Category Life

How I Bought a Ferrari Ft. Shell India


It all started with a notification on the Shell Asia app. A limited edition 1:41 scale model Scuda Ferrari for sale at select Shell outlets across India. An offer for members who have at least filled 100L fuel from Shell outlets.

While I am not a fan nor have I watched an F1, I loved the details on this diecast. It was fabulous. Someone in a diecast forum had posted a picture. Checked the Shell India website for the list of branches where the stock was available. Very few branches indicated stock availability. And, forums indicated that the model was a must-buy official Ferrari collectible. I mean, who wouldn’t want to own a piece of anything Ferrari!

The collectible is manufactured by Bburago, a company formerly based out of Italy. As a beginner Hot Wheels collector, I wanted to add this piece to my collection.

I missed a good part of the week trying to get this collectible. Finally, we set out on a search for the scale model mid-morning on a Saturday. I landed up at the first of the available outlets – Shell, Maduravoyal. The staff peeped at my phone displaying the offer. “Out of stock, sir.” I did not lose my hopes.

1;41 Scuda Ferrari Collectible

Drove down to the next outlet at Shell, Koyembedu. The outlet also had a large-sized banner for the offer. The staff was finishing a preparation for tea, at the Shell Deli. She asked me to wait for the manager as I showed her the offer. The manager, probably tired of replying to people who come for the same, replied in the negative and dashed my hopes.

I sat in the parking. I called up my friend who was in Avadi, and asked him to check in at the Shell Avadi outlet. In a few hours, he gave an update that it was out of stock.  However, i got a tip that the stock was available in Shell Chembarambakkam. An outlet, 25 kms away from the city, on a highway.

The time was around 7 pm. It took 40 mins to reach the outlet. I saw the collectible placed proudly on the billing counter.  I once again showed the phone to their staff. She turned to her manager – “Antha car ku aaga vandhurkanga” (He has come for the car). 

Anna, edhuku idhu vanguringa?” (Why do you buy this?), she curiously asked. “F1 fans vanguvanga idhelam” (F1 fans get these), I replied. 

Anna, edhuku idhu vanguringa?” (Why do you buy this?)

The anticipation peaked when the outlet manager, went inside the cabin, and brought me a Ferrari collectible. Encased in a acrylic case, and partly wrapped in red, it is a piece of art. The weight of the collectible felt good to hold.

I kept the mini Ferrari in the backseat. Took one final look, and drove home. 

Here is How a Search for a Camera Got Me Scammed

It was just another evening when I was browsing through Olx, looking for vintage cameras. That’s when a specific camera from Fujifilm caught my eye. A camera is also known as a poor man’s Leica.

And here is how the conversation started on a popular online marketplace, which quickly shifted to WhatsApp. Below are the screenshots. The WhatsApp business had a catalog of cameras, drones and graphic cards – all used.

As seen in the screenshots, an automated business message got triggered after my message, which included a website, a Facebook profile of BR Parmar, two addresses, a GST number, and CIN. (More on this later in the article. This led me to believe this was a trusted and registered seller.

After a call with Parmar, he requested 50% of the amount as advance and the rest post delivery. I transfer 50% of the amount. Within 15 minutes, he sent me an invoice with a third address no contact number and a random email ID. Note: The conversation happened in a mix of broken Hindi and English.

By evening, around 7 PM, I got a poorly lit video and a picture with my address on a box, which I later learned was just a wrapped box or written with an erasable marker.

On Aug 31, around 10 AM he sent me a message mentioning the remaining amount and a courier consignee slip that had marked the shipping amount and the total weight of the package as 5 KG. The courier slip was marked as paid with a seal. And, most importantly, it did not have a tracking code. This raised my suspicion as the boxed weight of the camera itself is no more than a Kilogram.

I got a call from Parmar, asking me to pay the remaining amount so he can send the courier. He convinced me that he was just a broker and the amount needed to ship the package. I called him and asked for the tracking code. There was no response. This was the moment (insert meme) I knew I effed up. He was so polite and convincing I still ended up paying the remaining amount. Then, the real drama started. Parmar just went missing for almost two days despite repeated calls from WhatsApp and regular calls.

On Aug 1, Parmar returned with a request saying there was a mistake in the invoice and sent a revised invoice with an added 18% international GST. The interesting part is that he mentioned there is no EMI or GST as this is a second-hand product. He becomes active again. He asks to send the remaining amount repeatedly on call and text. Sometimes rude. Sometimes polite and also apologises for the delay in sending in tracking code.

At this stage, the argument gets heated, and Parmar regularly cuts the call. I get frustrated. I constantly request a refund, and he assures me I will get the package in 4-5 days. Yet, he sent a message asking if I had paid the GST.

After a couple of Google searches, I found Computer World and Fancy Photographic Service, and contacting based on the mentioned addresses, they clearly said that they do not deal with brokers, nor does Computer World deal with cameras.

Despite being aware and conscious of online scams, I was too late to realise I had been scammed. I kept thinking whether the scammer was too organised and smart or whether I was impulsive and careless in my decision.

The article is aimed at spreading awareness and also a call for help from anyone who can track or help me get back the money.

You Are Not Immature

If you are cheesy

if you marry young

if you are a passionate lover

if you jump into a dance in a crowd

if you stay with your parents as an adult

if you spend your time playing with kids

if you are fascinated by the strangest things

if you spend money on what you love doing

You are an original, a rarity among people who suppress their true selves for the sake of others.

Empath

Some people are capable of smoothly handling anything that comes in their way. they are like a shock absorbers of human emotions and situations. they may stay silent, cry or even hold their pent up anger for days, weeks or even months. they can be confused souls. they love peace. they might have their own devils to fight. But at the end of the day, they absorb the negative energy of a person in the hope that they can bring in some positivity. They are empaths.

The Last One

Do you remember your first love?

the first time you held hands with a loved one?

the first date. the first kiss? we hate or love the person who broke our heart. the time when we felt guilty for breaking someone’s heart.

you carry the weight of the person who shattered you, and yet they shape your love life.

being first and the firsts have always been important. the firsts don’t matter anymore, the last one does. the lasting one.

Stay

“Stay,” she said,
his warmth,
like fire,
engulfing her soft body.

“I love you,” she said,
her eyes peering,
at his jawline,
as she laid down,
on his shoulders.

“I love you more,” he said,
his smug smile,
assuring her,
of his return soon,
from a place of war.

“I miss you,” she said,
tears welling up
her body cold,
as she circled
her finger across his photo.

A tiny arm,
clung around her finger
in assurance,
“I love you, she said,
as she caressed,
their bundle of joy.