[Resolved]  Airtel — New SIM Card Activation

I bought a new SIM card from one of Airtel's retailers on 19th Jan. The card was not activated and I was told that I had to visit the relationship center to get a new SIM card as this SIM card was 'faulty'.
When I visited the Airtel relationship center in Koramangala, I was asked to pay Rs.49/- to get a new SIM card, which I felt was preposterous. Airtel customer service guy, Ameer told me that the SIM card which I had bought was packed in June 2009 and it is not valid beyond 3 months and the retailer should not have sold that to me. I obviously was not aware of this as there was NOTHING on the SIM Card which said 'activate before 3 months of pack date'.

Airtel relationship center guys asked me to go back to the retailer and ask for a new SIM. I went there and the guy made multiple enquiries to Airtel only to confirm that I cannot get a new SIM unless I paid another Rs.49/-.

The retailer promptly recommended me to return my Airtel SIM and he gave me a Vodafone SIM. I think he may have lost about Rs.49/- in the bargain, but that was his customer service offered to me. Now, I got a Vodafone SIM!

I have been Airtel's postpaid customer since the last six years and also have Airtel broadband at home but this experience has not been very good for me.

Guys, beware. My suggestion is to get the SIM activated IMMEDIATELY before going out of the store.