Mar 04, 2012 03:48 PM
4272 Views
(Updated Mar 04, 2012 03:50 PM)
I am just back from Lok Nyayalay Pune District Court!
Trust me . I was hoping it will be a very formal and professional experience . just like in movies but it is not at all that serious!
Anyway coming to the point . I have been using the broadband connection since 2007. To be honest I got best service from Tata, now called Tata Communications, for the broadband service. I started getting technical issues of internet not being available in Jun 2011 and total confusion about value added services I never opted for suspension. Irony is I tried to talk to the folks around 2-3 months but later gave up and switched to other service provider.
I made sure that I sent the termination request on 10 Aug 12 and thank got I kept the acknowledgement and history of communication about problems with the service provider in mail box. Also naturally, I didn't pay the bill for Aug approx Rs. 1023/-.
All of a sudden . in Feb 2012 I got a notice from Lok-Nyayalay that I have to be present in court on 4 Mar 12 in person to defend my case of default in payment! I thank my friend who is advocate on helping understand the situation.
I took print-outs of all the history and went prepared with intention not to show anything and just hear what Tata guys say.
My myth about court was completely false . there was no judge! Mr. Nikhil Garg from Tata Communications with one colleague were the person for discussion there. The judges weren't there at all!
Here it goes then onwards -
Attempt 1 - Nikhil just refused that I sent them termination request and I'm liable for full payment. I showed them the acknowledgement and they couldn't talk!
Attempt 2 - Nikhil mentioned that I still have to pay for 10 days since termination request came on 10th. Then I showed him the communication log of unavailability of connection since 15 Jul 11!
Attempt 3 - Nikhil claimed that the agreement doesn't consider technical / billing issues. It only recognizes whether I sent the termination request!
At last I realized its not the typical court I had imagined(like in movies!) and there is no end to the fight. so I settled for proreta payment of Rs. 300.
The whole matter took 15 minutes to settle to Rs. 300. Next 2 hours went in confusion on giving award, the letter from court mentioning case is settled! I am thankful to see the judges at least for signing that award. We got out and case closed.
While I was in the court area, I saw a lot of such companies doing this exercise. Also, I saw that most of the people didn't have evidence that they have sent termination request and had to pay FULL amount. And lastly, ONLY those members whose disconnection before 1 year . hope you got their idea!;-)
My suggestion to all the folks who use internet these days,
Make sure you send formal termination request ASAP if you get technical / billing issues. Agreement doesn't cover it and make ISPs liable for it. Its a pity but true.:-(
Keep history of communication with you even after 1-2 years.
Keep a copy of termination request with you forever.
Don't panic if you get notice from Lok Nyayalay on this front. Don't imagine it to be as professional as a movie! We were laughing there and seeing the "show"!:-)
Take care of above items. Enjoy surfing!
