Disclaimer: This has been written in my capacity of a consumer.

This is a question that increasingly being debated on Twitter - the platform for opinions - and have been a part to it. Whilst, the conversation have been heated at times, I have always preferred to “move on” (polite way of saying disengage from the conversation), when it becomes too passionate.

One of the chief advocates Girish Mallya believes that the above is definitely the case.

Over the past couple of years, I have had many instances of problems and negligent customer service, where I have had to use my rolodex to get action initiated. I have always used the specific escalation method, however there are times, when it jsut does not work. Read the rest of this entry »

I have been a frequent visitor to Bru World Cafe in Juhu since the time it started (probably the first day of its launch) and always loved it ambiance, filter coffee. In fact had commented on its Arabic tone of music and was pleasantly surprised to see it being replaced (I cannot take complete credit for it, though). Read the rest of this entry »

I had visited this more than a year ago for drinks and had liked it. We had been planning to go out for brunch and decided to try it out, as it came recommended by a couple of other friends. We made bookings for 12 by Saturday evening.

On reaching there Sunday afternoon, the place was crowded and the desk was puzzled with our reservations. The manager had no clue, whilst the waiter ‘Vikram’ tried to ask somebody to vacate/move so that our party could be accommodated. The reason given was that a lot of these tables were filled with “SnapDeal” offers. Read the rest of this entry »

Da Milano one of the fastest growing retail chain, giving a tough fight to Hidesign etc. etc. is someone who has received respectable business from me over the past year or so.

As a normal AD Policy, I do not give out my mobile number to any retailer, however they seem to have bought out the entire Airtel database and hence received an SMS from them on 11th June 2011 at 14:10 “First Time Ever!! Da Milano brings EXCHANGE OFFER. Get your ANY old bags, wallets and belts and get 20% off at Da Milano. Offer valid all across India” Read the rest of this entry »

A couple of months ago, my wife went shopping (Ok, that’s nothing new but still) and found some formal shoes that she knew I was interested in at Aldo

Having normally done shopping for me over the years, she asked the person if they had the required shoe size, quoting other brand size, receiving a reply that Yes, they had, different numbers but the same size they reassured. Read the rest of this entry »

The previous parts of Tata Motors saga were blogged here, here & here.

Finally, the vehicle was delivered on the 6th July. Unfortunately, the number plate was incorrect

Instead of MH 02 BR 4108 it was just 408 and that too both sides.

And, after so much of arguments they had left behind a key, which after due apologies they promised to deliver the next day.

The next day arrived soon after and besides a flurry of mails asking that “we heard that the car has been delivered” received a call from Mr. Shashank Mulye of Tata Motors who agreed, assured etc. and also generously waived off the Rs. 7000/-.

As things stand today, after a week having passed, the keys are still awaited. I am just unable to understand what exactly is wrong with Tata Motors?

I have earlier blogged about Tata Motors here & here

To continue the saga….

Twitter friends helped out with some email ID, to which I wrote and one Ashmita Pillay responded with having forwarded the complaint to customer service and asking for contact numbers, that I provided. Around 12:50 pm on 5th July one Ravi called up from Service, listened to my litany of issues and said he would get the Sales in charge to investigate. Read the rest of this entry »

I had blogged about Tata Motors Saga… the beginning here.

On the 3rd July, we were leaving around 12 noon, when Mayuresh from Fortune motors calls “M’am your car is not ready, I have been trying your number since morning, it may be ready by tomorrow or so, I will call and inform you” My wife could not speak at all, I took the phone and asked to speak to the manager, the phone went dead. We drove from Lokhandwala to Marol Andheri East which is 45 minutes away and there was no call back.

On reaching, I asked for the owner, luckily being a slow day, there were no barriers and we managed to meet him. Mr. Sanjay Chandra received us, listened to us, looked at the system and started apologizing, accepting his staff had goofed up on the following counts:

1) Giving false commitment
2) Invoice paid on 21st June but car not ordered.
3) Letter of authority not taken for fund transfer till the 29th of June
4) No documentation done for RTO registration till 29th of June
5) RTO person on leave, nobody else referred etc. etc.
6) Accessory approval delay Read the rest of this entry »

A month ago, my wife started acting a bit suspicious, but after supporting me for god knows how many years, I felt she deserved it.

One fine morning on the 18th June, she threw a bomb shell “I am buying a car and it will be delivered in a week - 10 days” Whoa! where did you get the money? Which car? Why now? all were thrown out of the window and I knew it was a losing battle for me.

My enthusiasm waned a bit when I heard ‘Indica’ not that the car was bad, in fact like it much better than the old esteem and have traveled quite a lot in it; but more from the service horrors that I had heard being related. But I felt extremely happy and proud of her, because this was her first car bought with her own savings, in her own name. Read the rest of this entry »

I am not a Jet lover or traveler, however business exigencies forced me to travel last week on Jet to Aurangabad (being the only morning flight)

The entire previous day, web checkin was not working, though finally managed at around 1 am in the morning for the 6 am flight.

Reached the airport, felt like trying to enter Virar local, except there was scented BO, given the fact that there was a line, right till outside of everyone wanting to enter the airport.

Inside was no better, some 5-6 jet staffers waving their hands, walkie talkies like gymnasts or traffic constable at Dahisar check post.

On the web check in it had said, that I could go straight to counter 63 which incidentally was empty. Then began a tug and war with one of the staff bent on pushing me to some other counter. Finally managed to check in and with 1 hour left was being pushed to the security and gate.

Once boarded, found that all the overhead bins were occupied, not that I needed them, but still. The seat was a nightmare come true - reminded me of ‘Baby’ the tuk tuk of Bangladesh where you actually end up with your face between your legs, trying to breathe and live.

They seem to have cut corners on seats - squeezing in a couple of additional rows; followed by seat belts - or else why would they announce extension belts availability?

In this 45 minute flight they also tried to fit in sale of juice, breakfast, snacks - which meant that people occupying the aisle seat had to watch their elbows.

On landing, the luggage took it’s own time, in spite of that being the only flight at that time of the morning. So some rules to fly Jet Konnect:

1) Do not carry hand baggage, if you do rush to your seat the moment gates are opened.
2) Opt for aisle seat only if you are short, thin or can squeeze in the seat.
3) Carry your own extension seat belt in case there are more than 4-5 people that require it.
4) Learn to become a contortionist in case you forget to keep money in your top pocket, in case you want to buy.

Hopefully, they will learn that you cannot have the same attitude as a full service airline!