Oct 30, 2008 06:07 PM
5160 Views
You must have seen the ads on TV – Airtel has launched its DTH service called Digital TV. I buy one, from Saak Communication, SCO 279, Sector 32-D, Chandigarh (Phone: 0172-461995, 4616655) for Rs 2000. I am told that activation is very easy, I have to call a toll-free number: 1800 102 8080.
It seems that the number can only be connected from Airtel phones, which was not told to me. I try for two days, then approach Saak Communications, who tell me that it is not possible. See they can get the number anytime! [Translation: the customer is a fool or a liar].
Then a paper in the Digital TV packet tells me that Airtel has appointed nodal officers for redressal of grievances. The number for Chandigarh, 0172-467 0021 is either not functional or is overwhelmed by complaints. They just do not answer the phone. So much for the call center
number and the nodal center. If they are not answering the phone now, what will
they do if my system develops a snag?
I go to another Airtel dealer, who tells me that the number
cannot be dialed from any other phone apart from Airtel phones. He also tells
me that the price of Digital TV is Rs 1699 and I have been overcharged by Rs
301 by Saak Communications.
I go to Saak Communications and ask them to get the Digital
TV and also tell me why they have over-charged me. They are able to do neither.
[Convenient excuse: Server is not working]. I am asked to come again and again
to their office till their wretched server starts functioning! A stupid looking
fellow, who appears to be the owner/partner of Saak Communications, tells me
that that my complaints of over charging “are not possible.”
The situation now is that I cannot get through to the Airtel
call center or nodal officer, I have already spent Rs 2000 on a gadget which
has not been installed, and of course I have been overcharged by about 15%.
I can’t get through to Airtel. Under the situation, my
dreams of watching Digital TV have evaporated. I don’t know when this wretched
thing will be installed.
Airtel should have got its service systems running before
launching a service. Neither the technology, nor their dealers seem to be aware
as to how to handle customers. Should you then buy Airtel Digital TV? I would
say no, buy Tata Sky instead. Their systems are in working order and there is
an attempt to help the customer, unlike these guys at Airtel.
Frankly, dealing with Airtel is so tiring that I regret ever
buying their product. I had an Airtel phone and had to switch because they were
regularly overcharging me. I wonder why I bought their Digital TV anyway.
So buy the Airtel Digital TV only if you have an Airtel
phone. But then if you have an Airtel phone, you probably know about Airtel
service, in which case, you probably know that you are better off with some other service provider!
