[Resolved]  Airtel — amount not refunded after cancellation of service

Address:

Bangalore, Karnataka

I was given an Airtel connection along with a SONY TV which I purchased last month. When I called up Airtel for the connection, I was asked to pay an initial recharge of Rs.1000, which I did.

When the people didn't install the connection despite a 2-week follow up, I asked to disconnect my service. The following are the sequence of events:

1. June 3: I place a call with Airtel asking for the disconnection. They give me a service request number 8662206 and say the complaint will be resolved.
2. June 4: I get a phone call from Airtel saying they will send a DD to my house. When I ask why not an online reversal, they say they can't do that and hang up. I get another SMS saying my complaint has been resolved. They also ask me to call a mobile number [protected], which is either busy or never answered.
3. June 8: No trace of the payment. I call up Airtel again and ask them to re-open the complaint. They refuse saying it is not possible (to show that they have resolved the complaint when nothing has really happened on the ground). They log another complaint 8837708.
4. June 9: I get another phone call asking me to call [protected], and a statement 'your complaint has forwarded to the concerned department'. When I reply that no one picks up the phone, they say that only they can resolve the complaint and the money will be refunded in 7-10 working days. Again, I get an SMS saying my complaint has been resolved.
When I try to call up their call centre, I am informed that the balance is zero! Then I am made to press many keys on the phone, and finally asked to SMS CALL to an 5-digit number!

A few questions:
1. Why are customers being made to waste time and effort calling up mobile numbers of technicians? If they pay Airtel, it is Airtel who should pay back the money, not the technicians!!
2. What is the point of wasting money on phone calls and SMSes to Airtel when you know they won't call back (or is that the idea? Frustate customers into giving up on their hard-earned money?)
3. If a customer pays by online mode (which is instant payment), why is Airtel paying back through DD? To earn interest until the customer encashes the cheque after a MONTH??

All in all, I have sworn NEVER to buy ANY product from this unprofessional organization. DO NOT take an Airtel DTH connection if you can help it.

Rangin Chakraborty.