Indian Consulate NY experience

AverageIndian · Post by **AverageIndian** » Wed Aug 10, 2016 12:44 am

I went to the NY Indian Consulate to get copies of my Passport and NY Driving licence attested. This is required to get a digital signature in India (tax purposes). Here is the scenario:

1. Woman at the counter said that I need to get the copies notarized first, before they can attest it. Consulate website doesn't say that. So I went looking for a notary, and finally got them notarized at a bank.

2. Came back to the counter, and the fee is $23 (2x10 + 3 chartity fee). OK, and I gave $40 (didn't have a change). She gave me back $20, told me to get change outside, and upon giving her $3, she will give me my receipt.

3. I went outside looking for a change, got it and came back to give $3, and counter lady is not at the counter. (She already has my Passport and DL). When I tole a second counter lady that I owe them just $3, she starts arguing, what is the proof that I gave them the $20 previously.
Finally she consented.

For a simple transaction, we Indians have the knack of making it absolutely chaotic.

And did I mention about another customer yelling at the guy who operates a copy machine, and charges $1 per copy?

farfromhome · Post by **farfromhome** » Wed Aug 10, 2016 6:33 am

I guess not much has changed even after all these years :angry:. My experience below.

http://www.r2iclubforums.com/forums/showthread.php/19129-Experience-at-Indian-Consulate-New-York-(near-Central-Park)-for-PIO-card

R2MyOldWorld · Post by **R2MyOldWorld** » Wed Aug 10, 2016 9:55 am

I am not surprised at all. Though my recent experience at Cox and Kings in Washington DC (outsourcing vendor) for passport renewal has been non-frustrating (except for the government website which I believe is made confusing on purpose, well not really. I think they are simply incompetent). Had similar experience last year when tried to renew my passport in India. Outsources (TCS) were good but I hit a wall when I had to visit passport official (from government). I gave up and decided to renew in US. I hope things change soon. Gettinh simple things done can be extremely frustrating if it involves government.

Dicky_Bird · Post by **Dicky_Bird** » Wed Aug 10, 2016 9:05 pm

Why not tweet to Ms Sushma Swaraj for the pathetic conditions of customer service

okonomi · Post by **okonomi** » Thu Aug 11, 2016 9:04 am

Dicky_Bird;636503Why not tweet to Ms Sushma Swaraj for the pathetic conditions of customer service

If they do not improve their customer service, are we taking our business elsewhere ?
On the positive side, one may begin to appreciate the consistency of the service, instead of being shocked by some sudden, and unexpected change.

farfromhome;636477I guess not much has changed even after all these years