The last time I reviewed on this site I was told by one of the members that I must avoid using harsh language as there are some nincompoops who might not appreciate it....So just before I start I may like to issue a warning to all those who might want to read this review : ’’Parental guidance 18 : Those weak at taking heart and who cant take foul language please keep away from my reviews’’.
Well its hardly been 2 months that I have taken a cell and the initial decision was the biggest one to make when I had to decide on a servide provider.Someone told me that Dolphin was lousy as the service was screwed up and also that it was the typical MTNL concern where one can apply for a connection and only leave it to god whether he got it or no.And for once I didnt want to take chances with mine ..so now the choice was between Orange and BPL.I was told that BPL had the highest customer base in bombay and gave good service and Orange was also good....So after a lot of debating with myself and taking opinions from experienced users I made the decision which was obviously a very wrong one ..I chose Orange.
Now let me tell u all that has been happening.
1)These guys have absolute bargainable activation charges.I paid 900 ...a friend of mine got it done free...It merely sounds like u get the best deal if you are good at bargaining.
2)There was no receipt given against my activation charges paid. (Not that I demanded but then not giving a receipt is not prefessional)
3)I was promised that my cell would be activated in 24 hours and it took nothing less than 72 hours to activate my cell.I was to recieve some realy imp phone calls from the US (from my clients) on this number and there was major inconvenience
4)Orange has 2 numbers for customer support .111 which is Hotline and 4321111 .Now If I had the time and patience to try numbers all day then I i would rather try KBC numbers than try 111 as both are equally dificult to get thru.Actually Orange is much worse.
5)After my cell was activated the caller ID wasnt activated by default which I was expecting and again getting that done alone took me 5 days of constant effort and followups.
6)When I took the SIM card I was told that the scheme that I was taking had 2 numbers free and 5 additional talkathon numbers that I can use at an additional cost of Rs 75 per number. I confirmed specifically and ensured whether I was in synch with what the Orange agent was trying to tell me.He retraited to me that the numbers were absolutely free.Now I am being billed for them at Rs 75 per number.
7)The network of Orange is more screwed up than the condition of roads in bombay during the rains.I stay on the Central suburbs in bombay and while I am travelling by train I dont get network almost all the way between Dadar and Thane.The irony of the whole situation is that Thane is full of Orange hoardings and advertisements and the network is the most screwed up there.I dont get network in most Theatres , Restaurants and most buildings/rooms that are of the closed nature.
8) My first bill came one day after the due date.I was furious since I receive a call the day I got my bill reminding me of my due date.
9)None of my friends who have a BPL subscription face any billing and network issues
So I think the choice is pretty clear ....I have to get this goddam thing changed before these Orange guys fool me more.I know that its not that other service providers may have issues also but then atleast I am sure that I will get better network reception ...after all thats what I am paying for !!!!!