My experience with mobile operators in India has been very bitter, as I’m sure it must’ve been for so many people. If I had a Rupee for every time I abused them, I indeed would be rich. You don’t need to be a detective to realize the hegemony of the mobile operators here in India.
(Please Note all these examples are pertaining to Tamil Nadu as I currently reside here.)
Firstly, the immoral messages being sent to Customers. Yes, believe it or not. My friends have often received such messages:
“Hi I am Julie. I am alone and lonely and need someone to talk to. Call me back at this number. “
Who sent this message? The mobile operator! Such messages are only sent to male customers and it shows how the companies are going to such extreme measures to make money out of people.
(And yet people sit and talk about “WESTERN INFLUENCES” affecting the youth of today. *Scoff* )
Secondly, the highly audacious schemes of overcharging on festivals ( Diwali, Holi, V-Day and so on.. ) shows how money-hungry these operators are. I mean, just look at their nerves to do such a thing. They just use these occasions to put their dirty hands in people’s pockets and grab out the money. Come on just look around : EVERYONE reduces prices during festival times. I really think the government should force Mobile Operators to remove this clause from the agreement (if at all it is there.) This is an outright violation of Consumer Rights. They promised me a calling rate when I purchase the SIM card and that gives them no rights to hike the prices on some days of the year.
Thirdly, the helpline services. TERRIBLE. I am on Vodafone and when I dial the helpline number I am greeted with numerous offers, but not a single instruction on which number key to press so as to talk to the ridiculously unhelpful call center employees.
Fourthly, all mobile operators employ unfair means to overcharge customers. For eg: A song service. They say “Set the caller tune for free.” But little does the customer know he is being charger per minute for the call he made to set the caller tune. Was that informed? No!
This is not the end. Everyone has their own share of such horror stories to share. Such unfair, immoral and unnecessary actions have to be dealt with severely. The mobile operators have already made way too much money and it’s time such things be put to an end.
I fully agree with you. I too have very bad experiences with Vodafone and MTNL. Pathetic services and customer care. I had given complains many times, but who cares? I doubt TRAI is keeping any eye on them. Good post, keep writing
thats great.. now i have the aam junta wid me!