Airtel — Replacement of SIM takes more than what is said

Address:

Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Day before yesterday, while I was travelling back from Hyderabad to Chennai, I lost my mobile and the person who found it shutdown the device as soon as he got it and hopefully is making use of the instrument. I lodged a complaint with Chennai Police department online along with IMEI numbers and last night I have gone around to find Airtel Relationship Centers and I had bad experiences from the beginning itself.

The first Center was not opened at all and I came to understand that the center is observed regularly closed for couple of days from now. I was bit happy to see one of the centers in Porur open, but in continuation of my bad experience, they did not have SIMs in stock so that I can readily apply for the duplicate one. Not having SIMs is a PATHETIC situation and the center head should be ashamed of not keeping track of the stock on hand.

I was very happy to see the third center in Gandhi Nagar open and the SIMs were also available. I submitted all the required documents and filled up the application form requesting a duplicate SIM. The center’s staff were very cooperative, handed me the SIM and conveyed that the SIM will be activated in 4 hours. The process got completed by 8:00 PM yesterday and till now I do not have the SIM activated. I visited the ARC three times and
they simply say that there is some problem with Airtel servers and hence the duplicate SIM cards are not getting activated. The executives in ARC conveys that they have done their part and it is only that Airtel has to take care of rest activity to see that the SIMs are activated.

I had a bad feeling that ARC’s shutters were pulled down when there were more people coming to the center to inquire as when their issues would be addressed. I see ARC as one money collection center, rather than a service center by Airtel. People do not come to have fun at your ARCs. People who are coming to ARCs are really concerned and if ARC executives shunning them off – they will look for other alternatives.

I am not sure as how long it would take Airtel (or) its ARCs to take care of things and activate the lost SIMs. I am expecting very important calls from US and I am now confused if I should continue to look at Airtel SIM’s activation.

I am Challa Venkata Satyanarayana and I am taking help of my fried to draft this text and share my concerns with other members. As of now, I do not have any alternate Mobile number.