CHENNAI: Shiny Splendours, Pulsars and Scootys spill on to Bells Road in Triplicane. You only need to pay an initial sum to drive them away.

Photographers, marketing executives, sales personnel, courier boys are the usual customers in Triplicane, Kodambakkam and Vadapalani. No need to sign cheques. Nor does one have to shell out a sizeable sum as initial payment. "I sold my Yamaha and bought a black Pulsar [2003 model] for Rs. 33,000 three months ago," says K. Parthiban, with a private bank's verification team. The Yamaha took care of the initial cost of Rs. 18,000. "Now I am paying Rs. 1,060 every month to pay the rest," he says. T. Bhoopathy, proprietor of Sree Ragavendra Auto Consultants, says it is easy for those who do not have bank accounts or the money to buy a vehicle through registered `consultants.'

"We ask the buyer's address proof, verify it, arrange for finance and take Rs. 350 as commission," he says. In case of payment default, the financier steps in.

Manager S. Babu ensures both he and the mechanic get their commission from the seller.

"If a customer comes directly, we check the vehicle and papers. If it is in good condition, the financier keeps the RC book while the vehicle will be here," he says.

However, the business has slowed down according to Mr. Babu, especially after private banks launched the `pay Rs. 2,000 and drive away' scheme. The craze for new models that happen every six months has also eaten into their business.

"Dealers from Tiruvannamalai, Panruti, Chengalpattu and Vellore now go to shops in Kodambakkam and Vadapalani after the mofussil bus stand was shifted to Koyambedu," he says.

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