Transportation is an essence of life that helps us to carry out of daily schedule in accordance with our timetable.
India has witnessed a sudden rise in the number of agencies, who have come out with an idea of car hire at affordable prices. We cannot write off the necessity of cars in our day to day life. A two-wheeler may just carry two people but when the whole family of 5 to 6 person or more need to travel to the same place and together, that is when the need for a four-wheeler becomes a must. A car rental agency in Siliguri has witnessed huge demand for the requirement of car hire at Siliguri.
In a survey conducted 3 years ago, it was found that there are an estimated 41 vehicles per 1000 people in India and now the number of vehicles may have reached around 60 million in the year 2018.
Though there are 60 million vehicles in India, the passenger vehicle used for public transport and hire are much lesser than estimated which brings a huge demand for car hire services across India. This demand has resulted in leading global car hire companies rooting their services on Indian roads. The newer concept of hiring a car for self-drive has also been very popular.
Siliguri itself has witnessed recent self-drive companies like Zoomcar, Jayanti Travels who hire out available cars for specific hours at a specific rate. The self-drive car hire services are much in use and the services are being made familiar to the public of Siliguri.
A Good Car Hire is always a desire #AapKaSathi Jayanti Travels https://t.co/OKVkL4CKqT pic.twitter.com/ZEvzDrGbD2
� Jayanti Travels (@jayanti_travels) May 28, 2018
Precaution is still better than cure
We Indians have a high tolerance and we do not pay attention to frauds when we are cheated for just a few paise or just a few rupees. We feel that it would not be a big deal to make an issue of such small money but we consumers forget that that 1 rupee fraud, later on, becomes a multi-million dollar business and a huge incentive besides their regular income. So it is a must to be careful before we take any services from any government or private operators.
Optical Illusion at the Petrol Pump
When you hire a car or drive your personal one, it is mandatory for you to visit a petrol pump sooner or later in a matter of few days. Our attendance is mandatory but little do we pay heed to the cheating that is carried out every day at the petrol pumps. At the blink of an eye, a driver is being cheated when he decides to trust the petrol pump staffs.
A slight of the hand, the pipe, and the dispenser nozzle
We are being duped of our money every minute of the day at the petrol pump and the amount if calculated can be in Billions, a figure that I can affect the GDP of some smaller countries. There are many everyday tricks that we are being duped with which is so smartly executed that the only time we realized being cheated is when our car runs shorter distance than it actually should have. This is the point when you cannot go back to the petrol pump and claim because you have no proof and they would never agree to your claims. So here are few ways as to how the big drama is staged every day:
1. Distraction:
While you go to refuel your car, the first thing you do is inform him that you want to refuel for some amount and the staff goes ahead to reset the meter to zero, so have a fair calculation of the petrol being given to you but sometimes it doesn't happen this way. Just as they are about to reset the meter you are being engaged in some conversation and then you do not realize but the meter starts again from the amount your previous driver had filled his car or bike for.
2.Deviation:
This is the most common trick used by the petrol pump staffs. No matter how much petrol you ask them to deliver, they shall sometimes fill some amount lesser than what you actually asked for. For instance, they might refuel for 200 when you wanted a refuel for rs. 800. After an apology, the staff acts like resetting the meter while some other engages you in some conversation and then your meter starts from Rs. 200 again and ends at 600. You might add it as 200 plus 600 and think the petrol was worth 800 but sometimes that doesn't happen that way.
3.Manipulation of the machines
The staffs at the petrol pump have many ways of manipulating you without you knowing it. They will ask you to open the lit of your vehicle and in no second the meter would be running from Rs. 100 and soon they are done refilling you but that may not be the exact amount you had asked for.
Using longer pipes at the station
Some petrol pumps may use a longer dispenser pipe than it should actually be. You may just feel relaxed when the staffs tell you that you need come close to the gas machine as the pipe is long enough to reach you. The long pipe saves an adequate amount of petrol which is a profit from the petrol pump at the end of the day.
Refuse and Resist being cheated
There are ways in which you can be careful enough to stop being cheated at the petrol pumps anymore. You must make sure you carry out these precautions from next time:
- Always get out of the car and see the readings whenever you are at the pump for a refuel. If you stay inside there are changes you might be manipulated and cheated.
- The main cause of distraction is conversations or questions that are carried out by them to keep you distracted from reading the meter, so make sure you avoid any conversation at the pump.
- Open your fuel tank only after you see the counter is reset for a new refuel.
- Do not be in a hurry at the pump, that might be a reason for additional loss at the station.
- Asking for a receipt may prove handy for any future assistance in times of frauds on refuel.
- Make sure you pay them only after you have seen and are convinced after the refuel, that way you can create a chaos in times of confusion and pay only the amount they have actually refilled you for.
- If you are not satisfied with the quantity or quality of the refuel, you can always insist on the complaint book to book your grievances.
- Ask the guy to stretch the pipe till your vehicle and hold the nozzle high, to ensure maximum refuel.
Conclusion
Petrol is becoming costlier each day and on top of that the fraud that is being pulled upon your face, the common person needs to know of the correct techniques to stop something that isn't right. When we pay for a service we deserved the exact amount of the service we are entitled to receive. There are higher authorities for complaints and grievances but the initial step has to be taken by you.
Even if the car is for hire and even if you will be paid the amount you have refueled your car with, it is your duty to ensure that the correct amount of petrol is being given to you as a carefree citizen is the root cause of a corrupt nation. Your little awareness is a huge contribution to eradicate the enormous evils of our country.
