I inquired on the website for a reliance broadband connection. They passed on my number to one the sales guys in Bangalore. His name is Sreenivas and his number is 9008366220. He met me and I gave him my home address.
He mentioned that it’s possible to get connection at my apartment. I told him that usually they do not allow people to install anything on the terrace. He lied to me and said that it’s already done for another customer and they would certainly allow the antenna to be fixed on the terrace.
So, I filled the application form and gave a cheque for Rs.6180 on 26th of January.Ever since that date, Srinivas has stopped responding to my phone calls or SMS. The technical people visited my apartment early this week and told me that my apartment authorities are not allowing installation to be done on the terrace. They also mentioned that fixing in my balcony is not possible because of the weak signal. They made me sign a form as well.
Now, the sales guy, the call center operators and the technical people all assured me that my cheque will not be encashed before the installation.To my shock, today I find that my cheque has been encashed.I again called the call center and they are asking me to wait for 7 more days and that I will "hear from my sales coordinator". That’s all they could promise me. Remember this is the sales guy who will not pick my call.
The proof I have is the receipt and my bank statement. I’m still trying to figure out legally what options I have to recover that money.So, if any of you are considering Reliance, see if you can meet them at their office rather than depend on the travelling sales man. Another option is to keep a close watch on the cheque payment. If there is no feasibility, immediately go and issue a stop payment. Otherwise, you might have to waste lot of time trying to get your money back.
Latest Update:
Someone from Reliance’s commercial dept called and mentioned that they will send a DD in 10 days time. So, Reliance gets to keep my money for about 2 weeks without interest. I think Reliance is deliberately encashing the cheque even before feasibility is confirmed. (and unfortunately, the person who called me was extremely rude too). I will update once I actually get the DD>
Latest update on 17th February. It’s 11 days since the call and no DD yet. Latest update on 24th February
18 days now and still no response. Their call center says they can’t do anything and ask me to email broadband@relianceada.com. I emailed at least 4 times and they always give a canned reply with no complaint number. Currently, I’m researching on how to file a consumer court complaint against them.
Last and final update as on 11th March
Got the DD from Reliance yesterday after much screaming, shouting and emailing. Lesson learned. Closing the thread.