Non existing After Sales Support. Review on Airtel Digital TV

We had DishTV in our previous house. I had planned to buy Tata Sky once we shifted to new house in Pune. We took the possession of our flat in Jan 11 & shifted in Apr 11.

I was told by builders' site in-charge that the builder has done an agreement with Airtel DTH in form of MDU (multi-dwelling unit). Here a single common big dish is installed on the terrace & cabling is already done through ducts. As this project was a premium one, the builder was cautious about the elevation of the building as many small dish on terraces would spoil the look. Seeing this better interest of the project, I canceled the idea of Tata Sky & opted for Airtel DTH(gave the dishTV to our carpenters).

Airtel DTH has alloted different part of the city to various agencies who look after Airtel DTH MDU(multi-dwelling unit). In our case, it was Shree Enterprises. As I have a habit of recharging various services on yearly basis, I did the same here & paid the discounted amount to Shree Enterprises for 1 year of Mega Pack by cheque for my connection.( Customer ID 3007597135)

Initially, it was recharged with only Rs.1590 & once this amount expired, this Shree Enterprises chap, Mr. Yogendra started recharging on monthly basis. As it was never done on time, I had to remind him after I used to get SMS from Airtel DTH to recharge the account. I also lodged complaints about the same on Airtel customer care, but they did nothing. All this inconvenience despite paying for annual pack:(.

Couple of months back, in mid-Nov 2011, the Shree Enterprises took money from subscribers of various residential projects for renewal & fled the city. My validity of connection for 4 months was lost due to this as well. I took up this issue with Airtel customer care, sent email, spoke with builder; but got no response from any of these except for the builder who said that you are free to get any DTH connection of your choice. Hell, why wasn't this option given before? I have seen projects where builder has tie up with 2 DTH providers for MDU & customer is free to take any of the two.

Finally, I spoke with Airtel DTH Zonal manager, Mr. Yogesh Kulkarni & he informed that Airtel Digital TV has lodged police case against shree enterprises & enquiry going on, but that chap, Yogendra is missing & his mobile is switched off.

I mentioned to Mr. Yogesh that we paid to Shree Enterprises as they are authorized agency for DTH MDU of Airtel & what happens between Airtel & their agencies has nothing to do with the subscriber. The reply I got was that the amount will be credited only after recovery is done from Shree Enterpises & till then, recharge on-line. And now they have given us a new agency.

Finally, I alongwith some other residents of the complex have decided to opt for Tata Sky once our current subscription ends as the issue is not just of money but commitment to the subscribers.

Airtel Digital TV is not interested in subscribers, not even in case of MDU where in case of our complex, there are 3 buildings. Never opt for Airtel Digital TV, even if you feel their initial offer to be lucrative.

• Btw, Airtel DTH said that my account is not valid even for cash back offer during which I had taken the connection. Infact, they say there was no such scheme despite I having the brochures for the same. Ridiculous.