Airtel Complaints & Reviews

Hi,

My name is Saurav Dev Burman and I live in Gandhinagar Gujarat, and need help/guidance as to how I can take action against my current service provider Airtel for not letting me move to other service provider by always giving me one or the other ridiculous reasons for the rejection of porting out my number.

Since, January 2010 every month I used to call up customer care to complain for their terrible network service; however, till date there is no solution to it and every time when I call them up their CCE says, they had taken my feedback and will forward it and I will get a call after resolution and I am waiting for it since last 14 months.

After MNP was launched, on 24 or 25th Jan. 2011 I opted to port out from Airtel to TATA Docomo and all the verification process was successfully completed by TATA; however, Airtel rejected my porting request mentioning the reason as "Contractual Obligations". When, I called Customer Care they asked me, "Was there any fraud case or any legal action/case filed against you?" I was just shocked to hear this, I told that guy to think before he speaks to me. I told him that; if I am that kind of person then how come Airtel gives me credit limit of 12,500K per month? In more than two and half years, I have always paid my bill well in advance and that too more than the actual bill... I have even paid 10K to 11K in just a month and this is (tag of fraud) what I am get in return for being a good customer.

Later fighting with them for 3-4 days for hours and waisting my money for calling customer care (121) they asked me to apply for port out once again. Again I had to go through the process and this time as well all the verification process was completed successfully by TATA Docomo; however, after 4-5 days (last Friday) I received a msg from Airtel saying, my porting request has been rejected coz o[censored]npaid bill. I called up customer care and told them, that my bill was of Rs. 232/- and I have paid Rs. 400/- and other bill was Rs. 64/- and one hour back I paid Rs. 100/-. Although I want to move out of Airtel, still I am paying more than my actual bill and you are saying I have unpaid bill although everything is clear before due date?

I had to argue with them for 45 odd mins and later they asked me to go to Airtel relationship centre (at Palanpur) where I had paid the bill and the relationship centre guy told me that as Airtel server was down, so could not update your payment request, will be done in 24 hours and he again requested me to apply for port out.

For the third time, I applied for porting of my number but again it was rejected this time saying that my number is vanity number and I have to pay some charges to Airtel before I move to other service provider. I told them, that I have got this as a pre-paid number from one of the shop that too without paying anything as the shopkeeper asked me to recharge it with Rs. 100/- for some kind of scheme 4 years back... at this Customer care said that as your number is now post paid... it has become vanity number and you have to pay the charges to port out or else you cannot move out of Airtel.

They guided me to Airtel Relationship Centre at Gandhinagar and after waisting my time there for one and half hours... all the employees there said that your accounts seems to be okay and there is nothing pending from your end and we too are not aware as to what is the process for porting out Vanity number and why Airtel is rejecting your request to port out? They even called up their managers and back office team... however, no one was aware about this and no one could help me out.....

When, I called up customer care (198 for complain) and asked them why they are charging me for providing vanity number after 4 years... they said you have got discount when you got this number and we want that discount back .... however; I told them that, I have never got any kind of discount from Airtel when I got the card...

Also, if this is Vanity number then you must have charged it to the shopkeeper and now you are charging me again? And, if you had given this number for free to the shopkeeper, then you need to ask him for the payment... why you are asking me...?? As, I have not purchased this card directly from you nor you had sold me this card?

Hope for your help, support and guidance.

Thank you,
Saurav

I write to express my Highest Level of Dissatisfaction in the way my complaint has been treated with.

Today (25.02.2011 is the 11th day, the issue is not resolved and no signal)

1. I have a HD connection with Cust ID [protected]
2. I received a call sales call for Digital Recorder *** LESSON: BEWARE OF AIRTEL SALES CALLERS
3. I thought about it and decided to go for it.
4. I booked for a digital recorder on 12.02.2011 . The sales person was fast enough to connect me to the IVR for payment collection, and later I found the speed missing in the followup action.
5. I was promised delivery and installation in 24 to 48 Hours, where as they took more than 100 Hours and that too after writing to them.
6. They had deputed a person to install the recorder and who did not care to complete the job and was more inclined to move away . Even the HDMI cable was not delivered.
He took my operational HD connection settop box along with him.
7. He assured that in 2 hours we will receive all channels ( it was at 12 noon on 19th feb).
8. Since I was not receiving the channels, I made number of calls to the call center and to my dismay nothing worked.
9. One call center executive said that by 13:57 hrs on 20th Feb engineer will visit and solve the problem but he did not turn up. I continued calling customer care for support to resolve this issue.
10. Customer care executive Priti Mishra spoke to me on 24th Feb and said that the issue will be resolved. BUT NOTHING HAPPENED
11. I continued with my follow up and after promise after promise, nothing happened.
12. finally today ie 25th feb 2011, I have sent a complaint and marked a copy to TRAI.
13. If any one else is fighting a case similar to mine, please let me know the legal remedies available.
Paulraj
[protected]@gmail.com

I am extremely dissappointed with airtel's customer service. None of my complaints (more than 10) about following problems through regular channels have been resolved.

My phone #[protected]

Problem #1:
Despite paying heavily for the broadband, connection, it keeps getting disconnected very often.

Problem #2:
Centrex not activated for me until now even after two billing cycles since I got the connection

Problem #3:
My name and address have been spelled incorrectly.


It just seems that there is absolutely no use to expect better service from airtel even though this is a private player. It seems they do not care if few customers are lost due to poor service. They also do not care about the pain they cause their customers.

I have registered a complaint earlier that I have been recieving BIKINI RICH ALERTS FROM AIRTEL messages in my phone number [protected] and I am being charged Rs.3 whenever I recieve the message.I recieve this message from AD-54321 .
I got a call from an airtel cutomer care official from delhi.HE informed me that no service have been activated on my number.
BUT the very next day I RECIEVED THE SAME MESSAGE.An importent fact is that i recieve this message wheneveri have enough cash to be deducted from my account.If i have cash in my account, i recieve it everyday and I get charged Rs.3.
Now in total,including today; I have ben charged a total sum of RS.25.
I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS PROBLEM RECIEVED AS FAST AS YOU CAN>AND PLEASE RESTORE THE MONEY I LOST FROM MY PHONE.
After the last call I recieved from the customer care officer from Delhi; Whenever I try to contact customer care service via 121, the call gets diconnected after the computer says "your call is transferred to the customer care officer".
I hve been using an IDEA sim card for years and they have never gave me such trouble.

I, presently having MTNL Dolphin post-paid mobile connection no. [protected], had initially applied for porting out of my said mobile no. to Airtel (pre. paid). I submitted the relevant forms duly filled in with MNP code and required documentary proofs and last paid bill details of MTNL Dolphin to recently opened Airtel authorised outlet at Dharam Colony, near Spanish Court, Palam Vihar, Gurgaon on 22.01.2011. In spite of repeated visits to the said outlet and suffering very rude behaviour of the man at the outlet, my application was not processed. Another subsequent visit and the man returned my application papers, after three full weeks, saying it has been rejected as switching from postpaid (MTNL) to prepaid (Airtel) is not allowed. I emailed a complaint to both TRAI and Sh. Vikrant Dubey, Grievances Officer and Sh. Irfan Khan, Appellate Officer for Delhi Region of Airtel under TRAI on 05.02.2011 but to no response. I again generated a fresh MNP code, prepared fresh application and subimmited the same to another Airtel outlet opp. Sec.14 Mkt., Gurgaon on 09.02.2011. The man at the outlet (Mr. Arvind, another rude fellow) gave me a Airtel sim card against payment of prescribed fee of Rs. 19. I received two SMSes on 12.02.2011 acknowledging receipt and processing of my application. However, I received another SMS on 17.02.2011 that the MTNL has rejected porting out of my no. [protected] due to outstanding dues that had accrued during this period. I immediately deposited my dues in cash and gave the receipt to the Airtel (Sec. 14, Gurgaon) outlet. The man there did not take the receipt and told me to not use the MTNL sim for outgoing calls. Another round of telephonic and personal visits and Mr, Arvind curtly told me to submit another set of application papers, 3rd since beginning, for Post-paid connection only since switching from post-paid to pre. paid is not allowed and the application papers submitted earlier can not be retrieved. This happened despite the fact that the whole Airtel media and internet publicity clearly says the switching is allowed.

The whole excercise of repeatedly submitting new MNP code (valid for 15 days), fresh previous dues clearance and the whole application papers again and again with new conditions each time and still my number remaining unported has left me completely harassed and cheated. The Airtel MNP helpline at [protected] is completely useless as it is a typical system to stonewall the queries of consumers rather than helping them with responsive action towards their specific problems. I am happy that the "MTN users of South Africa have been saved from potential harassment and shudder to think of the fate of Indian consumers when Bhart-Walmart takes over.

If the Airtel feels that I have been unnecessarily put into trouble, My number [protected] may be ported in under prepaid plan immediately under due intimation to me

I AM AIRTEL POST PAID CUSTOMER WANTING TO CHANGE TO RELIANCE.
I GOT MY UPC CODE ON SUNDAY 20TH FEB 2011 AND ON 21ST I WENT TO RELIANCE AND SUBMITTED ALL DOCUMENTS. I HAVE ALSO PAID ALL MY AIRTEL BILLS .
ON 22ND FEB I GOT SMS FROM RELIANCE THAT MY MNP IS IN PROCESS AND THT THEY HAVE CONTACTED AIRTEL FOR CONFIRMATION.

BUT SINCE THEN I AM GETTING CALLS FROM AIRTEL EVERY DAY AND ASKING FOR THE REASON OF THIS CHANGE. FIRST THEY WERE VERY CORDIAL AND TRIED TO 'PAMPER' ME BY LOT OF OFFERS ETC. BUT SOON THEY REALISED THT I WAS ADAMANT ON CHANGING TO RELIANCE.

TODAY,25TH FEBRUARY I GOT CALL FROM AIRTEL ([protected])AND THT LADY WAS VERY ARROGANT AND SHE KEPT INSISTING THT I MUST NOT CHANGE AND THAT I MUST TELL HER REASONS FOR CHANGE OR ELSE SHE LL CANCEL MY REQUEST. IT SOUNDED MORE LIKE A THREAT!!!!!!!
SHE ALSO TOLD ME THT IT LL TAKE MORE THAN A MONTH FOR TRANSFER AND WHEN I INQUIRED THT TRANSFER SHOULD HAPPEN IN A WEEK TO 10 DAYS, SHE WAS EXTREMELY ARROGANT IN SAYING THT IT IS UP TO THEM WHETHER TO CANCEL THE REQUEST... I WAS SHOCKED.. AND WITHIN 5 MIN OF THT HAPPENING I M TYPING ALL OF IT HERE...

I WANT EVERYONE TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY!!!
MY UPC-AM836611

Few Days ago daily i'm getting sms that i registered for NEWS subscription and charged Rs.10/- Daily they are sending sms and charging Rs.10/- me for this.
I didn't activate any news subscription... so why are you activate this ???
Please Help me... i am very disturb from this.!!
How to deactivate this ???
My phone No is: [protected]

A sum of Rs. 333 was recharged for the Airtel No.[protected] on 21.02.2011, 12:45 p.m. through ICICI online banking.

The transaction reference is as under:
BIL/[protected]/0117/[protected]/91973 DR

Despite successful debit at the site, I received a message stating "Your recharge request could not be processed. Please try after sometime."
On calling up Customer Care, i got an assurance that the amount will be added to my balance. I received a request reference no: CANRC[protected]
However, the balance has not been added.

Kindly do the needful to update the recharge amount against the No.[protected]

Regards,
Gokul Panigrahi

Dear Sir / Ma'am,

For the past two days I am facing the Problem of my call being overheared by the AIRTEL CUSTOMER SUPPORT People. Yesterday while speaking on the phone I got a missed call and the other person who was talking with me got missed call from the same number. After our call was over, I got the call from the same number and the person who spoke said the entire content of waht me and my friend were discussing. Please let me know how to take action on this. This has created a situation such as we cannot use phone to discuss personal matters. Please do reply to my email ID antony.[protected]@tcs.com.

I've applied for a number portability of my number [protected] from airtel to vodafone. I submitted all the documents to vodafone including the fully paid last bill generated by airtel.

However, airtel rejected the porting request stating that mine is a corporate connection and can not be ported out. As such, there is no such regulation within TRAI that asks me for such eligibility criteria.

I am registering an official complaint tomorrow with TRAI and then will be sending a legal notice to Airtel, in case no response received, I'll be moving the consumer court, Noida, located at G.Noida.

This is totally unacceptable on part of airtel and serious flouting of norms of TRAI.

Hi Sinil

I tried to talk to you over phone several times for the past 7-8 days and you were not picking the call even after several repeated attempts. I would have tried you almost 50 times and you are not even bothered to call back. I dont know the reason why you are not picking the calls of mine or not bothered to call back.

Pls let me know whome shoul I contact for the scheme/ tarif[censored]pdates as well as the activation of Blackberry services and to shift to Airtel for my team members.

Help your custome to have better clarity on Tariff plans .

Regards

George Jacob
Business Manager
Voltas Ltd, Kerala.
Hand Phone +[protected]
Desk Phone +[protected]

I ahve registered for DND on 4th Feb 2011. Airtel has not activated my DND but their system is showing that my DND has been activated. On 23rd and 24 th Feb thay have cut Rs 15 each day for my account for activation of missed call alert. ON 23rd I unsuscribed myself from their sevices but again 0n 24th Morning they ctivated it. They are sending URLS in their SMS. If one clicks to read them it is activated automatically. I have calle dtheir customer care many times but none are able to help

Respected sir,
This is a serious offence, sir i receive calls and sms from no.[protected] this person is sending me vulgar messages and threatening me on calls and a lot of things that i can't write here. So i request u to look into this matter personally i am totally fed up by this thing .

sir, my name is shankar , my number is [protected], my tariff plan was suddenely changed without informing me on 24/02/2011. when i was going to complaint them they were rejecting the call. i had free messeges of 150 in my above stated number. when i was going to send messege my 5rs has been deducted as they charged 1rs per 1 messege thats not fair. so treat this as important complaint .please recover my gone 5rs thanking you yours sincerely shankar.jjq

Dear sir,

i am khaja mohiddin my number is [protected] airtel prepaid number

today (23-feb-2011) @12 pm with out my intimation airtel people activate the friends chat monthly 3o rs, they debit from my balance

by 1 pm i tried to call my customer then i heard u dont a suffciant amount

then i check my balance is -4 rs, it was very inconvience to me ,

i want to speak urgently to my customer but i dont have money

today two times i got recorded calls they are very distturbing me

pls do need full

Thanks & regards
Md.khaja Mohiddin
[protected]

Hi,

I am a corporate Airtel service user at Wipro Limited - cell no [protected]

Totally frustrated with Airtel - The most hopeless service in the entire whole world. Worse - they lie through thier nose......total bluffmasters.

Issue - around a month back i received an sms saying thanks for subscribing to Airtel toolbox we are deducting Rs 5 for this.

i call up the service center the same day - the laday who picked up checked on the system and says no service is active and not to worry you will not be charged. I ask them to disconnect - they say no service is active as per system so there is nothing to disconnect.


next 3 days agian i get Rs 5 deducted per day with same sms.

in Frustration i write to their consumer cell email id - (ive written twice and i get an autogenerated e-mail with gives me a complain no and says will be resolved in 24 hours - no one bothters to call or do any thing) - email with complain no pasted belwo..


one month goes by - still no response. Today i get a bill and am billed Rs 86 for these services.

SO NOT ONLY DO THEY CHARGE YOU FOR SERVICES YOU HAVE NOT SUBSCRIBED TO - THEY REFUSE TO RESPOND TO YOUR COMPLAINTS AND LIE THROUGH THIER NOSE THAT SERVICE IS NOT ACTIVE.

TO HELL WITH AIRTEL - YOU HAVE LOST A POST PAID CUSTOMER WHO HAS BEEN WITH YOU FOR LATST 10 YRS.

NUMBER PORTABILITY KI JAI

copy of mails sent to airtel consumer complaints and their response below:


Dear Praveen Ramaswamy,

Ref: E-mail Dated 11/02/2011, expressing concern over activation of subscription services on your airtel number [protected] with out your consent.

Thank you for your mail to Bharti airtel and the opportunity to assist you.

We understand that this situation must have caused you inconvenience and will work towards resolving the same.

We would like to inform you that your concern has already been forwarded to the respective department on priority basis and registered with the service request number 35729400. Our concern department would contact you within 29/03/2011, 04.22 PM. Hence, we request you to kindly wait till such time.

Alternatively, you can also know the status of the Service Request number by dialing *121# (toll free).

We hope that we have been able to assist you suitably.

Please do write in for any further assistance.

Yours Sincerely,

Swarna Venugopal
Customer Care
Bharti airtel Limited

I got a airtel prepaid connection just a week back after hearing reports about airtel 3G launch in bengaluru.
Everytime i send msg 3G to 121 i recieve back a msg that we are unable to process your request at this time try later.
Later means i have sent more than 100 msg saying 3G to 121 but the response is same.
My number is [protected]
Also i am not able to receive any messages from reliance and tata numbers be it local or std.though from airtel vodafone i am able to recieve.

Look forward to do the needful

Dear Sir/Madam,

I applied for changing my Postpaid(CUG) to Airtel(+91-[protected], Tamilnadu) on end of last December-2010. But number has been deleted with no reason after some days. I was submit my documents properly but don't know why and how they deleted my number.

I gave my address proof Airtel Relationship Centre, 1168-Bharti Centre, Near
Lakshmi Mills Signal, Avinashi Road, Papanaickenpalayam, Coimbatore - 641037

Could you please help me for my issue to get back my number.

My Alternate Number is,
+91-[protected].

Regards,
Karthikeyan Subbiyan.

I have aitel connection. Continue 10 days I talk to customer care executive for my problem. My problem was "You have been renewed for ringtone ka maharaja subscription service from airtel. You have been charged Rs.3.00".


This massage comes everyday. Now what I m doing. I thing Airtel service is very bad for any other GSM services. Now I will change my airtel gsm card.

Please take the neccessory steps for this particular problem.

I AM AIRTEL SUBSCRIBER FOR LAST 6 YEARS. BUT FROM LAST I YEAR THERE IS FREQUENTLY DEDUCTION AMOUNT FROM MY BALANCE. WHEN I CALL TO CUSTOMER CARE THEY SAYS THAT SOME SERVICES IS ACTIVATED AND THIS IS DONE BY YOU. BUT I HAVE NOT DID THAT. THEY ACTIVE SERVICE AND DEDUCT AMOUNT ITSELF. NOW I AM GET TIRED TO CALL CUSTOMER CARE. SO I THINK TO DISCONNECT THIS NO. YOU ARE REQUESTED TO TAKE SERIOUS ACTION.

REGARDS,
SUSHIL JAIN
[protected]

ALTERNATE NO-[protected]