Customer-Showroom Dispute Escalates at Football Chowk
A dispute between a customer and employees of GS Honda showroom at Football Chowk in Jalandhar escalated into a major confrontation after a customer complained about repeated problems with his newly purchased Activa.
The customer, identified as Deepak, a resident of Central Town, claimed that he purchased the scooter around 24 days ago. According to him, he had filled the scooter's tank and travelled towards Nangal when it allegedly began experiencing problems on the way.
Deepak claimed the scooter started malfunctioning on the highway and that he narrowly escaped a road accident.
Customer Alleges Repeated Problems With New Activa
According to Deepak, he returned to the showroom to report the issue and seek a solution. He alleged that showroom employees advised him not to put more than ₹200 worth of petrol in the new Activa during the initial two months.
The customer questioned the advice, saying that if the scooter stops or develops problems while travelling outside Jalandhar, repeatedly stopping to refuel would not be practical.
Deepak further alleged that the scooter continued to stop while he was travelling to Garhshankar and claimed that he had faced difficulties getting the vehicle properly inspected and serviced.
He also accused some showroom employees of allegedly misbehaving with him and claimed that despite arriving at the showroom to get the scooter repaired, he was not receiving a satisfactory response.
Customer Puts Posters on Activas Outside Showroom
Frustrated with the situation, Deepak took his protest outside the showroom.
He reportedly placed posters outside the premises carrying a message advising customers not to put more than ₹200 worth of petrol in the scooter.
Deepak also claimed that he had separately paid ₹10,000 to obtain a preferred registration number for the scooter and questioned the experience of dealing with repeated issues in a vehicle that was only around 24 days old.
Showroom Cites Service Queue During Dispute
The showroom presented a different version of events.
Supervisor Deepak said he reached the showroom at around 9:25 am, when approximately 25 customers had already arrived for Activa servicing.
According to him, the customer's vehicle had been assigned the 23rd position in the service queue. The supervisor said that when the customer approached him regarding the problem, the service process was already handling vehicles ahead of his.
He further alleged that the customer behaved improperly with him during the dispute.
Showroom Says Fuel-Filling Advice Was Related to Vehicle Issue
A showroom representative also addressed the issue of fuel filling.
The representative said customers are generally advised against filling the fuel tank completely because, according to the showroom, excess fuel and gas formation can contribute to problems with the vehicle.
The representative claimed that similar concerns had been observed in the relevant model since 2023 and said the customer had also been advised not to fill the tank completely. He also said that the concerns are related to the E-20 fuel and not just them but everybody is facing similar problems since a significant time period
However, the showroom supervisor reportedly clarified that telling customers not to put more than ₹200 worth of petrol was not the correct way to communicate the advice.
Dispute Leaves Questions Over Customer Service
The confrontation has brought attention to the concerns of customers who purchase new vehicles and expect prompt resolution when technical problems arise.
While the customer has alleged repeated vehicle problems and poor service, the showroom has attributed the dispute partly to the service queue and fuel-related concerns.
The exact technical cause of the Activa's reported malfunction has not been independently established. The dispute ultimately highlights the importance of clear communication between dealerships and customers when a newly purchased vehicle develops problems.
In conversation with TrueScoop, GS Honda showroom owner, Gurinder Pal Singh stated that they are looking into the matter and are concluding it. He also urged other customers to cooperate with the authorities