Airtel Mobile- Bangalore - Quality of Service

I have been using Airtel Mobile (postpaid, personal connection under corporate scheme) for many years now and as their customer base has increased, the quality of service has taken a major hit. In last 1-2 years it has gone from being bad to worst. 

What all problems I have faced and keep facing? Here are some, some recent ones and some in past - not in any specific order. Similar issues have been reported by many friends and colleagues.

1. Dropped calls when in conversation (even when you are not moving and in good signal quality area.

2. Frequent one gets Network busy and calls not getting connected both mobile to mobile and mobile to land line (local as well as STD) 

3. Calls not getting disconnected when you press call disconnect button. (it is not a phone problem but network problem as it happens on any handset one uses). Many times the phone keeps showing continuation of the call even after multiple attempts. One is on mercy of the network and it some times takes anywhere from 30 seconds to more than a minute for call to get disconnected. Looks like a very smart way of Airtel to increase billing from customer as I have seen in detailed billing specially those calls which got disconnected after a delay.

Any one recalls those BSNL/DOT PCO days when you used to disconnect  a call and your STD meter used to jump and show a higher reading.. I see a similarity here, trying to cheat customers, may be.

4. You call customer care about any billing issue or for a complaint, more than 7 out of 10 times answer is - Sir system is down or we are facing some problems - can you call later.. Many times they do not issue a complaint number. One way to get rid of customer - Sir, I will SMS you the complaint/Case number in some time.. that some time never comes.. So one tried once or twice and then seeing their attitude and in interest of our time, one just lives with the problem or just pays whatever you are billed for.

5. Wrong billing for data services. Once when I was on a weekly unlimited data plan, there was a time when I was charged twice in a week and for many times charged when network had issues and no data services were available. Once you get billed you remain on mercy of the operator and call center agents in case you want to get your billing fixed.

6. Non responsiveness to the DO NOT CALL registry related complaints.. In fact Airtel folks  themselves call and send unwanted marketing messages.

And why the hell I am staying with Airtel? Do not have mobile number portability yet.. so in order to retain my number I have to stay with the operator. 

Share your views.

Thanks.. Have a nice day.

Neeraj

Using US/110V Wii in India - Voltage Conversion

If you plan to use USA Wii in India, most important thing to note is the AC power voltage, which in India is 220V compared to half i.e. 110V. Never plug in a USA power adaptor into an Indian power socket as it will burn the power adaptor. 

So ensure that either you have a universal (110V to 220/240V range) Wii power adaptor like the onces available in many shops and online through Amazon and other internet shopping sites. convertor or a 220V version adaptor. 

One option is to use a voltage convertor (220V to 110V) which are used to power US appliances in India. 

Another point to note is the difference between a voltage convertor and a socket/plug adaptor. Socket/plug adaptors as shown below do not convert the voltage they just change the pin type.  Below ones can be used if you have a 220V input compatible power adaptor.

If you just use these with a US Wii power adaptor in India then also the power adaptor will go bad and you will not be able to use Wii.

You need one of the following options. to connect a USA Wii power adaptor.

Rest Later. Have a good day.

- Neeraj

What you got served at a restaurant - part 2

This is at Bhartiyam restaurant (Bharatiyam Indian Bites) in BDA complex HSR Layout Bangalore. I used to be a frequent visitor there with my family and was mostly satisfied. But one fine day, one of the items we ordered was their Grilled Platter, which includes grilled cheese also and we found a dead house fly. Here are the pictures. Lucky that by chance I broke this cheese piece to before putting in my mouth.

On showing this to the staff they acted as if it was my fault that I found this.. When I asked for manager, they said he is not around.. then on insisting they said we can introduce to one of the relatives of the manager.. then the manager came. Then the story started on this is not our fault, it is fault of who ever supplied the raw material i.e. cheese and we can not do any thing about it.. Then trying to convince me and then scare me - why you took picture of your plate? You have to delete this.. In return we will give you another plate or will offer you free Kulfi (ice cream), will give you discount next time etc. etc... I deleted few of the pictures in front of them to show that these are gone now but in meanwhile had transferred two of these in my pocket PC. This happened many months ago and now that I started blogging thought of sharing my experience with you all.

Over all my view on feedback on quality of food was reasonable, before this incident. After this I have not personally visited this place. Prices are inflated and on higher side. Feedback from friends and others who frequent the place have been negative as once in a while they have found problems like hair, insects etc etc.. New customers are often impressed by variety and taste to start but in frequent visits the hype dies down and with such incidents, they are not able to retain customers for long, now that there are so many other options for food and restaurants in HSR Layout, Koramangala and Sarjapur Road in Bangalore.

You are welcome to share your views.

Have a nice day..

- Neeraj

Related Posts

What you got served at Restaurant Part 1

What you got served at Restaurant Part 3