Simple Energy contacting customers to cancel their pre-bookings

Simple Energy is reaching out to customers to cancel their pre-bookings for the Simple One electric scooter.



Through an email exchange with a customer, the Bangalore-based start-up has clarified that its team has been reaching out to all customers via telephone to create awareness among them about “the recent fraudulent happening forging Simpleenergy Private Limited”.

The email also mentions that a refund would be initiated for all customers who have pre-booked the e-scooter. However, the EV maker does promise priority delivery to those who have pre-booked, once an experience centre is set up in their city.

Since these reports came out, Simple Energy has released an official statement:

“It has come to our attention that certain customers have received emails urging them to cancel their pre-bookings with Simple Energy. We understand the concern and wish to clarify the situation to alleviate any doubts or uncertainties. These emails were specifically sent to select customers residing in cities where fraudulent activities were detected, posing a potential risk to our company's reputation. This proactive measure was taken to safeguard our customers and offer them the option of a refund, should they wish to reconsider their pre-bookings.”

Simple Energy announced that deliveries of the One e-scooter could begin in June 2023. However, the company has delivered merely 40 units until August. Since then, not a single scooter has been delivered.

Simple Energy in its response said, “Regarding zero deliveries, it's important to note that this was attributed to a comprehensive pilot program aimed at evaluating real-world scenarios and potential user-related challenges. Such assessments are a standard practice to ensure the utmost quality and customer satisfaction. We are pleased to inform you that following the successful conclusion of our assessment phase, Simple Energy is now positioned favourably. As a result, we are diligently planning to scale up our operations. Anticipate a significant surge in scooter deliveries by the end of November or early December, signifying our commitment to meeting your expectations.”

Source: Autocar India

Link to Team-BHP News

Every time Simple releases a statement they use a lot of these favourite jargons like "Real world testing", "Feedback". Its high time they actually start putting out the real status of whats happening. Vis-a-Vis Ola, both got announced at the around the same time and Ola has moved on to the next stage that is various iterations of the same base model where as Simple, "Simple"ly put are yet to take off.
Even giving Simple the benefit of doubt that Ola has money power, it still just does not justify the delay.

I consider myself lucky that I have seen one Simple Energy scooter on the road (mistook it for an Ather for a moment), a customer registered one and being ridden away. And I have seen at least 10 Ather test bikes on the road on different occasions during the same time period. Seems it is not that Simple but I know there is a working specimen somewhere on the road

Sorry to ask, but I am confused

Does Simple Energy really have some good reputation in the market that they fear their reputation will be damaged.

Its been 2 years that customers have trusted an unknown company and have done pre-booking of the scooter without even seeing it physically, they are just giving some or the other reason for not delivering the scooter.

This behaviour can be considered as humiliating their customers for trusting thir brand.

Same here . I was on my way to office in Peenya, saw it and I too mistook it for an Ather but realised the headlamp was different. I took a U-turn and caught up to it and to my surprise it was the Simple one in White. Wanted to have a quick chat with the rider about it but an elderly lady was riding it (Didn't want to spook her as I was wearing full riding gear)

They make it sound like 'evaluating real-world scenarios and potential user-related challenges' is some new-fangled idea nobody's heard of.

Newsflash, it's called User Testing and it's done before taking customers' money, often done as a, you know, beta phase before a full public launch.

'We have no money for an actual production run, and our not-so-friendly-after-you-take-their-money VC said we can't have any of theirs until we show enough pre-bookings to even justify investment in a production line' sounds nearer to reality.

This is mostly since the earlier batch of pre-booked customers were offered with an attractive pricing and with the present cuts in subsidy and real- world pricing, they can no longer sell (God knows when) without losing money.

I wonder how these scooters ( https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...ml#post5561950 (Simple One electric scooter re-launched; priced at Rs 1.45 lakh)) delivered in June 2023 are working. Are they offering any preventive maintenance service for these ??

This has to be the most bogus company I have come across in recent times. The way they are taking prospective customers for a ride is really funny for me. They have become a laughing stock in my eyes.

They had claimed that they had received 1 Lakh Bookings but they have only delivered 37 Scooters. God knows what's happening at their Hosur Factory

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