[Resolved]  Airtel — Billing Cycle & unfair billing

I am registering a complaint against faulty Airtel sales, customer service and billing.
Purchased a sim card from Airtel on 30th Oct 2007
Information given to me:

1) I was told that the simcard would be activated after I recieved a call from Airtel on my Vodafone no., since i have only one instrument.
2) I was never notified that the billing cycle could be for 2 days, 7 days or 10 days. Billing as explained to me was on a monthly basis.

On 8th November, I recieved a call from Airtel that I would be billed on 10th for 10 days of service provided. I was not even aware that my sim was activated, and to this day it is lying in its original packaging.

Action taken by me:
a) I called the sales person named Anuraj Guleria and told him about this billing. His exact words to me "Customer care kuch bhi kehta hai, you will not be billed." He was wrong. I was sent a bill.

b) I visited the Airtel gallery and informed them that this billing was unacceptable to me, and I wanted to cancel my card. I was told that I HAD to pay the bill for which I had recieved no service, since I was not even aware of it. They refused to cancel my card unless I paid that amount, some 76 rupees. I refused to pay it on principle that I had recieved no service against that 76 rupees.

c) I submitted a letter to my bank and cancelled the ECS.

d) From Nov to March, Whenever I got a call from Airtel, I asked them to discontinue the simcard, since I was not interested in the pathetic service. They continued to bill me for a card that I was not using.

e) I submitted a letter to the Airtel collection agent about this issue.

f) After recieving a lawyer's notice, I called the contact person and was told to cancel the card at the Airtel Gallery. I visited the Gallery once more and got the card cancelled. I was given a cancellation number and told that I don't have to pay anything. I offered to return the unused simcard, and they said it was not necessary.

The bill amount has now accrued to 780 odd rupees, which the Airtel lawyer today informs me must be paid since I have 'cheated' Airtel. You tell me who is cheating whom here?

Airtel has the worst service I have ever encountered. It has no regard for its customers, unless they are forking over money. I urge the authorities to help me and also suggest that people in Mumbai stop using Airtel Service, since it is so pathetic.
Truly Disappointed and Harassed,
Aparajita