Airtel - SPARE ME!!
I got my number ported (MNP) from Idea to Airtel. This is a Delhi/NCR number 9911580474.By the time the porting process was complete (which takes around one week or so), I had traveled to Bangalore. As soon as porting was complete, I was no longer getting Idea network on my Idea sim. I replaced it with Airtel SIM but the airtel connection is not yet activated. I am getting the network signal, but I am unable to make or receive any calls or send sms. I guess this is because I do not have any pre-paid balance.
However I am able to receive SMS.
Now the problem is that there is no way the Airtel connection can be activated!!! This is what Airtel wants me to believe!!
Worst is that I am not allowed to call customer care from this Airtel number. I had to buy another pre-paid sim, and from there I have to make STD call to some Delhi Airtel customer care number. I have spent many hours and money in making these calls, and here are the most idiotic replies that i have had to bear from sick Airtel Customer Care service -
1) Sir please contact Idea Customer Care. your number is still not ported to Airtel. (Then i have to explain to them that since I am receiving sms on my number on Airtel SIM, hence the number is definitely with Airtel. So is it possible that the same number is with Idea as well as Airtel?? Of course Airtel Customer Care does not have an answer to this question)
2) Sir you need to activate your number. please call 123 and select a language. Your number will get activated. (I have to then explain to them that here in Bangalore when I dial 123, I get the message that this is not a valid number. So i cannot call 123. I request for an alternate number but airtel cust care does not have an answer)
3) Sir you need to recharge for Rs 43 and then you will be able to call 123 and then you can select language and activate your number. (I have already tried recharge rs 43 from Bangalore, and even from Delhi but the recharge is never successful. Seems like Airtel won't allow recharge before the number is activated by calling 123. I also tried online recharge with various amounts from internet but that also fails.)
4) Sir I see that your incoming is blocked. I am unblocking it now and it will work in 1 hr. (this guy is crazy. I am telling him all problems I am having with this number, there is no service at all, i can't even check my balance using *123#. but this Airtel Cust Care guys keeps repeating that incoming is blocked and he will enable it. Of course, nothing has changed so far. i don't have any service as yet)
5) Sir, please come to Delhi, and make a call to 123 to select language, and then you can enjoy roaming in Bangalore. (wow!! amazing.. best answer.. I should spend thousands of rupees and days of travel to just make one call to some stupid number for some stupid reason.. and airtel customer care wants me to dance with joy with this resolution! simply awesome!
On making may be around 100 calls, of which many get dropped before the conversation is complete, and then I have to call again and repeat whole story again. Airtel does not have a provision and airtel customer care does not care to call me to know whether my problem is resolved and to try and resolve it. In may be 50 calls when I have actually been able to talk to Airtel Customer Care executive, I have received versions of one or more of the above 5 ridiculous so-called resolutions.
I don't understand what kind of "Mobile Solution Provider' airtel is when it can't provide customer care and can't even provide any means to enable the basic mobile service just because I have traveled from one city to another. Airtel has offices in Bangalore too, but they don't entertain traveling customers!
Further, they want everything to be done on phone! Don't you understand that my phone is not working! because Airtel has hijacked my number!!!
If Airtel has any sense of responsibility and shame left, airtel customer care would call me on my alternate number, or write to me on my email address! Why the hell do you ask for these information in Customer Agreement Form when you don't want to use them!
M tired. Spare me Airtel.
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