Sep 07, 2010 08:02 PM
2863 Views
(Updated Oct 14, 2010 03:10 PM)
Update: After sending several emails on 121@airtelindia.com and gotten assurances that my 2 phone numbers have been freed from all fraudulently added Services, I recharged my phones with a 275 rs recharge. I immediately received an SMS that said the balance was 275 rs.
One day later, without having made a single call and without having sent a single SMS, the balance showed 263 rs. A whole 12 rs taken out without absolutely using the phone.
Guys, this is a totally pathetic corporate devoid of ethics. My understanding is that they are in big trouble with 2-3 major things that have gone against them
1) Reduction of call charges from 1 rs to 50-60 paise across the board (Airtel is the most expensive with 72 paise per minute)
2) Acquisition of Zain Africa for $10+ billion
3) Obscene licensing fees for 3G during the recent auction
They are under severe duress and their stock is taking a nice beating on the stock market. So, to make up for losses elsewhere, they are compensating by taking out 2 rs - 10 rs per day from prepaid user accounts.
A lot of people do not even check their balance for days together - it is very easy to rip off smaller amounts every day from your balance without the user realizing it. Airtel has mastered this technique.
I recently bought an Airtel Prepaid card in Mumbai. I was initially happy with the signal strength and coverage and was excited to have found the solution to my cellphone signal woes. Little did I know what was in store!
Literally every other day I would get added to some Value Added Service or another. Attempts to unsubscribe from these fraudulently added services invariably failed each and every time generating "Error" messages leaving with me with no resort but to call customer service. And here comes the bomb-shell -- your calls to Airtel Customer Service are charged!
The modus operandi is to add customers fraudulently to Services hoping they do not unsubscribe - if they do try to unsubscribe, generate error messages. The only option therefore is for the customer to call Customer Care which would allow the company to make a quick buck.
All this translates to huge bonus earnings for the company.
