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Beware of Fiat's Shmeless Services. Read my letter to them. . .

A Review by Raihan on Fiat Linea
10 February, 2009


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Dear Sir/Madam,
 
This is a story of my nightmare with Fiat. I am so disappointed and disturbed by your services in India that I can not express in words. As it is your cars are not at all doing well in this country and I sincerely believe its because of the pathetic and down market services provided by your staff and dealers.
 
Story with Fiat goes like this: as soon as I saw Fiat Linea launch ad in newspaper I immediately drove down to your dealer in Gurgaon City by the name ABS Motors, saw the car, took the test drive, fell in love with it. I booked the car there and then in the name of my younger brother who is handicapped but earning, gave a cheque of Rs. 35,000.00 as booking amount.
 
That was the last day I ever thought of buying a Fiat atleast in India.
 
After that I did not hear anything from your dealer and when I called them after 3 days to enquire I was told they could not sell the car to a handicapped person. I was zapped. It was insulting and harrassing. I lost my mind and they apologised.
 
Nothing happened for another 1 and half weeks. Then I got a call from one bank where your dealers had forwarded my brother's papers for finance. They called me to bank, having no other option I went to them for further harrassments. And all this time I was wondering what Fiat people and its dealers were doing when I had to run pillar to posts to get car financed. Actually it was Fiat's duty get all such work done for its customers.
 
In the end after fighting hard I got the confirmation from bank that they would release the payment to Fiat and I would get my car then. I thought my TORTURE was over but I was damn wrong. I called up your dealers to inform them that my finance thing was through and they would get their payments (God, it was supposed to be Fiat guys informing me!). This time what I heard from them was something unimaginable. I was told that they could not hold the car that I booked and sold it to some other customer who had booked after me. It was mad, seriously crazy. Nothing of the sort I heard from any car dealer anywhere in the world. I struggled hard to get my breath back, holding it I told them to cancel my booking and your dealer very coolly accepted and said if I wanted that car I should pay the entire amount that day itself.
 
What an UGLY FACE OF FIAT. NO REMORSE, NO RESPECT FOR CUSTOMERS that too HANDICAPPED PEOPLE.
 
I have still not got my booking amount back. I am still struggling with Fiat. I wonder if you guys can help me in this atleast?!!!
 
I always wondered why all other cars are doing well in India and Fiat is having such a bad reputation despite having such good cars. I got the answers.
 
In the end, I just  have these words in my heart: God has probably saved me!!!


Tortured by Fiat,


Raihan A. Abbasi


+91 981 8096 030




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34 Comment(s) on this Review

  1. on 11 Feb, 2009 at 02:48 PM Dhruv Singh (Mumbai)

    That blows. Though, I feel the dealers are more at fault here. Why don't you try talking to or e-mailing someone higher up in the management rather than some idiot who obviously doesn't know how to run a dealership.
    Good luck. Hope you get your money back :)

  2. on 13 Feb, 2009 at 02:52 PM Sudhir Vashishtha

    I also had the similar experience with one M/s Apra Dealer Gurgaon 32 Mile Stone where amount was booked , loan arranged, promised delivery which did not materialised within stipulated time and later offered the color which we did not mentioned while booking. After scheme was over, we were asked for higher rates which we refused. However they reimbursed the booking amount. Yet we at times used to receive calls from the bank for repayment of loan which we never took.

  3. on 14 Feb, 2009 at 02:03 PM Suresh Babu (Bangalore)

  4. on 14 Feb, 2009 at 02:07 PM Suresh Babu (Bangalore)

    Dear Mr. Raihan,
    I really feel sad for the kind of truma you have gone through.
    I have refered your instance to FIAPL, to look into the abuse of customers.
    Hopefully they will solve your problem.
    Just because of an Arrogant dealer the whole company and Brand Image is spoilet.
    Good luck to you.

  5. on 21 Feb, 2009 at 12:50 PM Laha (Mumbai)

    Dear Mr.Raihan,Is ABS MOTORS also a TATA MOTORS Dealer ?? If so,it is more than obvious about the Dealer's intentions !!!My best wishes to you and you brother.Rgds LAHA

  6. on 24 Feb, 2009 at 02:02 PM S A (New Delhi)

    Dear Mr. Raihman,
    Though not as bad as yours, but enemy experience wasn't too good. Seems that they aren't interested in selling Fiat, being Tata dealers. The first time I went to have a look at the Linea (At A-one motors,Defence col N.Delhi)one sales guy actually snatched the brochure out of my hand to show it to another client and asked me to pick up another copy from inside the showroom (we were outside). It was enough for me to decide the level of service in store for us.
    Sameer Aggarwal

  7. on 26 Feb, 2009 at 09:06 PM Joydeep (New Delhi)

    Its a well known fact that the Sales and Service Channel go a long way in establishing a Brand's Image or for that matter in tarnishing it. If one has bought a great performing car, but has undergone hardships / ordeals while buying or getting it serviced, chances are that he may never recommend, or opt for the brand again.

    All said and done, if FIAT thinks it has a great product & wants to grab some market share, It'll need to be Customer Centric to the Core, no amt of ads or PR shall help.

  8. on 28 Feb, 2009 at 04:04 PM Noub (Goa)

    i think that FIAT should market its own products or the TATA dealiers will screw the happiness of all people who want to buy FIAT's.

  9. on 04 Mar, 2009 at 10:31 AM Yusuf Shabbir (Mumbai)

    Completely agree with you Noub....

  10. on 04 Mar, 2009 at 05:59 PM Viswesh.Kalambur

    Hi All... It is really disheartening to read such experiences.
    1. As a recourse please right in the CEO coloumn in FIAT's website and be sure you get a reply from them.
    2. I have read quite a few reviews that the dealership is bad in Delhi and Gurgaon area's. I live in Chennai and own a Fiat Palio. I deal with VST Motors and the service is very good. So was the buying experience.

  11. on 13 Mar, 2009 at 10:21 AM 2Subodh

    Raihan, I understand your plight but you need to know FIAT sales and services are done by TATA. FIAT can only look upon customer feedbacks and work on it. In your case, FIAT doesn't come in pic anywhere. Its TATA dealers who has to do it and they fail so screwing up FIAT's image. Such dealer/service issues should be mailed to service@fiapl.com. You will immediately be called from FIAT. In the end ur tortured not by FIAT but by TATA!

  12. on 13 Mar, 2009 at 10:22 AM Subodh Dadarkar (Panvel)

    Raihan, I understand your plight but you need to know FIAT sales and services are done by TATA. FIAT can only look upon customer feedbacks and work on it. In your case, FIAT doesn't come in pic anywhere. Its TATA dealers who has to do it and they fail so screwing up FIAT's image. Such dealer/service issues should be mailed to service@fiapl.com. You will immediately be called from FIAT. In the end ur tortured not by FIAT but by TATA!

  13. on 13 Mar, 2009 at 10:35 AM Rudrah

    Raihan, I understand your plight but you need to know FIAT sales and services are done by TATA. FIAT can only look upon customer feedbacks and work on it. In your case, FIAT doesn't come in pic anywhere. Its TATA dealers who has to do it and they fail so screwing up FIAT's image. Such dealer/service issues should be mailed to service@fiapl.com. You will immediately be called from FIAT. In the end ur tortured not by FIAT but by TATA!

  14. on 13 Mar, 2009 at 10:48 AM Dococ

    Did you talk to someone in FIAT. Or were you dealing with just the dealers?

  15. on 14 Mar, 2009 at 05:11 PM Saddu_2000

    wow..!! this is a real horror story. I wasnt exactly extatic when I bought my Palio from Vivek Auto in Delhi - then a Fiat dealer. They promised me so much - and finally, I was just happy to get any Palio..

  16. on 15 Mar, 2009 at 09:43 PM Yasir (Mangalore)

    dude try 4 other car.............and get it near fiat showroom.............(as soon as possible)

  17. on 25 Mar, 2009 at 10:03 PM Rustam Sharma

    Guys, This is just the tip of iceberg.. I had Fiat palio diesel and had the worst time with Jammu Dealer.. The guy had been breaking the spares to fit new ones in so that i had to pay extra money... Then once I had an accident and left the car at Fiat workshop... They returned the Car after 2 months and that too after a huge hue and cry... The car was returened with the Diesel pump replaced by a bad one.. The new one costs 40K-45K.. Thr ws no prblm wid th car when I had driven it to wrkshop

  18. on 12 Jun, 2009 at 01:18 PM Spmsmv

    I have a Fiat Palio since March 2002. I bought it from Sundaram Automobiles, Chennai. I have heard of similar experiences from other Fiat Dealerships even at that time. But my experience with the dealer was great; in fact we are in touch even now when they do not deal with Fiat anymore. Having said that,I had a good experience with the new dealership Tata Concorde as well. I feel sorry hearing your ordeal. However, Fiats are for life! Junk this dealer and talk to another one! All the best

  19. on 25 Jun, 2009 at 06:31 PM Lal (Mumbai)

    Hi,It's really a pathetic story.. idiot and stupid sales guy's.I bought my palio from B.U Bhandari.Pashan,Pune.I just want to say the service of that dealer is wonder full.amazing customer care,great sales manager who attend customers him self.Good luck for you and your brother.

  20. on 01 Jul, 2009 at 10:59 AM Suhail (Bangalore)

    I agree , i have a tata vehicle right now , and am frustated with its service . Only reason i wont be buying Fiat Linea, i love the car, but for TATA Service i can go for it , what a pitty

  21. on 23 Jul, 2009 at 11:43 PM Vivek_70

    VJ (Delhi) - I have heard of pathetic dealership service in Gurgaon before also, A co-worker of mine had similar story with Palio few years ago, (can't remember the dealership name) so obviously they haven't learnt anything. While I can only sympathise with you and wish you get speedy redressal, I am not going anyway near FIAT now, although I had kind of narrowed down on Linea

  22. on 30 Jul, 2009 at 09:52 PM Kingofspades99

    I was seriously considering Fiat Punto or Linea for my daughter who Loves her suzuki's. Ultimately voted in favor of Suzuki SX4 solely due to after sales service. Even Suzuki dealerships can get on your nerves. I have bought six so far in all flavours over the years.

  23. on 05 Aug, 2009 at 04:40 PM Rckstr10

    reading this all stuff I really have postponed idea of purchasing linea.
    Maitraya

  24. on 06 Aug, 2009 at 05:41 AM Anjali

    The feedback on Linea and Punto is that the mileage is very poor and the car lacks the punch.

    Refer this review on the HINDU newspaper:
    http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/08/05/stories/2009080550240500.htm

    It is like maintaining a white elephant with such low mileage

  25. on 07 Aug, 2009 at 09:39 PM Prakharayush

    the best car i ever saw in my life.
    but the prices are high

  26. on 22 Aug, 2009 at 08:38 PM Ashim (Nashik)

    Guys,
    I was seriously thinking to buy Linea. But after reading this horrible story I will never buy Fiat's car in my dream also doesn't matter how fantastic car they offer on road coz it has to go to dealer every 3 months for servicing.
    NEVER FIAT IN LIFE.

  27. on 23 Aug, 2009 at 08:39 PM Rahul Gupta (Bangalore)

    RAHUL (bangalore)
    hi! i was looking forward to buying the linea. this realy scarezs me, bcoz.. you might esape the ordeal while purchasing, but you need to go back to the dealers for serviing and for sure you will not enjoy this experience.... FIAT or TATA needs to look at this as they are really screwing up the reputation.

  28. on 27 Aug, 2009 at 12:00 AM Srini_Anand

    Raihan, Its the relationship with Tata Motors which is creating the problem... Fiat vehicles are too good to handle & they give preference to Passenger Safety...i'm driving Palio for past 6 years, driven 62000 Kms so far and doing great... Dealer experience with Anuroop then Fiat dealer was extremely good. Please write to Fiat/Tata Authorities... I would say that TataMotors gives preference to Tata vehicles than Fiat and hence it is not getting popular in india

  29. on 10 Sep, 2009 at 09:04 PM Deepak Vadhani (Vapi)

    Hi Raihan ,I think the problem lies in the dealers up north than any other part of India .

  30. on 10 Sep, 2009 at 09:06 PM Deepak Vadhani (Vapi)

    I was planning to buy a linea emotion pack but now I will think and reconsider

  31. on 23 Sep, 2009 at 10:30 AM Vs

    NEW AVEO 2009 GOT
    VALUE FOR MONEY SEDAN
    Attractive shape
    Mileage in city 11/12, on highways around 14/15.
    Good value for money great discount.On road LS may be around 6L.
    Robust
    Comfort driving
    Maintenance assurance by company
    Warranty upto 3years/1,00,000 km.
    Good ground clearance 180 mm suitable for Indian roads.
    New AVEO added with lot of features, printed antennae, tilt steering,driver seat height adjustable,rear seat arm rest with cup holders etc etc.
    Floor matte,wheel covers e

  32. on 12 Oct, 2009 at 01:57 PM Abhijit

    OMG!!!
    I was seriously considering the Linea for its looks and the features.
    I dont know what will happen to the resale value.
    I was ready to compromise on the performance. But I think I will have to wait till New SX4 is launched.

  33. on 17 Oct, 2009 at 12:56 AM Animesh

    Noted: ABS motors, Gurgaon - Never buy a car from here. I hope Fiat have discountined this dealer.

    I hope the * given to linea should be high... it is just the dealer is bad...

  34. on 29 Oct, 2009 at 11:27 PM Kirti

    I know linea is a bad product no avrage no ground clearance only just look like a large car why should you purchess go maruti showroom and purchees sx4

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