Early last month in July once I started from home for office in my car. My phone was connected on Bluetooth speaker device and I was talking to a friend while driving. There came a call on waiting. I asked my friend to hang up. The waiting call got attended and heard the voice of a typically call center type "Hello Mam"... shay... thought of hanging up the call, but just then he completed the sentence saying that he was calling from Mercedes Benz!
Mercedes Benz??? Really? "Whats up?" I said to myself. In that few seconds firstly I thought did I win anything in some contest?
I had participated in Dynamic 1 contest... but that was of BMW...
So why is he calling me???
The call proceeded... myself-" yes tell me"
MB associate - "Mam I am calling from Mercedes Benz. Are you interested a Test Drive?"
Me in my mind - Test Drive? Direct test drive sathi vichartoy.. sahiye..
Me to him - Hmm yes.. sure.
MB Associate - Sure mam.. we have A B C D.. and he A class is beginning @29lacs only and we give great finances with only 5 lac down payment... bla bla bla bla bla...
Me - ok
MB Associate - bla bla bla bla
Me (while I am driving) - ok.. ok... ok...
MB Associate - So mam which model would like to test drive?
Me - aaahh... am not sure... [I was not even aware of all the models and which one shud I be asking for]
He himself said that he will arrange for A class. I said OK.
He mentioned that an associate will be assigned and he will call back for the test drive And I can call the car at my residence or office.
Huh!
I said OK. And the call ended.
From Nowhere.. don't know from where.. I got this call. I had never made any inquiry for MB. Only thing I have liked its page on Fb.
Whatever.. from wherever... but I was happy, that one call made by mood and my day. I spent the remaining of day in its thoughts and its talks in office.
Days passed, but I didnt receive any call. The hope of MB test drive started setting down. And in some days I forgot about it.
Then one fine day in July 2nd last week, I was at my desk working. And at around 12pm I received a call. I saw the number was unknown, and actualy thought of missing it. But still somehow I attended that call.
And! there it goes... - "hello Mam, I am Rohit Sharma from MB Auto Hanger Prabhadevi, and I am assigned as spoc for you. You had asked for a test drive, right mam. So please let me know where do you want to have it?"
Me - Aaahhh!!!! hmmm... hmmmm .... OMG! (in my mind)
Me - yes yes I had asked. I do want to have a test drive, but I will get back to you.
Mb Associate - Ok mam. nps. I will sms you my number, you can either come to our showroom or I will get the car where you wish.
Me -ok sure...
Call ended.
I was surprised... how come these guys are calling me. And I had heard that we have to show our bank balance etc... even for a test drive..
I really felt lucky. Aray aisa mauka fir kaha milega...
Days passed. This opportunity stayed at the back of my mind. I was busy delivering releases @office.. :)
Many a times I thought ... calling the car near office or at residence wud not be good. Prabhadevi jaake hi dekhna padega... But shud I? Or shud I just let it be...
After my sign off of current release I was on leave for one day.. that day also I thought that I shud materialize that opportunity by going to Prabhadevi... but I didnt do it.
Sometimes I also thought as to whom shud I take with me. I wanted the test drive to be video shot.
But just thoughts came in and went out... thats it...
Then in Aug first week, we went to Bhimshankar Trip with hewitt katta group. In that Chandu or someone spoke about taking test drive. And we spoke more about it...
Post that thought came to my mind.. that - Opportunity has already knocked on my phone and I am turning my deaf ears to it!!! ??
Like they say... Mercedes Benz mathe par Tilak lagane ki rah dekh rahi hai.. aur main muh dhone main busy hu :p
Hmm.... I did realize that I should not let this opportunity go.
Then approached my B'day... on 8 Aug.. And I go to Siddhi Vinayak every year on my Bday.
There it struck me... and As I am already going to Prabhadevi... I should go to Auto hanger...
And which else can be a better day other than ones bday... to Test Drive Mercedes Benz...
So on 7Aug.. in office.. I thought a lot.. again and agian.. and finally gave a call to that Rohit Sharma... And spoke to him...
He was very welcoming. He was very positive and boosted me. I felt better actually, and got a little confidence. In my mind I had complex though the inferior one ;-) ....
In that call he no where spoke or asked my about intention of buying... that was strange and interesting...
I asked him if I have to get any of my documents ... like salary slips or bank stmts..he said just get your driving license... he will TRY to arrange a test drive...
Hmm... that TRY word was upsetting... :( ... anyways.. atleast I would get to see the car how it is.. if not test drive...
Also.. I asked him to sms me the address. He said that he will email me the complete brochure. so I had to sms him my email id. So I did.
After that the whole day went really busy at office. I forgot abt MB and also forgot that next day was my bday.
By EOD, after I reached home, all these thoughts came back to my mind. I wondered that this guy didnt sms me the address. Is he fooling around with me. Chod yaar... wo samaj gaya hoga.. ki yeh lene wali toh hai nahi.. isko khali test drive chahiye :) So may be he didnt bother to send the details to me.
But still with hope I opened Gmail. I scrolled down through plenty unread emails... and to my pleasant surprise there was a mail. He had kept his words.. and he had emailed me the price list and brochure.
I realize that I am only making a big deal of this in my mind. While that guy so far had behaved and treated me like any other customer.
But I didnt check that brochure that night, I was busy attending calls of my bday wishes.
That night I was a bit holded... and conscious... about the fact that next morning I have committed to goto Auto Hanger Mercedes Showroom....
Even going in MBs showroom was far big thing for me... and Test Drive!!! Huh... that would be beyond my thoughts...
But it was going to happen... it was planned already...
Mala dadpan aala hota... As to etki mahagdi gaadi test drive karna... is that a right decision...
I thought to my self.. if its a good decision to test drive such an expensive car.. just for the sake of satisfaction...
What if anything goes wrong... can I handle it? Hmm.... but still non of these thoughts were strong enuf to change my decision.
Next day Mom was going to come with me to Siddhi Vinayak I asked to wear a good saree... :) for myself also I thought that I shud atleast look presentable.. ..should not look stupid....
I dont know ... but at the back of my mind... I was very conscious of going to MB showroom.
The Day arises... 8Aug.
I had informed them that I will come by 10-1030. But, I started from home at 10am...
Before leaving, I sat on my comp and went thru the brochures and price list. I thought to myself that at least to look or pretend that I am a serious buyer I shud know something about the model I am going to see.
Post that we started. I was driving. I was again thinking that a normal customer who shud be buying would check same segment ke other models, of other makes. Would know about it. But I didnt know anything.
Just then on Fm.. came the BMW X1 ka ad... they were advertising BMW x1 for 22 lacs ka price...
and I heard that ad carefully :)
Good... I got some more info. I was surprised... MB A class 29lacs... and BMW X1 at 22lacs??? so much diff... that gave me something to talk about and make myself look like a serious buyer :-p
My confidence bumped up.
This shows how much of a Big Deal it was for me... to Enter a MB Showroom, and take a test drive..
While on the way driving to Siddhi Vinayak with my mom... again s3 was connected to bluetooth speaker.. and the phn rang.. it was Rohit Sharma.. asking when I was going to come. I informed that I m running late and would come by 1130 12pm.
I faced a lot of traffic. My left leg is aching very badly now... continuous clutch and break... it took me 1.5 hrs from Govandi to reach Siddhi Vinayak.
Then at around 12.45 I started from SiddhiVinayak. I check the route to Auto Hanger on maps and kept the navigation mode on and started.
Hmm... Finally... came the showroom. I parked my Ritz... and entered the show room.
I noticed ... that the receptionist and other staff was very welcoming. My Mom had a more complex than me. But by now.. I was pretty fine... Infact one of my friend prev night had given me a tip.. that I should go and talk as if its just another car.. ;-)
So I was fine by now...
Rohit Sharma finally came. We were asked for Tea coffee or cold drinks... but we had only water... I atleast drank water.. my mom didnt even drink water...
After a bit exchange of words with Rohit we proceeded to the Car. I took my mom too ...
O mann.... and there I saw.. MB A classs.... what a car man... He asked me to sit inside on the driver seat. I did. I asked my Mom to sit behind. She also did. Rohit sat on the navigators seat and started explaning me.
When I put my hands on the steering.. my left hand automatically went to gears... and right then Rohit said.. - Mam this has no gears...
Me - Oh! ya.. so this one is Auto Transmission...
Rohit - Mam all MBs are Auto Transmissions...
Me - Oh! ok. :-P
He continued to explain me features of the car... I listened carefully. I never knew how a auto transmission works.. and on the top of that MB had so much functions.. so many buttons..
Just WOW...
I learnt the Park, Drive and Reverse modes.. I took good KT from him while mom sat on the back seat with hesitation :)
I told him tat it would be first time that i would be switching from Manual to auto transmission car.. so I am not aware.
Rohit.. treated me well. He explained me all features. He never till in any interactions disrespected or ill treated me. He never made me feel small... though I myself had the feeling in my mind.
I loved the electronic mirror adjusts, seats n steering electronic adjusts.. plus 4 setting of all these mirror+steering+seat cud be stored, in case more than one person drives the car.
My eyes went on the speedometer... which showed numbers till 260...!!!!
He showed me that even the head lights has a sprinkler. So when we start the windscreen sprinkler the headlights also get cleaned...
The security features were also over... expectations...
And above all.. what he said... this car constantly monitors the driver... and if it detects that the driver is feeling sleepy then the coffee mug icon on the screen increases in size...
About the features I cant stop writing... beyond my imagination.
Then I asked him if I can take a video... he said surely I can... :) And here is the video.
Watch Mercedes Benz A Class
Also... the key of MB was like a USB pen drive...
the boot space was superb...
N it seems INTL stds... dont give spare wheel, but these ppl give. I was like.. OK... generally stepny toh hoti hi hai na... then he said.- No mam.. in premium cars a free extra tyre is never given.. but we do give with A class.
Me - Hmmmm .....ok....
Then I asked him about services... l asked bout free services kitna hai and kitna kms main...
He - No mam in any premiums cars u never get free services.. you have to pay for it...
Me - O... ok.
He - yes mam. so the first svc will be generally recommended at 1yr or 15k kms...
Me - and how much is the cost
He - at around 22k.
Me - ok... (as if its a pretty small amt :P )
Me- ok... fine... so shall we proceed for the test drive.?
He - yea sure...
And there we go... My mom was not ready to come... but I forced her to come. I could never allow my mom to miss this chance.
I took the key in my hand. Silver Colored MB A 180 diesel was waiting outside for me :)
I was tensed...worried that now its peek time... and there would be lot of traffic outside .. and this was right in the middle of the city in Prabha Devi...
But it was a courage...that I did... took the risk of still test driving a expensive premium car...in peek hrs in Mumbai at Prabhadevi
I started the car. I knew I can do it.. its not a big deal.. just that I was worried that how far ahead does the cars bonet goes.. so that I know if its going to touch anyting or not...
Suprisingly it didnt have front sensors... so while entering I took a look at the lenght of the front bonet.. ..
Then finally, the drive started.
Mom was sitting behind. And Rohit besides.
I started pretty slow. Carefully took the car outside on the busy prabhadevi roads. Bahar nikalte hi signal tha. We went straight.
While driving he started explaining me the features again, and I was actually experimenting them. I was pleased and impressed at every point.
The ease and simplicity of driving. The peace in traffic.. due the thoroughly insulated cabin. The comfortable seat... its Eco mode... its Hold mode... its sports mode... its paddle shift gears...its reverse.. hai ram...
I am impressed. in my mind.. I was on and on with WOW.. WOW... WOW... Oh! Oh! Oh!...
slowly when I got the grip... I increased the speed... but didnt go over 60 I guess..
waise bhi waha per traffic etna tha..
I didnt realize when aournd 20mins passed and we were back in the showroom... safely...yea...
Then He came with the price list again... he again showed me the B class and C class...
B class and A class are same look alikes... just that
B class is chair seat, more of utility car... more boot space than A class
A class is bucket seat, more of sports car, cheaper by 1 lac.
I like B calss more.
C class and above were sedans...
Finally he asked me by when can I call you back? I said I will take over a month ... I have just started checking the cars... wil take some time :)
And with this I exited the showroom... with great pleasure and highs... I came back to grounds.. crossed the road to see my Ritz waiting for me :)
Back to the reality .. I was in my Maruti Suzuki Ritz... shifting manual gears... adjusting the mirrors with my hands ...pushng the seat back and forth.. :P
What a day!
Mercedes Benz??? Really? "Whats up?" I said to myself. In that few seconds firstly I thought did I win anything in some contest?
I had participated in Dynamic 1 contest... but that was of BMW...
So why is he calling me???
The call proceeded... myself-" yes tell me"
MB associate - "Mam I am calling from Mercedes Benz. Are you interested a Test Drive?"
Me in my mind - Test Drive? Direct test drive sathi vichartoy.. sahiye..
Me to him - Hmm yes.. sure.
MB Associate - Sure mam.. we have A B C D.. and he A class is beginning @29lacs only and we give great finances with only 5 lac down payment... bla bla bla bla bla...
Me - ok
MB Associate - bla bla bla bla
Me (while I am driving) - ok.. ok... ok...
MB Associate - So mam which model would like to test drive?
Me - aaahh... am not sure... [I was not even aware of all the models and which one shud I be asking for]
He himself said that he will arrange for A class. I said OK.
He mentioned that an associate will be assigned and he will call back for the test drive And I can call the car at my residence or office.
Huh!
I said OK. And the call ended.
From Nowhere.. don't know from where.. I got this call. I had never made any inquiry for MB. Only thing I have liked its page on Fb.
Whatever.. from wherever... but I was happy, that one call made by mood and my day. I spent the remaining of day in its thoughts and its talks in office.
Days passed, but I didnt receive any call. The hope of MB test drive started setting down. And in some days I forgot about it.
Then one fine day in July 2nd last week, I was at my desk working. And at around 12pm I received a call. I saw the number was unknown, and actualy thought of missing it. But still somehow I attended that call.
And! there it goes... - "hello Mam, I am Rohit Sharma from MB Auto Hanger Prabhadevi, and I am assigned as spoc for you. You had asked for a test drive, right mam. So please let me know where do you want to have it?"
Me - Aaahhh!!!! hmmm... hmmmm .... OMG! (in my mind)
Me - yes yes I had asked. I do want to have a test drive, but I will get back to you.
Mb Associate - Ok mam. nps. I will sms you my number, you can either come to our showroom or I will get the car where you wish.
Me -ok sure...
Call ended.
I was surprised... how come these guys are calling me. And I had heard that we have to show our bank balance etc... even for a test drive..
I really felt lucky. Aray aisa mauka fir kaha milega...
Days passed. This opportunity stayed at the back of my mind. I was busy delivering releases @office.. :)
Many a times I thought ... calling the car near office or at residence wud not be good. Prabhadevi jaake hi dekhna padega... But shud I? Or shud I just let it be...
After my sign off of current release I was on leave for one day.. that day also I thought that I shud materialize that opportunity by going to Prabhadevi... but I didnt do it.
Sometimes I also thought as to whom shud I take with me. I wanted the test drive to be video shot.
But just thoughts came in and went out... thats it...
Then in Aug first week, we went to Bhimshankar Trip with hewitt katta group. In that Chandu or someone spoke about taking test drive. And we spoke more about it...
Post that thought came to my mind.. that - Opportunity has already knocked on my phone and I am turning my deaf ears to it!!! ??
Like they say... Mercedes Benz mathe par Tilak lagane ki rah dekh rahi hai.. aur main muh dhone main busy hu :p
Hmm.... I did realize that I should not let this opportunity go.
Then approached my B'day... on 8 Aug.. And I go to Siddhi Vinayak every year on my Bday.
There it struck me... and As I am already going to Prabhadevi... I should go to Auto hanger...
And which else can be a better day other than ones bday... to Test Drive Mercedes Benz...
So on 7Aug.. in office.. I thought a lot.. again and agian.. and finally gave a call to that Rohit Sharma... And spoke to him...
He was very welcoming. He was very positive and boosted me. I felt better actually, and got a little confidence. In my mind I had complex though the inferior one ;-) ....
In that call he no where spoke or asked my about intention of buying... that was strange and interesting...
I asked him if I have to get any of my documents ... like salary slips or bank stmts..he said just get your driving license... he will TRY to arrange a test drive...
Hmm... that TRY word was upsetting... :( ... anyways.. atleast I would get to see the car how it is.. if not test drive...
Also.. I asked him to sms me the address. He said that he will email me the complete brochure. so I had to sms him my email id. So I did.
After that the whole day went really busy at office. I forgot abt MB and also forgot that next day was my bday.
By EOD, after I reached home, all these thoughts came back to my mind. I wondered that this guy didnt sms me the address. Is he fooling around with me. Chod yaar... wo samaj gaya hoga.. ki yeh lene wali toh hai nahi.. isko khali test drive chahiye :) So may be he didnt bother to send the details to me.
But still with hope I opened Gmail. I scrolled down through plenty unread emails... and to my pleasant surprise there was a mail. He had kept his words.. and he had emailed me the price list and brochure.
I realize that I am only making a big deal of this in my mind. While that guy so far had behaved and treated me like any other customer.
But I didnt check that brochure that night, I was busy attending calls of my bday wishes.
That night I was a bit holded... and conscious... about the fact that next morning I have committed to goto Auto Hanger Mercedes Showroom....
Even going in MBs showroom was far big thing for me... and Test Drive!!! Huh... that would be beyond my thoughts...
But it was going to happen... it was planned already...
Mala dadpan aala hota... As to etki mahagdi gaadi test drive karna... is that a right decision...
I thought to my self.. if its a good decision to test drive such an expensive car.. just for the sake of satisfaction...
What if anything goes wrong... can I handle it? Hmm.... but still non of these thoughts were strong enuf to change my decision.
Next day Mom was going to come with me to Siddhi Vinayak I asked to wear a good saree... :) for myself also I thought that I shud atleast look presentable.. ..should not look stupid....
I dont know ... but at the back of my mind... I was very conscious of going to MB showroom.
The Day arises... 8Aug.
I had informed them that I will come by 10-1030. But, I started from home at 10am...
Before leaving, I sat on my comp and went thru the brochures and price list. I thought to myself that at least to look or pretend that I am a serious buyer I shud know something about the model I am going to see.
Post that we started. I was driving. I was again thinking that a normal customer who shud be buying would check same segment ke other models, of other makes. Would know about it. But I didnt know anything.
Just then on Fm.. came the BMW X1 ka ad... they were advertising BMW x1 for 22 lacs ka price...
and I heard that ad carefully :)
Good... I got some more info. I was surprised... MB A class 29lacs... and BMW X1 at 22lacs??? so much diff... that gave me something to talk about and make myself look like a serious buyer :-p
My confidence bumped up.
This shows how much of a Big Deal it was for me... to Enter a MB Showroom, and take a test drive..
While on the way driving to Siddhi Vinayak with my mom... again s3 was connected to bluetooth speaker.. and the phn rang.. it was Rohit Sharma.. asking when I was going to come. I informed that I m running late and would come by 1130 12pm.
I faced a lot of traffic. My left leg is aching very badly now... continuous clutch and break... it took me 1.5 hrs from Govandi to reach Siddhi Vinayak.
Then at around 12.45 I started from SiddhiVinayak. I check the route to Auto Hanger on maps and kept the navigation mode on and started.
Hmm... Finally... came the showroom. I parked my Ritz... and entered the show room.
I noticed ... that the receptionist and other staff was very welcoming. My Mom had a more complex than me. But by now.. I was pretty fine... Infact one of my friend prev night had given me a tip.. that I should go and talk as if its just another car.. ;-)
So I was fine by now...
Rohit Sharma finally came. We were asked for Tea coffee or cold drinks... but we had only water... I atleast drank water.. my mom didnt even drink water...
After a bit exchange of words with Rohit we proceeded to the Car. I took my mom too ...
O mann.... and there I saw.. MB A classs.... what a car man... He asked me to sit inside on the driver seat. I did. I asked my Mom to sit behind. She also did. Rohit sat on the navigators seat and started explaning me.
When I put my hands on the steering.. my left hand automatically went to gears... and right then Rohit said.. - Mam this has no gears...
Me - Oh! ya.. so this one is Auto Transmission...
Rohit - Mam all MBs are Auto Transmissions...
Me - Oh! ok. :-P
He continued to explain me features of the car... I listened carefully. I never knew how a auto transmission works.. and on the top of that MB had so much functions.. so many buttons..
Just WOW...
I learnt the Park, Drive and Reverse modes.. I took good KT from him while mom sat on the back seat with hesitation :)
I told him tat it would be first time that i would be switching from Manual to auto transmission car.. so I am not aware.
Rohit.. treated me well. He explained me all features. He never till in any interactions disrespected or ill treated me. He never made me feel small... though I myself had the feeling in my mind.
I loved the electronic mirror adjusts, seats n steering electronic adjusts.. plus 4 setting of all these mirror+steering+seat cud be stored, in case more than one person drives the car.
My eyes went on the speedometer... which showed numbers till 260...!!!!
He showed me that even the head lights has a sprinkler. So when we start the windscreen sprinkler the headlights also get cleaned...
The security features were also over... expectations...
And above all.. what he said... this car constantly monitors the driver... and if it detects that the driver is feeling sleepy then the coffee mug icon on the screen increases in size...
About the features I cant stop writing... beyond my imagination.
Then I asked him if I can take a video... he said surely I can... :) And here is the video.
Watch Mercedes Benz A Class
Also... the key of MB was like a USB pen drive...
the boot space was superb...
N it seems INTL stds... dont give spare wheel, but these ppl give. I was like.. OK... generally stepny toh hoti hi hai na... then he said.- No mam.. in premium cars a free extra tyre is never given.. but we do give with A class.
Me - Hmmmm .....ok....
Then I asked him about services... l asked bout free services kitna hai and kitna kms main...
He - No mam in any premiums cars u never get free services.. you have to pay for it...
Me - O... ok.
He - yes mam. so the first svc will be generally recommended at 1yr or 15k kms...
Me - and how much is the cost
He - at around 22k.
Me - ok... (as if its a pretty small amt :P )
Me- ok... fine... so shall we proceed for the test drive.?
He - yea sure...
And there we go... My mom was not ready to come... but I forced her to come. I could never allow my mom to miss this chance.
I took the key in my hand. Silver Colored MB A 180 diesel was waiting outside for me :)
I was tensed...worried that now its peek time... and there would be lot of traffic outside .. and this was right in the middle of the city in Prabha Devi...
But it was a courage...that I did... took the risk of still test driving a expensive premium car...in peek hrs in Mumbai at Prabhadevi
I started the car. I knew I can do it.. its not a big deal.. just that I was worried that how far ahead does the cars bonet goes.. so that I know if its going to touch anyting or not...
Suprisingly it didnt have front sensors... so while entering I took a look at the lenght of the front bonet.. ..
Then finally, the drive started.
Mom was sitting behind. And Rohit besides.
I started pretty slow. Carefully took the car outside on the busy prabhadevi roads. Bahar nikalte hi signal tha. We went straight.
While driving he started explaining me the features again, and I was actually experimenting them. I was pleased and impressed at every point.
The ease and simplicity of driving. The peace in traffic.. due the thoroughly insulated cabin. The comfortable seat... its Eco mode... its Hold mode... its sports mode... its paddle shift gears...its reverse.. hai ram...
I am impressed. in my mind.. I was on and on with WOW.. WOW... WOW... Oh! Oh! Oh!...
slowly when I got the grip... I increased the speed... but didnt go over 60 I guess..
waise bhi waha per traffic etna tha..
I didnt realize when aournd 20mins passed and we were back in the showroom... safely...yea...
Then He came with the price list again... he again showed me the B class and C class...
B class and A class are same look alikes... just that
B class is chair seat, more of utility car... more boot space than A class
A class is bucket seat, more of sports car, cheaper by 1 lac.
I like B calss more.
C class and above were sedans...
Finally he asked me by when can I call you back? I said I will take over a month ... I have just started checking the cars... wil take some time :)
And with this I exited the showroom... with great pleasure and highs... I came back to grounds.. crossed the road to see my Ritz waiting for me :)
Back to the reality .. I was in my Maruti Suzuki Ritz... shifting manual gears... adjusting the mirrors with my hands ...pushng the seat back and forth.. :P
What a day!
