Nightmare with Skoda and its dealer

Pankaj, it is just plain logical. They gain nothing by engaging people who have no stake in the dispute. The one who has a stake has taken it up on a forum where they are bound to defend themselves, and they will vigourously do so, without any doubt. Elsewhere, as far as possible they will like to keep it low key, because the more it is discussed/debated/argued, the more they lose - the brand value is a very delicate perishable commodity, should be handled very carefully, especially in sticky situations. They are doing the needful on that front.

I agree but it does mean in my opinion that they have no strong point to debate about - else they would have clarified/advocated for.  Afterall, doing so would also help clarify their stand & brand value in public.

I agree with you Pankaj, most of the Skoda cars are a lemon. Quality issues, use of non-genuine spares are a common issue on Skoda cars. I have gone through the thread posted on Team-BHP. Here are my views :-

1. Harish has been paying his EMIs despite of not having his car for the past 1 year. A customer who purchases a car worth 10 lacs should not be given such a treatment for a bluder which was apparently done by THEIR Dealership.

2. Its good that they pulled up Nummer Eins but harish's case was hung in between. When Skoda acknowledged that the spurcious parts were put in by THEIR dealer, why on the earth should they hold Harish's car.

3. The fundamental Rights given to a Citizen by the Honorable Constitution of India guarantees civil liberties such that all Indians can lead their lives in peace and harmony. The Freedom of speech and expression, which enables an individual to participate in public activities is one of them.

We, as Indian Citizens are free to express our thoughts and concerns in a polite and non-violant manner on any public forum. No individual or company can threaten a public forum which is writing truth. Imagine, what would we (CarWale forum members) do if we get a threat from any company for writing the true experience on a public forum ?

I stand by Harish and Team-BHP.

By the way Harish, have you intimated the bank that the car/security (hypothecated) isn't in your possession and the reasons thereof (litigation etc.)?  How about the RTO concerned & the Insurance Company?

I Agree with Krishna.. keping Skoda Point of view....

Not many visit the Forum, specially Top end car buyers I would say not even 1 %.. Skoda would certainly like to keep low profile rather then giving any kind of service to their customer where they know they might be at fault....& allow wind to the fire...

Hats off to Harish who has manged to such a great extent..Hope Indian customer rises to the level & ensure that these companies has to come forward & accpet their wrong deeds for services.. not to an idividual but in an open forum...

Banwari's call to Skoda must have sounded them about the awareness in diferent forum.. But may be as per Skoda , they might be confident of allowing this issue to settle down with time & to put this in an history book.. & work towrds improovment.....

I am actually shell shocked at the whole episode. I don't think I have it in me to do what Harish has done till date. Hat's off to Harish and we are all with you.

While the matter is being sorted out in the court of law, I cannot comprehend how an investment that you have made to make life simpler for yourself has gone so wrong. you have stretched yourself so much and please don't leave it at any cost. We are all with you and in support of you.

It drives me crazy that a corporate like Skoda charging a premium of price on the cars and behave worser than a vegetable vendor - even a vegetable vendor happily replaces rotten veggies sold by mistake - This is seriously insane.

As Pankaj has pointed out, it makes extreme sense to notify your Bank, Insurance company and RTO with clear notification that the car is not in your possession - This will safegaurd you if in future Skoda or any of it's dealers do something malicious to the car.

It has been of great awareness to all of us out here and after reading this post, I don't think I would ever recommend a Skoda to anyone - even if they end up being the only alternative.

Regards,

K Prasad

Thanks Pankaj, for the advice. I will let the banks etc know about it.

Also I will keep you posted of developments.

Thank you Banwari, Pankaj, Sabareesh, Satish, Kvsk for the support and encouragement. 

I don't want to generalise...but what is wrong with us? I mean we are all so goody goody when we are in US/UK/whatever...but when it comes to India what happens to us? Why do Indians cheat Indians in India? This is rampant - not just with car dealers or service centres...but more or less everywhere from the vegetable vendor to the car service centres. All try (if not succeed) to sell bad stuff for the highest price possible. In the skoda case, that same company would be transparent to customers in Germany - but here that's not the case...what has changed? Rules? Laws? In my humble opinion its not laws or rules but the people - the way we perceive ourselves and hence others of our nationality - as people with less self-respect/inferior and hence its ok to cheat/act shameless.

Sometimes you can't help but wonder, Is the naivety of Indians taken for granted?

It not naivety but lack of basic respect for others - which stems from a basic lack of respect for the self. At least I firmly believe that if one has respect for the self then s/he will automatically respect others.