I did gone through the poor reviews abt airtel dth before taking my new connection, but somehow my mind still thought may be these are occasional cases and believed at least the service will be good in Bangalore. So to my fate I payed for a new HD connection and here are the consequences:
[1] PLEASE DON’T GET FLAUNTED WITH THE OFFERS THAT THE AIRTEL CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT DESCRIBES YOU BEFORE TAKING THE CONNECTION. THEY ALL ARE SIMPLE BLUFF. Here is what happened in my case:
> The agent told I will get 500rs worth naptol gift coupon. But he never mentioned the conditions apply behind it. The voucher is worth for nothing and you cannot use it against any useful items in naptol portal. They are applicable only for few (a very few) WORTHLESS items.
> The agent told I will get discount vouchers in e-bay. But again he did not mentioned the conditions apply behind it. If you read those conditions, you will understand the voucher is a thing for your garbage.
> The agent will tell you the installation is COMPLETELY FREE!.. You no need to pay any single penny after the initial payment. When the the service engineer visits your site you will understand what is the meaning of "Day looting". They charge extra for everything, even a single meter of wire extension. And you cant imagine the rudeness of the site engineer, he will tell "if you want you pay.. Or contact customer center.. but I wont wait till then". When I contacted customer service, (after hours of waiting over the line), the service person will tell, they have a different meaning for the term "INSTALLATION FREE". And he will elobrate you a new policy. And to add to this may be you have misunderstood what our engineers told. I went ahead to register a complaint against the support engineer who gave me false information, the answer you will get is -> "We will call back" .
Yes right!.. Still waiting for the call :)
Summary : The airtel support guys are trained and well organised looters. [2] OH WELL FINALLY I GOT MY BRAND NEW HD SETTOP BOX INSTALLED!!. BUT WAIT... WHY I AM NOT ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING?. Here is my story:
> Paid the site engineer all the bugs he asked. He set up every thing and demo’ed me a black screen on my TV where I could only see a error message. The engineer told it will take some 2 hrs time for activation and he escaped.
> Called the site engineer the next day since it is not activated still. As expected he told contact customer service. (Believe me calling airtel dth customer service and getting connected to a agent is more challenging than anything. Sometime they will disconnect you in between, if they are not able to answer you.. sometimes you feel it waste talking to these idiots as they keep saying only one word "SORRY" > One day gone.. Still not activated.. Called the customer service.. this time they told "Backend software problem" t will take another 24 hours.
> Another 24 hours gone.. called the customer service (and explained the whole story of 2 days again :( ).. this time they told wait for another 24 hours.
> After three days they told.. there is some issue.. its activated from our end.. you please go to some nearby airtel agents and get it resolved YOURSELF !!!
But why the f***!! I shud go!. Its their installation engineers responsibility to verify the connection before he leaves my home.
> Moreover we have to pay 100RS each time for a engineer to visit your site for any issues. Summary : I just ended with blasting at them with a F*** words.. and satisfied myself :). Oh ya if you are really interested in abusing someone so badly go for a airtel dth
connection.. their customer service are happy to help (sorry listen) to you. Now I have requested for my refund and take this set top box back. They told they will.. but fingers crossed.