A Bus Ride and Car Re-Registration

After almost 6 or 7 years, I travelled by the MTC bus! I mostly work from home (WFH) and drop into office occasionally. Tuesday was one such day. I still don't know many people in this new office and have just one or two people for company. So, I checked with one of the colleagues and she too wanted to leave by 5 in the evening. Took a 'Share auto' from office to reach the bus stop and then boarded a bus to reach home. It cost me less than Rs 10. If I had taken an auto like I usually do, it would have cost me Rs 80. Gulp! Guilt.

There are so many new buses that have been introduced. My colleague apprised me on the variety. A normal white board, yellow board, Express and Air-conditioned buses with automatic doors! Wow! While we were waiting for our bus, I got to see a brand new A/C bus and it looked very sophisticated. The driver was wearing a khaki uniform with a neat peaked cap! I so wanted to board it, but unfortunately it was not going anywhere near my destination.

But then huddling together with 4 or 5 other people in a medium sized auto, what with the bulky laptop bag and lunch bag, and not to mention the crowded bus, again standing amidst all those jostling men and women... I don't mind the occasional 80 bucks. Unless I figure out the optimal time to take the bus. Maybe after 10 in the morning and return by 5 in the evening and then WFH... need to sort this out.



Now, after a couple of trips to the MCO (Most Corrupt Office)i.e the RTO, we paid the road tax and have obtained the receipt. Yay! Apparently, we can drive around with this, till we get our new number. I was amply warned by ArtNavy's post on re-registration. So we were kind of prepared for the routine. Since my dad knew someone who knew someone in the RTO, who in turn, knew someone else in car registration dept., things happened pretty fast. Of course we had to grease those already dirty hands! Thousands for tax and a few more thousands for the guy who moved the papers. I was seething with rage but C and dad told me that Anniyans and Indians happen only in movies! Sigh.

Anyway, there are 2 plays in Vani mahal this Sunday. Crazy's Chocolate Krishna at 4PM and SV Sekar's Vaal Paiyan at 7. Let us see if we are able to catch the latter. Need the weekend quota of laughter.

Household stuff for Chennai

A lame heading.. I know. But in case you have moved to Chennai recently, here are some websites and telephone numbers that you may find useful

PCI - Pest Control of India

Website: www.pcilindia.com
Telephone: 044 - 4301 2434

Personal Experience: We had a contract with PCI in Gurgaon (for 3 services a year). We had 2 services done in Gurgaon and before we could take the final one, we moved to Chennai. Upon calling them here, they were quite prompt in their service and completed the third one in the new house in Chennai.


LG Service Center

Telephone: 044 - 39 01 0909

Personal Experience: Again, very prompt service. But make sure to get the service fee clarified while calling them up for installation request. We were told it would cost about Rs.250 to install the AC. And in case there is a need for manual labour (like buying wood, sawing it for required length, fixing etc) then we have to pay Rs.600. We had all the wooden panels and other miscellaneous items (like the nuts, screws etc) ready. All he had to do was fix two small pieces of wood on either side and the A/C fitted in perfectly. But still the guy demanded Rs.600! Not sure why.. as he didn't have to buy wood or do any kind of heavy work. Since I was in office and hubby was away travelling, my parents were taking care of it.. and I didn't want to argue with him on phone. My dad, who was watching him do the work said that the next time onwards we can do this stuff ourselves. It apparently is that simple. Anyway, I was just glad it got done pronto!


Insect Screens (Netlon)

Telephone: 044-24726687

Experience: Seems very professional. They quoted Rs.25/sq.ft for Saint Gobain screens. They have other screens for lesser rates, but the quality too deteriorates with the price. Expecting to get it fixed tomorrow. Will post an update on how it goes.


Aquaguard

Telephone: 044 - 39 88 3333
Head office: 044 - 65517566

Experience: Worst of the lot. Have called up 18 times so far! No response. We have a complaint number and everytime we call them, we are assured of service the same day. This has been the case for the last 2 weeks! No one has bothered to call us even! We are planning to speak to the head office today. If we don't get a response from them as well, we are seriously thinking of going to their office and dump the machine with them and demand our money back. If they don't budge, we won't hesitate to take them to the Consumer court!! Believe me, their service (if at all we can call that) IS really THAT bad.

We are also in the process of getting our car re-registered.. will do a post on that separately.

Okie, let me get on the phone and see if I can catch those Aquaguard guys!

UPDATE: (on 26th Sept)

After another 5 or 6 calls, managed to get hold of a guy who does the installation/plumbing work. SO, finally we have got the Reverse osmosis system installed. Phew! Try googling Chennai, Aquaguard, Eureka and you can see the number of complaints people have filed. Am sooo tempted to give the mobile number of the guy who came and installed it for us.. he did a good job. But am not sure if it's ethical to do that. So, in case you are in Chennai and need to install any Aquaguard product, please leave a comment and I can email you the phone number.