Paid for a fancy number but got a normal one instead: How I got it back

It was an online transaction but I didn't get a receipt and later I was shocked to hear that the RTO has assigned a regular registration number for my new Tata Punch EV.

BHPian dmaheshkumar recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

As we all know, while buying a new vehicle some people opt for a number either in the running series (next 1000 numbers) or anything beyond that too by paying to the Government.

My friend too booked a car (TATA Punch EV) and opted for a fancy number in the next 1000 numbers.

He went to the RTO broker directly and booked a number by paying via PariVahaan. However, the receipt was not received and the car dealer was informed about the same. While moving the papers to the RTO, this can be informed and they will process it separately after checking the system with the transaction details.

Here TATA showroom normally brings the car to the RTO office for registration and there will be a separate broker from the RTO side who does it for that particular showroom.

My friend clearly informed both the sales advisor and the driver who was bringing the car that we booked a fancy number but the receipt was not yet received and he shared the transaction details.

But the broker moved the file for normal registration and sequentially the system generated a number for his car. After some time this was informed to my friend and he was shocked to hear this as he had already paid for that number. He was checking with the dealer as to why it was not informed to its RTO broker and there was a huge communication gap. Now my friend was clearly saying that he needed the number which he booked and not the sequential number which was generated.

But the sales executive, the RTO broker and even our RTO broker clearly stated that this can't be changed as the vehicle is already registered. He was not interested in taking the delivery with the allotted number and was very furious when he heard that the amount he paid for the number would not be refunded either.

He went directly to the RTO office and met the RTO and informed him about this whole ordeal. RTO said it was not informed to him by the dealer and the number can't be changed now. My friend was completely shattered and felt very stressed on hearing this.

One of our relatives knows an RTO officer in Coimbatore Central and told him about this entire circus. He clearly understood things and calmly told him that there was an option to change the number even after it got assigned. Every one of us was very happy to hear this as we saw some light in this darkness.

Adding to this he called the Unit office RTO and helped with the steps on how to perform it in the system and also informed that these steps can be only done until the card is generated. It may take 2 to 3 days to generate the card and once it's done then nobody can change the number.

So finally he got the same number which he paid for and it was a very happy evening after all the issues were sorted out.

Here's what BHPian It's Magic had to say about the matter:

Thank you for your post. I was also not aware that the number can be changed after registration (till the card is created).

Wonder if this information is available in the public domain.

Here's what BHPian anjan_c2007 had to say about the matter:

It was a sort of nightmare for your friend. Not receiving a receipt even after making payment for the fancy number was the causative factor due to which the misunderstanding happened and a communication gap was created. Had there been a receipt, providing its copy to the dealer and his RTO broker would have not created the issue. But it seems that even after informing the SA and the dealer they had failed to act and help your friend.

And it's only because you had a relative who knew an RTO officer that the nightmare of your friend had a happy ending. Wishing you happy driving with your new car.

Here's what BHPian raptor_diwan had to say about the matter:

I'm glad it's resolved. If not, I can't imagine how your friend would feel driving the car with financial loss or regrets right from the registration day.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.