I guess it must be mandatory for one to own the product/service to write a review. However I am writing this review without actually subscribing to tata indicom. But before you rate the review as incorrect, here’s what I have to say.
I recently bought a laptop and was planning to get an internet connection. I checked out the rates on the internet and found out the numbers where I can contact for a new connection. I guess I was anxious to rush for internet did not check any reviews, did not even ask colleagues. First I came across was the tataindicom, and I applied for that.
The person came punctually, mentioned the offers and schemes. I had done my homework. Selected the scheme.
There came the first surprise. The scheme said that I have to pay a deposite and price of modem/router and I wil be given a conection - and if I go for 4 months advance rental, that can be waived off - for a post paid!. I asked him that I did not want to go for 4 months advance but opted for refundable deposite scheme. And pat came reply, that they are no longer offering that option. Although on paper, there was no option. If I wanted a connection I had to give 4 month’s advance rental. Daylight robbery - that I have to pay for 4 months advance - an amount of 4450 Rs.
I reluctantly agreed, wrote him a cheque. Asked him when will the connection come. Since that was a Wednesday I was told that Friday was when the connection will come.
I told him that since both of us work, we need the person to come in the evening 5:00 PM and I will take half day off from work. Also not to mention that he must call me before he comes for the connection. I was promised that it will be done.
Friday morning, I receive a call by the connection guy saying he is waiting outside the house. I asked him to come in the evening as I was planning to be at home for that. I take a leave from office for that and no one turns up for connection. The sales guy initially promises me that in next half an hour the person will come for connection. Later he does not pick up my call. After an hour of trying in desperation, he picks up to tell me that he will not provide connection on that day, my leave wasted, I was furious, but I knew this is the way the things work in india. I agree for him to come next morning for connection.
Same drama, no one comes when we shelve all our weekly errands - waiting for the guy to turn up for connection. I call up sales guy, he has stories to tell. I ask for his superior, the so called the Sales manager for chennai. This guy is even strange, without listening carefully for my story, he tells me that I can get my connection cancelled if I wished!
It sounded ridiculous to me, when I thought of cancelling a connection even before I was given a connection! I refused to take any further insult, I call up citibank to cancel the cheque.
I have written to tataindicom, customer care email Id provided, but I did not receive any communication apart from the standards "we shall revert to you withink 2 days" - preformatted message. I am not surprised!
I call up the airtel guy for connection. He comes in half an hour gets forms filled. Later in the day, he sends a guy to do wiring and by monday morning my connection is up and running.
Although a minor incident, and may be I expect the higher standards of services, but I dont think my frustration is invalid. I agreed to pay the highest amount. I honored my commitment. I let my office work suffer. I call and call again and again to the sales guy, only to hear false promises or even worse - attitude of people - yes you go ahead and get the connection cancelled!
I know that there are separate sales team - probably a 3rd party agency who handles sales - and different team for connection - but there is absolutely no synch between those two. The sales guy is only concerned about getting a filled form - I guess that is what he is appraised upon. Once the form is with him or his agency, he does not care about the connection. Arrogancy to the heights, he says it is okay to get the connection cancelled.
In a nutshell, I am glad that this drama happened before I took the connection - at least I will not suffer for this worst service, and where my money to the tune of 4500 would have been stuck.
And finally, when I thought of writing the review for the service, I was not sure what others would ahve written, and I am surprised that I am not alone in this whole suffering. On an average tataindicom has received worse reviews - and possibly rightly so!