Jul 06, 2011 06:12 PM
1863 Views
Never buy a Blackberry Handset from Vodafone. Reasons are:
They don't give you a better price on your handset.
Your handset is locked with the service provider.
On top of it, they don't have any after sales service.
I discovered this today when my Blackberry Curve Handset had a software issue(Error "Reload Software:552") and upon checking online and with the Blackberry customer care, I was told that the software needs to be reinstalled.
Nothing big is what I was told by Blackberry Customer Care, it would take just about 20 mins and Rs 400.
Wasn't too happy with the Rs 400, coz after all it got hung when the software was getting updated(post a prompt I got automatically).
Anyways, I went off to the BB customer care, waited 20 mins with a token in hand and my number finally came. It was then I was told that since its a Vodafone locked phone, BB does not have the IMEI number in their system and so they don't provide service for it and that I would have to visit the Vodafone store for the service.
Surprising, since I had called up the Vodafone customer care before this trip and they did not seem to have any option for after sales service for BB on their list of options in any of the Menus.
Still went over to Vodafone store. again was told that they couldn't even talk to me till I took a token. Waited 40 mins after which they very happily told me that I would "NEED TO LEAVE MY HANDSET WITH THEM AND THEY WOULD SEND IT TO BANGALORE AND THEY NEED 14 WORKING DAYS FOR THIS". All this of course, after being extremely rude.
BTW, I was not the only unhappy customer in the 1 hour I spent at the store - 3 more customers came in and literally shouted at the top of their voices after meeting with a similar treatment that I got, including a helpless lady who was on her way to the airport to catch a flight and her phone services had been blocked. The customer service executive flatly told her that he would not even speak with her till she took a token and waited in line for her number to come. She had come with all her luggage. Poor lady, with no options, left after venting out her anger.
Solution I was given later by a colleague, visit a local mobile store of blackberry and they will do it for a fee of Rs 500 in 20 mins in front of you!
Need I say more.
