The sales executive later apologised to the farmer. “Never judge a book by its cover,” is one adage we have heard for ages now. However, seems like a customer executive in a car showroom in Karnataka forgot all about it. A farmer said he went to buy a vehicle at the showroom and was told by the executive he wouldn’t be able to afford it.
As the farmer’s reaction is going viral and many tagged Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra criticising the company, he responded.
In the video, the farmer says he was insulted at a Mahindra showroom in Tumkur after he went there to choose a pick-up truck. The farmer claims he was mocked over his appearance.
“He said I wouldn’t even have Rs 10, let alone Rs 10 lakh to buy the car,” the farmer is heard saying in Kannada in the video, which has irked netizens and triggered a serious debate about the company’s etiquette.
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PremiumPremiumHowever, it was the farmer’s comeback that won everyone online as he returned to the showroom with Rs 10 lakh in cash within an hour. Something that reminded them of Julia Roberts’ character in Pretty Woman.
The farmer, identified as Kempegowda by local media, had a heated argument with the salesman at the showroom and challenged them to deliver the SUV on the same day if he brought the money within an hour. However, when he returned with a large group of friends and the cash, the showroom failed to manage instant delivery. The employees were reportedly unable to deliver the vehicle owing to the long waitlist.
Local news channels also reported the showroom salesman and other employees apologised to Kempegowda following his movie-style move and also gave a handwritten apology letter to him.
On social media, people have been tagged Anand Mahindra to say that their apology is not enough and asked if any action will be taken against the sales executive or the staff at the showroom.
Mahindra, quoting a tweet of a senior official of Mahindra Group, reassured that the matter will be addressed urgently. “The Core Purpose of Mahindra Rise is to enable our communities & all stakeholders to Rise. And a key Core Value is to uphold the Dignity of the Individual. Any aberration from this philosophy will be addressed with great urgency,” he tweeted.
The Core Purpose of @MahindraRise is to enable our communities & all stakeholders to Rise.And a key Core Value is to uphold the Dignity of the Individual. Any aberration from this philosophy will be addressed with great urgency. https://t.co/m3jeCNlV3w
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) January 25, 2022
“We are investigating the incident & will take appropriate action, in the case of any transgression, including counselling & training of frontline staff,” the senior official had tweeted adding that the company strongly believes in respect and dignity of all customers.
@anandmahindra shocked to learn inhuman behaviour by Mahindra showroom -Tumukur place, Karnataka to a farmer. M&M today is all because of farmers continuous support to m&m tractors. Now M&M seems forgot this. Hope you make all your team lean this.Make it sheer M&M.
— siva reddy (@sivared52953621) January 25, 2022
@anandmahindra A farmer has been insulted in Mahindra showroom in Tumkur, Karnataka. He has been insulted by the sales men for his appearance, hope you will take action on the same.
— Bharath (@kasulakumar) January 25, 2022
Mahindra Dealer Insults Farmer Over Clothes, Here’s What Happens Next.
A video that has gone viral shows Karnataka farmer getting Rs 10 lakh cash to buy Mahindra car after being taunted by salesman@Anandmahindra ji. Do the dealer need a better Customer Experience Training, Sir ? pic.twitter.com/gj3VNQX2el— TUMMALA TUMMALA (@TUMMALATUMMALA) January 24, 2022
@anandmahindra from being a staunch supporter of your work and wit to owning a couple of your Mahindra Cars in my garage. I would like you to reflect on this Karnataka incident and do your best in resorting the issue with the farmer for you are the company’s face.
— Aryan Chechi (@Aryan_Chechi) January 24, 2022
@anandmahindra Sir, please give your feedback on the Karnataka farmer’s humiliation. What action is Mahindra going to take to make sure the same does not repeat in future.
— Aditya Singh (@noadityahere) January 24, 2022
Lot of respect to the farmer Mr. Kempe Gouda from Karnataka, who stood against an ill-trained sales executive and it’s management for his self-respect! He deserves an unconditional apology from Mahindra & Mahindra @anandmahindra https://t.co/DjlfSKypKD via @YouTube
— Karun Chennuri (@karunchennuri) January 24, 2022
@anandmahindra you heard from Karnataka Mahindra showroom news ? Are you teaching your showroom staff that the poor should not be tempted to buy a car?
— Sathishkumar Indian (@tharasachin) January 24, 2022
Dear @anandmahindra Sir,
This is how your exicutive judge People ? this incidnt happend at Tumakuru Karnataka, A farmer went to Mahindra Showroom where Mahindra executives disrespected this guy, What action would you take on your exicutives?@MahindraRise pic.twitter.com/6zlcHFFThf— Akshay G Bhat (@AkshayGBhat1) January 23, 2022
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