Disgruntled customers smashes own electric scooter in front of vendor’s showroom

A video capturing a disgruntled Ola Electric scooter owner smashing his own scooter with a hammer went viral, garnering over 930,000 views. The customer was protesting a 90,000 rupee servicing fee for a one-month-old scooter (around a $1,065).

The incident took place outside an Ola showroom and was recorded by passers-by, as reported by Navbharat Times. The man, dressed in a white T-shirt and blue jeans, is seen in the video repeatedly hitting his navy blue Ola Electric scooter with a hammer. NDTV.com notes that the video has gone viral, receiving over 930,000 views.

Many social media users reacted to the video, with some justifying the man's anger and demanding a full refund from Ola Electric. Newsx.com reports that the incident has ignited discussions among customers about after-sales service charges and the company's customer service practices. One user commented, "If you will not listen to your customers and fix their problems, you will not succeed in any business," according to newsx.com. Another user added, "No consumer should ever face this plight. Most buyers are middle-class or lower-middle-class and depend on their first vehicle for everything. This is sad," NDTV.com reports.

The customer reportedly became extremely angry after receiving an unexpectedly high bill for servicing his scooter, amounting to ₹90,000. Navbharat Times states that the man had purchased the scooter just a month ago. When asked questions in the clip, he explains his frustration, and some people are even advising him to set the scooter on fire, according to Navbharat Times.

The incident highlights a growing problem for Ola Electric: the disconnect between the company and its customers. Newsx.com reports that customer service, after-sales support, and transparent pricing are crucial areas that need immediate attention if Ola Electric hopes to restore its image. The company's failure to address customer concerns has fueled frustration among its users.

In the comments section of the viral video, there have been more than 400 reactions, as noted by Navbharat Times. Many users are advising the company to provide a full refund. One user wrote, "Instead of doing this, you should have filed an FIR against the company. You could have also fought your case in the consumer forum. You are only harming yourself," Navbharat Times reports. Another user said, "At least petrol vehicles don't have such problems."

This incident is not isolated. In September, a 26-year-old man in Karnataka was arrested for allegedly setting fire to an Ola Electric showroom after facing continuous issues with his scooter's servicing, according to NDTV.com. This adds to a series of complaints against Ola Electric regarding poor after-sales service and quality control issues.

OLA with Hatoda @kunalkamra88 pic.twitter.com/mLRbXXFL4G

— Anil MS Gautam (@realgautam13) November 23, 2024

Comedian Kunal Kamra has also openly criticized Ola Electric and its CEO Bhavish Aggarwal regarding poor after-sales service, as reported by India Today. Kamra posted a photo showing numerous scooters parked at an Ola service center, pointing out the apparent lack of customer support. Republic World reports that Bhavish Aggarwal responded sharply to Kamra's criticism, implying that Kamra's tweet was a paid promotion. Aggarwal asked Kamra to "sit quiet" and let the company focus on solving real customer issues, according to Republic World.

Industrialist Harsh Goenka joined the conversation with a light-hearted remark. Republic World reports that Goenka shared a picture of himself riding an Ola e-scooter, stating, "If I have to travel short distances, say from one 'kamra' to another, I use my Ola."

Meanwhile, Ola Electric has yet to issue a statement regarding the viral video of the customer destroying his scooter. NDTV.com notes that the lack of response from the company has left customers without clarity on its position and has fueled further frustration among users.

Over the last few months, several reports have emerged suggesting that Ola service centers face a significant backlog, and staff are struggling to manage the volume of complaints, according to NDTV.com. Ola Electric has faced backlash over issues like high servicing costs, poor after-sales support, and quality control, newsx.com reports. Newsx.com suggests that the viral incident could serve as a wake-up call for Ola Electric to invest more in customer service, improve product quality, and ensure transparent pricing. Only then can the company hope to rebuild its reputation and avoid further incidents like the one that unfolded on the streets of India.

Customers are already feeling the financial strain of purchasing electric vehicles. Newsx.com reports that if Ola Electric fails to address customer grievances, it risks losing the trust of its user base. Many social media users have criticized Ola Electric, expressing sympathy for the customer and condemning the company for its apparent negligence. Republic World notes that some are justifying the customer's anger and demanding a full refund.

The viral video and the increasing number of incidents highlight a growing problem for Ola Electric: the disconnect between the company and its customers. Newsx.com emphasizes that improving customer service, after-sales support, and ensuring transparent pricing are crucial for the company to restore its image. Only then can Ola Electric hope to rebuild its reputation and avoid further incidents like the one that unfolded.

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq