the driver’s side was not original.
The real story is usually the one that remains untold. When unwavering faith and unscrupulous dealings collide, it is bound to generate some fireworks. Harish and his Skoda met with an accident on the 29th of February, 2008 where the undercarriage of the vehicle was damaged. Convinced that the vehicle would be suitably treated and serviced, Harish sent his Skoda to the dealers Nummer Eins Motors’workshop, the authorized Skoda dealer in Ghatla, Chembur. A month and a half later, he was asked to take possession of his serviced vehicle, at which juncture, he noticed that a few parts of the vehicle (which were not damaged in the accident) had been tampered with or replaced. His suspicions were initially aroused when he noticed that the side mirror on the driver’s side was not original.
On further inspection, he realized that the car was vibrating and the normally smooth engine was missing a beat. Thoroughly disappointed, Harish decided to report this matter to the Skoda head office in Aurangabad.
Skoda officials sent their officials to look into the matter and agreed that original parts had indeed been tampered with and assured Harish that suitable action would be taken against the persons responsible. Ironically officials at Nummer Eins, the dealership responsible for this crime, shamelessly agreed to take onus off the whole affair.
Two months on, with all parties (Skoda & Nummer Eins) agreeing & promising that things will be set right, the sad state of affairs still persist. As we have sadly come to accept (the common man in India will now what I mean) Harish is still being given the run-around for the last few months with his car still languishing in a dusty ol’corner at the dealership. All of this points to one plain simple fact; “Skoda & Nummer Eins” are strongly in cahoots in this scam with kick-backs possibly going up to the highest levels
Not one to take things lying down, Harish decided to pursue this matter to its just conclusion and ever since, he has been trying to contact the top ranking officials not only at Skoda, but, has decided to take up this matter with the consumer forum. There is nothing atypical in the manner in which the Nummer Eins dealers have tried to take an ordinary consumer for a ride. Yet, the burning question is whether a reputed company like Skoda, for whom its brand value is of primary importance world-wide, would let its image be tarnished in this manner. Who is to blame? Petty crooks working for Nummer Eins who do not blink twice before toying with original parts and thereby with the safety of the passengers they call customers, or a multinational giant like Skoda, who pretends that minor irregularities are of no consequence, or the ordinary consumer who has neither the patience nor the facilities to take on these corrupt giant houses made of money, or do we blame the redressal forums whose inevitable delays and pre-conceived judgments ensure that such stories remain untold?
Harish is fighting a lonesome and most likely an uphill battle. Yet, if this compels in any small measure, an apology from those accused, a public denouncement of these underhanded gimmicks and an assurance that such practices will not prevail, then the battle is well worth the pain.
Let us pray & hope that our lone crusader prevails…
Two months on, with all parties (Skoda & Nummer Eins) agreeing & promising that things will be set right, the sad state of affairs still persist. As we have sadly come to accept (the common man in India will now what I mean) Harish is still being given the run-around for the last few months with his car still languishing in a dusty ol’corner at the dealership. All of this points to one plain simple fact; “Skoda & Nummer Eins” are strongly in cahoots in this scam with kick-backs possibly going up to the highest levels
Not one to take things lying down, Harish decided to pursue this matter to its just conclusion and ever since, he has been trying to contact the top ranking officials not only at Skoda, but, has decided to take up this matter with the consumer forum. There is nothing atypical in the manner in which the Nummer Eins dealers have tried to take an ordinary consumer for a ride. Yet, the burning question is whether a reputed company like Skoda, for whom its brand value is of primary importance world-wide, would let its image be tarnished in this manner. Who is to blame? Petty crooks working for Nummer Eins who do not blink twice before toying with original parts and thereby with the safety of the passengers they call customers, or a multinational giant like Skoda, who pretends that minor irregularities are of no consequence, or the ordinary consumer who has neither the patience nor the facilities to take on these corrupt giant houses made of money, or do we blame the redressal forums whose inevitable delays and pre-conceived judgments ensure that such stories remain untold?
Harish is fighting a lonesome and most likely an uphill battle. Yet, if this compels in any small measure, an apology from those accused, a public denouncement of these underhanded gimmicks and an assurance that such practices will not prevail, then the battle is well worth the pain.
Let us pray & hope that our lone crusader prevails…
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