May 17, 2007 06:56 PM
7847 Views
One thing I dread the most is purchasing any big ticket stuff. However, I have had such a pleasant experience in dealing with Harpreet Ford Motors in Gurgaon that I must share it here. Left to me I will buy a car from them any time.
*1. RESEARCH--PRE PURCHASE EXPERIENCE
*I decided to gift a car to my son for his 18th birthday. When I announced this to him I made it abundantly clear that all research about models, make, colour must be done by him. The youth have an excellent grapevine so after many chats on the phone and the web, he narrowed down to Ford Fiesta. He was advised to buy the diesel model but I put my foot down and insisted on petrol , 1.6 litres model as diesel needs more maintanence and makes a funny sound which is annoying. So he opted for the SXI 1.6 with ABS, petrol model.
He went to Harpreet motors and told them the scenario --that the guy who(me!) is to issue the cheque has no time to come there.
So for the next 3 days, the executive from the agency brought all models one by one to my clinic for my approval. I agreed with my son but he also wanted a modification made in the roof, with a sunbeam to be added, plus music system to be upgraded. They asked for a week for the modifications. I told them I wanted the car on the day itself--31st oct . He promised to deliver.
2. THE FINANCING
I asked for a 85 percent financing. I think that meant a loan of 7.5 lacs since I made a down payment of less than 2 lacs. The agency itself arranged for the finance from ICICI bank. I again did not have to move out. After I had signed the loan papers, I incidentally got a phone call from ICICI bank DSA , offering a 2 percent discount on loans to doctors. I rang up Harpreet motors and told them this. Within an hour they reduced my interest rate by 2 percent and gave me the cash amount of 30k upfront.
3. THE DELIVERY-- the car was delivered on the due date at 4p.m. It was driven to my house and handed over to my son , with all the explanations, papers et al in the presence of my wife. There had been no hitch so far of any kind. The model was perfect, the car drove well. The same day, my son also received his driving license.
4. SERVICING-- the free services went very smoothly. The car was picked up on the day of the booking and delivered after that. The permanent registration number when received was delivered to us along with the number plates. The agency also collected all permanent registration papers when ready .
*5. ACCIDENT CLAIM---
*The real test is during an adversity. In the 1st week of jan 2007, a young guy staying oppoite our house banged into the stationary car when reversing his own SUV. The damage to the hind part was considerable so he requested me to make an insurance claim, with the assurance that he will cover the loss in no-claim bonus for the next premium.
It was here that we got the best service. The engineer from harpreet ford came over, took the car. He wrote a statement, took my signatures, called the insurance guy , took the approval, repaired the car, took the money directly from the insurance agency and delivered back the car in the same condition. I did not have to pay a single rupee to anyone, either as bribe or as difference of any kind. The insurance agency was bajaj alliance but it was affiliate with harpreet only.
6. TRULY AN INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE-----
This was my feeling that at last the consumer is king in India. I remember the bad old days when so much time had to be wasted and buying a car used to be a maxi project. God forbid if an insurance claim had to be filed. Even the junk had to be carried back to the office of the insurance agency. Sure have come a long way since those times.
7. CONTEMPORARY EXPERIENCE--I think that this agency must be having a great management since I have not had similar good experience with respect to my other cars esp in Gurgaon. In fact the servicing of scorpio was so bad that I had to dispose off the car. Honda, Maruti and Toyta are okay but always give the impression they are so overworked that any service is a big favour. I only hope that harpreet maintains and does not dilute its service standard.
8. FUTURE
I am sure that at this rate, exacly after 3 years, I will get a visit from an executive from harpreet with a sheet containing a proposal for replacement of the current model.
9. AFTERWORD
I have not seen the offices of this agency which is the utmost compliment to it as it is truly a doorstep service. I do hope that the owners of harpreet will give due recognition to the executive who dealt with us.
