Tuesday 20 August 2013

Fooled again..!!









I think this is the hundredth time that I must have been fooled.. I once went to the vegetable market after having a very busy and tiring day.. When I reached, I somehow managed to get some vegetables and the last being the tomatoes, I rushed to collect the fresh ones, put them in the basket and asked  " Bhaiyya.. Kitne ka hai?? Ek kilo de dena..!! "


 As soon as he told the price I looked at the purse and tried to find the necessary amount of money.. Here as I was fidgeting with my purse the bhaiyya droped some tomatoes out of the basket and gave me a few less tomatoes.. I noticed it.. And I couldnt believe he did it.. I wonder why does this only happen in my country..??


I did not bargain that day.. I was going to give him the exact money and still he found a shortcut.. So how much do we really need to be vigilant after a tiring day..?? I asked him to weigh the tomatoes again... (Yes.. I had to do it.. If I want a free India.. ) 


So he measured it again.. Made some excuses.. And then put the few tomatoes back without accepting  his mistake and said they just tripped off and that he was about to put them in my packet.. Phew..!!! My tiring day ended.. But can I forget this incident..??  No never..!! Because these kind of things  keep on repeating and I had to be vigilant each time..


The other day I told my maid to clean up the closet.. I went to another room to have a look at the old almirah which needed to be cleaned up.. When I returned back, she was looking outside the balcony .. Ofcourse she hadn't finished the chores but she insisted she had cleaned it already.. And she smartly managed to move on to another chore..


 I mean why can't one do a task given to you sincerely?? Why?? Later then I never had faith in her to give her more tasks requiring sincerity and so I decided to do it myself.. But what about sincerity.. ?? What about the responsibility with which she accepted the task?? Why can't they complete it in time..??


I am tired of looking up for things in the market and tired to look again and again..I keep checking if I have got the right thing.. I keep checking if I got the damaged piece.. Now that requires a lot of patience.. Oh yes.. !! But can I not be assured of the quality of my product when I am buying it and paying so much for it.. I have to still check for expiry dates on cosmetic products and dairy products.. Oh yes..!!  I have to do it.. Because some shopkeepers are smart at doing that.. They will quietly manage to give you the wrong product..and still get the price they smartly decide for the particular thing.. 


Also if you go to the sabji wala with your four wheeler he will just change the price.. A simple 20 rupees costing substance will be given to you at rupees hundred.. Now is that something worth tolerating.. ?? Should not the price be equal for everybody.. Also he told the other person who managed to come on a bicycle to buy the vegetables from somewhere else because he wouldn't be able to afford the other ones in his shop.. Now who is he to decide who should buy what and where?




 And now this ones really shocking.. I do not aim to jeopardise any particular companies name.. But yes..!! I was a fan of this so called delivery services.. I never thought something like this could come to India and so sincerely deliver products to our homes without any damage and at an affordable price.. I was recommended to try their service by a very senior practitioner.. And so I decided first to order some products.. Yes.. It was flipkart..



 I am glad to tell that of my 15- 20 orders on flipkart I received, all of them were delivered safely.. I was really content with the service.. I got all my cosmetic products, home appliances all well packed and delivered safely at a much lesser price and free of delivery charges.. I couldn't believe this was happening.. I was extremely satisfied..  Until one fine day when I had ordered two shampoos and a conditioner.


 When I opened it.. The bottle was half empty .. The shampoo was oozing out of it, the shampoo was completely damaging the book and  was lying in the same packet as that of the other products.. And the other cosmetic product bottle was half empty, contents of which were not even oozing out.. They had simply vanished..


I was astonished .. I never believed flipkart could do this to me.. I had so much faith in their delivery system.. I never wanted to complain but I couldn't just believe this happened to me.. I needed to complain.. So I called the customor service because already the product had reached me 15 days late.. 



 But I wonder what could have happened?? Is it that the delivery boy could have tried to mess with it or is it that during the transport it must have got damaged?? I somehow realised that each time I got an order separate things were packed in separate packets.. I couldn't believe that all of the three had been delivered to me in one packet.. But I did complain.. (Because I had to because tolerating it meant being given the same kind of thing again and again.)


But never since that day I dared to order it from the same company.. I really had lost faith.. I know such mistakes do happen.. But why do they happen in our country only???


And for the last one.. (for which I am suffering even now..) My hubby and I ordered pani puri at home.. He is not a huge fan of pani puri.. But still on that day he insisted we try this new person in town who delivers pani puri at home for only 150 bucks.. I was somewhat reluctant.. I like the bhelpuri chaats at my favourite stall in the neighbouring colony.. But then I changed my mind and we ordered it.. 


The pani puri came in sealed packet, in a box three times larger than a medium pizza box.. Everything in it was sealed.. The pani puri water was kept in a pepsi sized bottle.. All well packed.. It had well packed boiled potatoes, some 50 puris.. And not to forget some chutneys.. I was happy with packaging , the taste and everything.. But what happens next .. We both start to vomit after one hour of consumption..

 

My hubby managed to escape the ordeal and had only mild symptoms like nausea and mild headache.. But I did not sleep that night.. As it had to be, I had to go so many times to the loo.. And each time I really desperately wanted to find new adjectives for this new delivery person in town.. I didn't know what to do .. I was down with dehydration, loose motions and what not.. But I was helpless.. What could have been done..? I really don't know what he had delivered to us? But most importantly can we trust these people? Can such people be trusted in India ??? Next time a pizza or some chinese gets deliverd at your doorstep can they be trusted for good quality products?? Really can we trust them??



 

46 comments:

  1. YEs Priya, we have to be extra vigilant. Everyone even the beggar on the road acts like an invalid to get some free money. It is indeed difficult to trust everybody.

    Did Flipkart replace the product? Else, you have every right to get it replaced. Generally most online companies replace.

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  2. Yes.. We have to be extra vigilant.. But why can't we be assured of the quality when We are paying a high price for it.. And about the product on flipkart.. No I did not get it replaced.. !! :-( thanks for visiting my blog.. Keep coming..!!

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  3. Excellent write up. Most of the people are cheats. They want the money in your pocket come to their pocket without doing anything. When we visit India, in Chennai, we never bargain when we shop or take the auto. If we pay the auto drivers what they ask (without bargaining), they think they should have asked more money instead of being happy. At the end of the journey, they ask for extra rupees. So, on our recent visit to Chennai, we started to bargain, not for getting something cheaper but just for the heck of it.

    If you had bargained the price of tomatoes, he would not have tried to cheat you. Me think.

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    1. Yes.. I guess he would have not cheated if I had bargained.. But really it's disgusting when someone tries to cheat you.. !! And you are right in saying that they want the money in your pocket come to their pocket without doing anything..!!

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  4. hmm,illegal is legal in india. indians make living by cheating and everyone knows that.since most of them are cheats,they don't accept truth.

    cheating happens in every aspect of life in india.3 weeks back, i had vada,sambhar at popular udupi hotel tajmahal and had vomitings .when i went to apollo hospitals, they did all unnecessary diagnostic tests and forced me to spend thousands.in the end,gastroenterology surgeon prescribed same medicine that i took before visiting him.when you go to inox multiplex,they sell watery coffee four times the actual price.the list of cheats is unending.the number of gods in india represents the number of ways indians cheat you.you get cheated even inside and outside the temple.is n't that funny?there is a backdoor entry in software firms with fake experience after bribing HR manager.illiterates,literates...everyone is involved in cheating.

    you know what,when i buy kinley water,i check many times whether the shop guys filled it with tap water.i have to check sealing,mfd date,i have to shake the bottle for any particles to see whether its original.

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    1. Sorry to hear about the unnecessary tests you had to undergo while at the hospital.. It's high time we really need to distinguish the genuine from the false.. But as you said there is really not anyone who you can completely trust in India at least in terms of quality.. It's sad that people are cheated inside and outside of temples too..and I really do understand by what you meant by that back door entry into software firms which is very unfair.. All this makes me not trust on someone else again.. The option left is only to be extra vigilant though..!!

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    2. well priya,if someone cheats you or causes inconvenience,you can go hammer and tongs on those organisations by cyber means.when tajmahal hotel got me ill with their adulterated oil,i went to ZOMATO.COM and wrote a review without any mercy.same is with gastroenterology surgeon vishwas naik of apollo hospitals and inox,i went to facebook page of theirs and wrote in best embarrassing words.you can take on people from your laptop,one need not be afraid to write reviews and harsh feedback.i got apology letters from managers(operations) of apollo,inox,tajmahal and at the same time i embarrassed them in cyber world with my reviews.i din't leave even hyderabad traffic police,i went hammer n tongs on their HTP facebook page.cybering is simple and effective way to take on people.though cheats and frauds don't change,we can create certain fear in them.

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    3. Glad that you posted your honest reviews on their sites.. Atleast they wil think before making a mistake next time.. And yes.. We can create a fear on them so that they don't do this.. Thanks for having your say here..!!

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  5. I could not believe about Flip cart. We have bought many things from them and do not have any complaints. You should definitely complain so that this doesn't happen again.

    About the small vendors...most of the time I feel sorry for them because, the giants like Food world, Nilgiris etc. have snatched their business since people have stopped shopping with them. They don't mind paying more at the supermarkets instead of waiting to weigh and buy from them. But the main problem with the vendors is cheating as you have sighted in front of our eyes. It is very difficult for us to digest. Shopping at supermarkets is easy. The cost is displayed on the package and we know what we are getting for the amount. So, it is to their, vendors' disadvantage. Then they cry that they don't have business because of the super markets!

    Felt sorry reading about the pani puri. It is unfortunate that we have to tolerate these people. We can just stop buying from them, nothing else.

    As Rohan says, I too check the water for particles. We cannot believe anyone now!

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    1. Hi sandhya.. Yes..it's really difficult to believe anyone now.. Somehow I wish all this never happens to us again.. But we need to be extra vigilant while buying.. ! That's the only thing we can do..

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  6. Oh I hear you, sistah! I've been a big fan of Flipkart until recently when they've started to delay deliveries and send weird people with their packages! :(

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    1. Yes.. They have delayed my deliveries too.. And yes they send some weird people these days.. I guess they have tied up with the local vendors who give them commission instead.. Thanks for visiting my blog..

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  7. One problem I face routinely mainly in remote towns is, when I ask for mineral water, I get 'Kinlay' or 'Aqua Vina' with the same packaging (colours, design, etc) but with the price tag of the MNC water bottles. Since they (should be) healthier than the tap water, I have to drink them, but mostly I find out only when I open the water bottles at the bus/train.

    Fortunately, in and around my house they don't cheat so much. At least in the shops that I go to. Yes, people sometimes vary price based on how much we can pay - but some comparison shopping will fix it (somewhat).

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    1. Yes.. One has to be really particular while buying a mineral water bottle.. Look for the sealed cap.. And look for the brand name.. They keep coming up with Milan names each time.. Thanks fr visiting my blog..!

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    2. *i meant similar brand names each time..

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  8. About the subzi wala and your maid, I can say that they were using what are called "weapons of the weak". About the delivery services, I would advise you to file a consumer complaint! The thing with India is that people do not take up these things seriously!

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    1. Yeah.." Weapons of the weak.." And they are the ones that keep coming to you for a free treatment..and yes.. We need to complain.. Now I have a big complaint waiting list to complete.. Thanks for stopping by.. !

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  9. I saw a few comments regarding filing complaints above me. I hate to burst everyones bubble but that would be the biggest mistake you make.
    You're imagining an India where justice is ...well, just. Thats pure fiction. The only thing that will happen is you attract the wrong sort of elements towards you who will threaten you - and yes, i do also mean the police who will get their bribe from the parties you complain against.
    This is from personal experience of quite a few bloggers.. have been having a discussion on this over the past few days with quite a few.

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    1. Hi Roshan.. Yes.. I understand what you are saying and that is the truth frankly.. this sadly does happen. I don't know about the complian thing but yes I definitely will say it in his face one day.. I do it every time I encounter something wrong.. And I know the threatening part you are talking about.. People do that.. !

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  10. Perhaps that's the way how society runs these days. We need to be vigilant from our side and make sure we are right, in whatever we say or do.

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    1. Yes.. Vigilance is the key..! Thanks for visiting my blog..!

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  11. So difficult to trust the mail delivery systems as service industry is still in infancy and does not care for customer satisfaction:(

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  12. Yes.. Very difficult to trust indeed.. Thanks for stopping by..!

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  13. It is in our interest to be vigilant. An egg less or weighing less quantity or even not giving back the change is a common practice.
    Regarding Flipkart... it is shocking. Good that you complained.

    PS: It is a request, pls remove word verification from comments. Thanks :)

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    1. Yes Shilpa.. These things are really common.. And one has to be very vigilant with these people.... I removed the word verification. Thanks for bringing it to my notice and thanks for stopping by..!!

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  14. Everything comes with its own dilemma. Luckily i did not have any real issue with Flipkart. But i would not take a risk with food for sure. Thanks for your post was an eye opener.

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  15. Yes neither did I have any issues with flipkart until now... Its just that if you loose faith one time you never want to be attached with it .. :-( well.. Thanks for visiting my blog..!

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  16. Such is the condition of our country where everyone tries to rip you off and you cannot even flash a genuine smile at someone without getting into trouble for it.

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    1. Yes.. It's indeed a bad situation to find yourself fooled.. And when you loose your hard earned money because of someone's trick its really horrible.. Thanks for stopping by..

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  17. Haha. Wow. That is just too much to comment on. But I do hope that you get well soon. :)

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    1. Hey thanks.. I am ok now.. Except for the fact that yesterday I got myself a cosmetic product.. When I opened it the box was completely broken.. So much so the plastic in it had melted.. I decided I had to exchange it so I did it the same day but when I got the same product back it was horrible and sticky.. More pathetic than before.. I thought the shopkeeper learnt a lesson but even after changing he gave me the false product..

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  18. I hate this feeling of being cheated. Corruption and cheating have become common and acceptable. Sad.

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    1. Hi alka.. Thanks for stopping by.. It's sad indeed that corruption and cheating have become common.. People do it as if it has become a habit itself.. It's disheartening each time to see yourself being cheated and yet one cannot do anything about it..

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  19. Sorry story.But this is how it is and we have to be the change to get the change.I find it funny how you wrote two times that i didn't want to say it or complain but yet i did.Why wouldn't you like to do it..a hundred times you would do it when after all you don't want the country in loose motions would you? :)
    take care

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    1. Yes.. I was reluctant the first time.. It's only because its hard to believe how can one cheat someone to such an extent.. Even after exchanging it the second time the shopkeeper managed to give the fabricated product.. Now what do you call that then??
      Thanks for visiting my blog Alcina..!!

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  20. Cheating is the quickest way to jump from Rags to Riches. Don't you think?? Everybody deceives. Then why do we forget there's always a Tit for a Tat!!! :)

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    1. Yes.. Everybody decieves but there is some limit to some things.. Imagine would that person give the same fabricated product to his son or daughter?? No.. Never.. The only thing we can do is boycott the company or brand which does malingering.. So that they develop a fear for the customer and the" kuch bhi chalti hai attitude" does not work..!

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  21. they know all the escape routes and have little care, in reality, for the customers.

    thanks for visiting me..
    hope to see u more :)

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    1. Hi jyoti..! Yeah.. Sadly they know all the escape routes.. Thanks for visiting my page too..

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  22. Yes, such cheating happens everywhere :/

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  23. Yes..such cheating does happen.. And sadly it keep repeating each time..!!

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  24. Get to the consumer court.... THen they will never do it again! I have had similar experiences n still dealing with one right now.... Sometimes just have to fight our way through...

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  25. So you have moved away from your wordpress blog?? I have been away for a long time so catching up with the posts I missed. This feeling of being cheated is so irritating.

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  26. That must feel terrible, being fooled time after time. The worst part is that there is very little you can do about it. *Sigh*

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