Recently i was planning to get my house painted…Before calling vendors for quotation, i jotted down my requirements very clearly so that there is no ambiguity in the quotes from different vendors (Apple to Apple comparison)…As usual my research started to find out the best…I shortlisted Asian Paints, Nerolac and Berger paints (Subsidiary of Asian paints only Pls refer trail April 03, 2012 update for clarification from Asian Paints on this point)…I decided to call representatives of these 3 companies for quotation….
I called customer care of all 3 & left my contact details….Asian paints was quickest to contact, same day I received call & executive fixed appointment for weekend visit…Next day I received call from Nerolac & I called them before Asian Paints…Berger never called, which means they don’t need business :)
The Nerolac representative visited my premises and took measurements of complete house..As I was very clear on my requirement therefore I appraised him of same before survey…He told me that quality of walls is good so i can go ahead with 1 application of putty (Where ever required) and 2 Coats of Premium Emulsion paint…Now it was turn of Asian Paints guy, he suggested me 1 application of putty, 2 Coats of primer and 2 Coats of Premium Emulsion paint… When I told him that quality of walls is good so he was bit confused & told me to go for 1 application of putty & 2 coats of paint….
Now it was time to review quotes…Asian Paints quoted me 1.07 Lac and Nerolac quoted me 55k (Both included 2 designer walls & 1 ceiling with Glow paint)…. Asian Paints quote was double than Nerolac…I called Asian Paint guy (he was distributor for my area) and he gave me all the reasons of high quote i.e. superior quality, Brand name etc etc..He also told me that if I can get my house painted directly from him, he will give me a discount of 15% and on negotiations he agreed for 18% discount….I was shocked to hear becoz if he is giving discount of 18% then what should be the margins of Company on actual quote of 1.07 Lac…Secondly distributors also don’t have glow paint so he told me to revert back on mail from Asian paints, mentioning I would like to go ahead only with Glow Paint or designer wall paint….Now this entire dealing was sounding bit fishy and I decided to dig deep…
As i finalized the paint colors (with ref no) so i visited nearby hardware shop and checked that i need between 12-15 liters of paint for entire house….Each 1 liter paint box was costing between 230 Rs to 280 Rs depending on the qty of colors used (over and above base color) so paint was costing me between 3000 Rs to 3750 Rs….
I also called 1 so called interior designer and asked for total labor and material cost if i provide the paint..He quoted approx 15k for same….
So finally, the cost of 2 Designer walls and 1 ceiling from Asian paints was approx 20k and Total house painting cost (Asian Paints Premium Emulsion) costed me under 40k against quoted price of 1.07 lac thus I saved approx 67k…
Now the big catch…One of my friend who was staying slightly far from my house got quote of approx 70k for flat of same dimensions + 2 Designer Walls + 1 Glow paint Ceiling with Asian Paints Royal i.e. 1 grade better paint than premium emulsion.. I called one of my acquaintances from paint industry to check this entire illogical cycle…He told me that paint companies quote different rates for different apartments depending on their classification, which is quite ridiculous…Indirectly the company who is putting more money in media to create customer pull, pulls more money from customer..So why customer pay for it.
My advice is to buy your own paint, hire some agency to paint professionally and if u have any requirement of designer wall or glow paint then hire services of paint company…You will save more than 50% of cost so why to pay Xtra to paint company when u can get same job done @ cheaper rates…Like me u can also utilize money saved to buy some gadget.
Update April 03, 2012: Today i received a phone call & an email from Asian paints..Details are as follows
(a) A call from Asian Paints representative Mr Manjunath (Mob No: 99000*****) & i explained to him the complete details…But i dont agree with the justification provided by him on topic.
(b) An email from Asian paints Custome Care wherein they clarified that “Berger India is not a subsidiary of Asian Paints. Asian Paints, in some countries owns the Berger Brand, but certainly not in India.Berger India is a separate business entity in India.” but just to clarify from my end… if u check out Asian Paints Indian website http://www.
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