Ather users who have recently purchased their scooters, which typically cost between 1.5 lakh to 1.7 lakh rupees on-road (including subsidies), and excluding the charger refund that is still pending for most owners, are growing increasingly dissatisfied with recent developments at Ather. While we acknowledge that as a startup, the company faces limitations and accountability to various stakeholders, it’s crucial to recognize that customers are among the most significant stakeholders.
In their quest to turn revenue into a positive stream and reflect healthy cash flow, the company has been employing strategies that are raising concerns among both new buyers and existing owners. Here are several points that have become serious issues for almost every Ather owner:
Issues with government entities regarding FAME subsidies and related refund problems with customers.
The removal of previously available Ather service packages, which were considered value for money. Even if purchased, dealers are reluctant to honor them.
The introduction of charging fees. While having a minimal fee for charging is understandable, the per-minute billing approach has not been well-received by many owners.
Introduction of connect subscription plans, even though many features still appear to be in beta testing, while competitors offer more features free of charge.
The pricing of accessories like mudguards and seat covers is considerably high, and the maintenance cost of the vehicle is steadily increasing. (For instance, I paid 750₹ for the LHS mirror and 250₹ for belt adjustment.)
Software updates often introduce bugs, resulting in a glitchy dashboard.
During the monsoon season, the scooter exhibits instability, with nearly zero traction, and the noise emanating from the disk or belt becomes unbearable.
The pricing of the new series of scooters is considerably high, especially given the lack of significant design changes.
False advertising and unfulfilled dealer promises have been a source of frustration for many customers, particularly those with gen 3 and above vehicles who expected coasting regen and cruise control but were told these features were restricted by hardware limitations.
Uncertainty surrounding motors is a growing concern, with numerous reports on forums of gen 1 and 2 owners facing bills of 40,000₹ or more for motor replacement or repairs.
These issues collectively reflect the growing discontent within the Ather community, and it is essential for the company to address these concerns to maintain customer trust and satisfaction.
),they have a beta channel still release buggy public updates.
Bike is coming in 2 weeks
