- Now quite satisfied with the service- - - -
Editing my past comments on Hathway. It was really frustrating earlier(see my story below). Now I am pretty much satisfied with the service.
Connection is consistent and speed too. I had to call them only once in last month. So I have decided to give them better rating.
I wish to get BSNL, but it takes three months and I consider it humiliating to follow up with sarkari ppl every now and then. I dont like sarkaris. they stink and have lots of attitude.
I stay at HSR Layout(6th Sector). After eliminating AirTel (service not available in area),Reliance(poor reviews and brand image), BSNL(connection comes with landline), I had to finally resort to Hathway.
Since my odyssey with Hathway has just begun, I have decided to keep sailors of same boat updated on the progress, on a day to day basis.
Keep an eye on this review for next few weeks as I will update it frequently. So the story so far:
Friday, 16/05/08: 7.30 PM
Called+91-80-40161616, told that I want a new connection.(standing duck eat me). was told that we have forwarded ur enquiry to regional office, they will call you tomorrow.
Friday 16/05/08: 7.55 PM
Got a call from their regional agent. He asked if its ok if he can visit right now. Being close to dinner time, I asked my wife, she approved. agent came with some files, papers.
Friday 16/05/08 8.10 PM
I finalized their intro pack of Rs.550 valid for two months. After taxes and all it comes to Rs.620. Due to some "offer" he didnt took any money for modem rental, deposit, registration etc. So 620 is all I paid to him. I was promised that connection would be done on sunday.
Sunday 18/05/08 11.00 AM:
I called the agent to know when people would come in for connection. He said sometime between 12 and 4.
Sunday 18/05/08 1.45 PM:
Hathway people came for connection. They confirmed where location of cable, they put the cable and packed their bags. I asked wherabouts of modem. I was told some other member would come for that.
Sunday 18/05/08 6.30 PM:
Called+91-80-40161616 to check when modem would be installed. I was told tonight team would come and install. Nobody came.
Monday 19/05/08 11.00 AM:
Called the agent, he told somebody would come to put modem today after 12. Being working day, I asked him if its ok to schedule install after 6.30. He said ok. Unfortunately rains started. I called+91-80-40161616 again and I was told it would be done tomorrow as their may be power outage. I took it as a valid excuse.
Tuesday 20/05/08 11.00 AM:
Called+91-80-40161616 to check on status. I was told that I will get a call from Hathway team about the time when they will come for install.
Tuesday 20/05/08 1.30 PM:
Nobody called, so I decided to call again. Cust care asked if I am at home. I told, not right now, but can reach home in 30 mins. I was told that person will come around 2.00-2.30 PM for install
Tuesday 20/05/08 2.15 PM:
Hathway technician came to install. He carried a Motorola Surfboard modem. Asked for my laptop, entered details to it and also to the receipt. Handed over two documents and charged nothing. while leaving he told that your connection would be active in an hour. Once active all 4 LED's on modem would be lit solid.
Tuesday 20/05/08 3.05 PM:
I reached office. Checked hathway email and checked account details like usage etc. Will update this review tonight IF my connection is indeed activated and works normally enough to surf MouthShut. till then MouthShut and WorkBegin.!
Tuesday 20/05/08 7.05 PM:
Reached home and checked, it was not working. Called them and got the reply that something is faulty with cabling.(though I was able to ping their gateway). Was told somebody would visit to repair cable.
Wednesday 21/05/08 9.23 AM:
Called them again, this time got a different answer to the same problem. Was told that they will run a check, if needed they will visit home to correct things up, else they will do it at their side.
Thursday 22/05/08 9.11 AM:
It was still dead. Called them to ask for cancellation procedure. Cust care was denied for any refunds of package amount.(I paid Rs.620 till date). I was told you may cancel your account once your package expires or used. I had to explain her that connection must be alive for me to use it and I already know what a'Page cannot be displayed' page looks like. She promised me that by evening it will be up.
Thursday 22/05/08 11.20 AM:
Got a call from them for the first time. She asked if my modem is on and I am at home. She told technicians would look into it and call if they need to visit your place personally. I will begin my process to forward this entire episode to some consumer forum as they have already started counting my days towards expiry though I was not able to use it even for a single second.
Thursday 22/05/08 6.60 PM
By evening, connection started working, but I had to leave for Ooty in evening. So didnt get time to test it, just saw that all LEDs on modem were on.
Sarurday 24/05/08 10.00 AM
Connection was working, speed was good and consistent. I did microsoft update and my wife uploaded pics from our ooty trip. Connection died sometime in afternoon. I complained in evening and got a reference no.
Sunday 25/05/2008 3.30 PM:
Connection was back after more then 24 hrs. Checked emails and updated 2nd laptop. Now my aim is to finish off the allocated quota of 2 GB and get the connection cancelled. Since I didnt pay any installation charges or any rental, I wont incur any direct loss except my cell bill of calling them again and again.
Monday 26/05/2008 9:00 AM:
Connection was alive. I have contacted a NGO( http://www.icrpc.org) and would file a complain with them to drag these hathways to consumer court. I will demand full refund of package I paid(Rs.620). And the devil inside me is requesting me for a special treatment to their modem before returning it when connection is cancelled.
Only+ side of whole story till now is that Hathway is a great stress buster. After all the hassles, fights, arguments at office, you need somebody to pass your anger on to. there you are. simply dial hathway customer care. abuse them, shout at them. utter whatever you want to. and wow. wat a relief. your stress is all gone. u are all set to start a great evening.!
Thursday 29/05/2008 9:00 AM
All these days the connection has been alive for most of the time. Speed remains constant. Though I rarely use it during the weekdays. lets see what happens during the rains.!
Watch out for this review for 2nd phase of consumer court. the great consumer courts of my Incredible India.! lousy like elephants.!
