I bough a new Airtel Digital TV connection on 31st Dec 2008. It was installed same day and at the time of taking the package for 2500/-, i was told that the Ultra pack is free for first 3 months. I was given a 500 Rs. Voucher which i used to activate & get the customer ID. I wa also handed over Rs. 2000/- voucher and told to activate within 3 days, which i promptly did second day only. Despite the charging and receipt of confirmation on SMS, the customer ID, balance, validity etc. did not reflect in my account.
on 17th Jan 2009, the TV stopped working. It said the card is not authorised. Then began my first experience as a customer with the Customer care deptt. of Airtel.
First call: I was told that the Rs. 500/- voucher was not recharged properly, so recharge the same again and it will start. Result: Nothing happenned after recharging.
Second Call: I was told that the recharge of 500 & 2000 is showing OK in their systems. There is some technical problem. They will refresh the system so keep the Set Top Box ON. It will start working within half hour. Result: Nothing happenned till 2 hours.
Third Call: Same reply. Technical Problem. Refreshing again. Will work within few minutes. Result:Nothing for next 3 hours.
Fourth Call: I insisted to talk to the manager as i was not getting any favourable result from customer care executives. Manager listened to the complaint and also counted the hours the problem was persisting (More than 12 hours !!) He made me go through a technical jugglery (Swith off main power, take out view card, reinsert it etc. ) Result: Nil. He informed that the compleint has been registered and will revert. When asked about TAT (Turn Around Time) i was shocked to listen the reply !! 24 HOURS MINIMUM !!!.
Fifth Call: Received call from their technical team next morning. Again same reply (Refreshing. Keep Sert TOP Box on). Result. Nothing.
Imagine a customer expecting world class DTH service as promised and out of the 3 Months free package, the services stopping within 15 days !!! And despite no fault of the customer, i am without TV for more than 36 Hours... Worse than my local Cable guy... Never such a thing happened ever with him..
Result: Worse kind of service by Airtel and pathetic customer care... I regret the decision to go for Airtel after arguing with my wife who was in favour of Tata SKY. I regret my decision within 15 days. Am sure am not going to renew my account after the initial free period is over;
My appeal to all future customers of Airtel DTH, Dont go for such a company who dont care a damn about customers... Just go through all the lists of complaints against Airtel at this website and then make your mind whether its better to save few bucks or suffer later for no fault...
Aug 14, 2020
Complaint marked as Resolved