Hi,
LONG POST.
I took delivery of the above on 22/03/2010.
As a rare case, I actually saw the car which is going to be given to me even before giving an advance for it.
20/03/2010
The following three images of the car are courtesy my friend who had come there for enquiring about accessories for his Nano.
I was asked for an advance of Rs 10000.00 to book the car. I insisted that I would take my own insurance. Then I was given this to complete the remaining formalities.
I was told that if I pay up on 22/03/2010, I would be able to take delivery on any subsequent day. And ironically that was the only day in the week horoscopically good to take delivery of the vehicle. Since my wife as well as in laws strongly believe that, a formal key handover ceremony was agreed upon for the 22nd.
When I asked for the VIN number, I was told that I can be given that only after invoicing and was advised to take an open cover note for insurance. Though I had already noted down the VIN from the car (they did not have another car in the same colour in their yard), I was not going to use it for the cover note and I did not tell them that I already had the VIN.
I had arranged for the DD by 09.30AM on 22nd. As soon as I got it, I called up my sales executive and told her that all papers would reach them in time for invoicing and temporary registration. I also requested her to give delivery of the vehicle that day evening itself even if it is a little late. She gave excuses and I asked her to talk to somebody higher up.
After half an hour, her colleague called up and repeated the same excuses. I explained to him that in spite of all the preliminary talks and test drives (multiple) with RF Motors (with whom I have been in touch since I took my Marina from them in 2005) all that they had in their favour was that they had the colour we wanted ready for delivery (RF Had only Black Aura Plus, and had other colours including Red in Aura ABS), the least that they could do was to give me this one concession. He said he would talk to their manager and get back.
Meanwhile my insurance paper was getting delayed due to computer problems at the insurance office.
At 11, my sales executive called and agreed to deliver the car that day itself provided all the necessary papers reach them by noon.
I packed off my driver with the DD and other papers (except the insurance) in my City and told him to reach it to the showroom.
The insurance paper reached me at 11.45. I left with it in my Marina and reached there an hour later. Meanwhile I was called and assured that formalities have been started and temporary registration would be done as soon as the insurance cover note reaches them. I reached there at 12.45 and handed over the papers.
I sent the driver back immediately in the Marina. Had some work in the Honda City and reached Alleppey at about 04.25. Five minutes later we (wife and myself) left for taking delivery of the car (the dealer was 52 kms away) with the driver on tow to drive back the Honda. Incidentally I had my lunch in the car while going to take delivery.
This is the first glimpse of it waiting to be handed over.
These are the papers which officially made it mine:
And the keys were officially handed over at this simple ceremony:
The lady in the light coloured with dots churidhar was my sales executive. The guy giving the keys to me is her senior colleague. And this was her first car delivery!
We left there only around 07.00PM (after a test drive in the brand new Petrol Punto demo car, again ours was the first demo run for the car) with a box of chocolates and a 5 Litre free diesel coupon.
Since RF had said that they would give mud flaps and floor mats, Concorde agreed to it, though they said no freebies initially. They had even put a mat in the boot.
The experience at Concorde, with both Femi and her senior colleague Vinod (they handle Manzas), was very good. Friendly, courteous and open (except for not giving the VIN).
Well.. more in the next post and that should draw 'We told you so' from the senior members.
Thanks in advance for all your good wishes.