Un-fAIRTEL. Review on Airtel Mobile Operator

The mobile service provider, Airtel, just aint worth it anymore. Though I have been a satisfied Airtel subscriber since the last 3-4 years, a few recent incidents have made me think twice about continuing with this unfAIRTEL service provider.

Recently I moved to Mumbai from Delhi. My delhi number (9818051605) was replaced by a similar looking Mumbai number (9967711605)! I wanted to discontinue the use of the old Delhi number. However on the Airtel sales executive's advice I retained it as no rent was being levied on the old number. Though soon I realized that old number is actually of no use to me.

Though by this time I had already made an additional (accidental) payment of Rs 2500 through the online mode. There's no other provision to get this money back except either make calls from the old number or get it disconnected. In my case it made sense to get it disconnected.

And so the trouble begins.I had to really coax the Airtel employees to disconnect this old number. It took several STD calls and convincing skills to make them understand my problem. None of the call center employees were able to understand my dilemma. Instead they offered ridiculous solutions. Anyways I guess finally one of them accepted my offer to disconnect my old number. I was given a request number : 17269419. I was told that within the next 30 working days the cheque would reach my old billing address. I was also informed that once the request regarding the disconnection is processed the information would be passed on to me on my new Mumbai number. I never received any such call.

In fact I had to call back the Delhi custoimer care number 9810012345 from my Mumbai Airtel number in order to find out the status. This itself was not an easy process as I would always be put on hold (as this is a STD call it wastes both my time and money). So far tolerable. I was told that my phone was disconnected on July, 2008 and as promised the cheque would soon be delivered.

The cheque never came. After this whenever I would make a call to 9810012345 from my Mumbai Airtel number, the call would be transferred to the IVR system and never connect me to any customer care executive. So far I have made calls worth at least Rs 15-1, 000. The IVR system just does not work!Though the Delhi number has been disconnected, I continue to recive bills for the 9818051605 at my Delhi residence.

Besides calling 9810012345 I have called 9818334865 and 9958444865 but to no avail. These numbers are those of the Airtel Nodal and the Appellate authority. These numbers are always busy. Someone at the Appellate level once picked the phone but suggested I call the nodal authority first. Only then will he be able to help me out! Though the phone would always be busy. So, I decided to write a mail to the nodal authority and sent them an email on September 1, 2008. I still havnt even got a confirmation about the receipt of the mail. The mail was sent at : nodalofficer.del@airtel.in