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Airtel review: pathetic service! 61

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12:00 am EST
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This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

I have my account in the airtel call home where I can call India. Since the first day, the website doesn't work. If at all I am able to log in, I just can not even see my profile. I can not do anything there. The customer care number [protected] does not work. It is either busy or if by chance you get through it, you are put on hold. Once I was put on hold for an hour, but still customer service executive did not come online. There is a place in website where we can lodge complaint or give feedback. Even the website is not allowing me enter any information. This is the worst service I have ever seen. I am not sure how to contact Airtel and close my account. I have $20 in my account.

61 comments
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Srinivas Varma B
Dec 16, 2006 7:41 pm EST

I agree 100%. Airtel CallHome, The service is pathetic. Ever since i bought $ 50. I was not able to use it so far due to problems. I cannot reach customer service. I tried to use my phone as a registered phone but not successful. I finally was able to reach customer service after 1 hr and they said they fixed it. But i still have the same problem. I am closing this account. If not put a complaint with credit card.

Now even the toll free number is busy... Going back to good old days in the 20th century.

Do not go with this service. Reliable or Reliance are by far the best professional service that you can for the price.

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nandakumar
Dec 17, 2006 4:43 pm EST

I too have the same problem, called and talked to them twice after waiting for 1 1/2 hours each time, one of the worst customer service i have ever seen in my life,every time you call them they would say your ticket will be fixed in another 4 hrs time and the last time manager by name Preethi said it will be fixed in 24 hrs but even after 36 hrs nothing happened.

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Tarun
Dec 17, 2006 9:27 pm EST

Today I learnt one thing, even though I knew it before but today it confirmed just like a science experiment you say hence proved. What’s that? That is if you do not have a good or quality product to sell you get some big or popular name for your advertisement. That’s what exactly Bharti telecom did, they hooked Shahrukh khan for their new Airtel CallHome Service. Using this as they say, you can call India from USA at 7.9 cents.

Unfortunately the 7.9 cents impressed me and at one bad moment I started registering with their poorly performed website. This website is damn slow, I think the worst performance wise I have ever seen. If the reason is number of hits then they should be prepared before launching their product in the market. Anyway after 5-10 minutes of struggle I think I am registered. Why I said registered because I didn’t get any confirmation, I didn’t get any e-mail, I didn’t get any user id and on top of that at the end of registration process it said there seems some problem with your home telephone number.

Now,I found another option and that is calling their 24×7 customer service and guess what? After trying couple of attempts I got message “ All circuits are busy please try after sometime”. In the last 24 hours whenever I called I got the same message.

Finally, I opted to go to their feedback page to post my complaint. Nothing to guess, even after filling every filed whenever I hit submit I got a message box, message similar like “please enter valid data in mandatory field” and that field was feedback text box where user is supposed to write about their problem. I checked and assumed may be it doesn’t take single or double quote so removed those from comment and tried again and got same message. smart me, then sent same comment using yahoo to their customer service.

Surprise surprise, I got automated reply with blank in the from address (see image above) so even they didn’t test that part too. So what the end result, I am going back to reliance and wqn even though they both charge 12.9 cents but I always get my call connected whenever I call. If not best but at least far far better than this big fuss called Airtel CallHome. Instead of paying big chunk of money to S. khan I hope they will use that to improve their products.

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Guru Thakkar
Dec 18, 2006 12:33 am EST

Cant even login after registering. Access number or customer service number wont work! Cant even submit online complaints!

Their system sucks !

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Anand
Dec 18, 2006 2:06 am EST

Yes I have been contacting the airtel customer care center since a week..first few days there was only engage tone only then after that there was an unending call up till 1 hour and the call got cut. I sent mail but to no avail. I am really surprised at this response. I suggest all the people to be careful and do not pay the amount and go for this service.

Absolutely the response is very very poor and pathetic.

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Subhankar Das
Dec 18, 2006 3:16 am EST

I have been using uspcard.com pinless for my long distance. As per my knowledge, voice is very clear.
They don't charge for maintenance, surcharges etc. It is just 9 cents/min cheaper than Reliance.
I felt like it is really a good deal. you can see the call details online. They have toll free number.

http://www.uspcard.com/sign_up.php?rcode=LMNYZ4WJ4

Use promo code LMNYZ4WJ4 while registering for discounts

- Subhankar

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infinity
Dec 18, 2006 3:21 am EST

I'm TERRIBLY disappointed with this website, service from the day I have registered. Initially I paid 5$ on registration and the call quality was fine. However after a few days I wasn't able to login as it continuously says "Invalid user id/password" which is meaningless. After a few attempts the same id/pwd would work, however I could never recharge as the transaction hangs half way through. My userid since then wasn't working.

Added to the frustration I was tempted to register for another user and without my knowledge the registered value was 100$ and the page froze in the process of registration (with the message - "please wait while the transaction is being processed ..." after I gave all my cc details. I waited for nearly 3 minutes after which I had to close the browser window. There wasn't any email confirmation that Ive been registered so I presume that the transaction was never made. To my shock my credit card is now reflecting a 100$ credit from Bharti and I have no way of charging a complaint.

The customer care no can NEVER be reached. I started writing an email for a complaint and guess what - I got a validation error saying "please enter all fields marked with *" ! There are javascript errors on the webpage all over.
From what I can understand being a software guy, this website was prematurely developed by a bunch of college kids without any idea of handling the scalability and the management handling this is probably the most terrible of all.

Needless to say, this has been by far the most unprofessional and unethical service started by any giant corporation that I have ever known on internet and it just shows how poorly they have launched this ambitious project.

I think I have lost my initial 5$ and now another 100$.

SHAME ON Bharti/Airtel to loot people in the name of their brand name

PLEASE SPREAD THIS MESSAGE TO ALL before Airtel makes a million $ in registrations alone without providing service ...

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Sujith
Dec 18, 2006 4:07 am EST

I have to agree with everyone on this board. I have the same issue - cannot get customer service always engaged ---- cannot submit a complaint from the website even though all fields have been entered, it still says missing fields - real pathetic -

Being a cautious guy I always charge the minimum for a new service I still do not like being taken for a ride. I would suggest everyone to use the credit service complaint so that they do not get the none. I have seen credit cards being pretty responsive to this once before when rediff shopping screwed me

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sri kel
Dec 18, 2006 12:32 pm EST

My guess is, this website may be a fraud website - i hope i am wrong on thie one.

As i cannot imagin a billion dollar top company like air tell making such mistakes over and over again.
Need to do further re-search, on this one.

Folks do your own research on this one, watch ur credit cards and socialize any of ur findings.

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chandra
Dec 18, 2006 2:31 pm EST

I saw the ad and subscribed to the service. The website is very slow and I could never register my home number. I feel the service is not from a professional company, which can not even have the web service properly to excel in telelecom!

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Jayakanth Vasudevan
Dec 18, 2006 2:52 pm EST

I have registered an Airtel phone card from Airtelcallhome last week. After completion of registration, the site told me that it will send an email to my Email Address specifying my User ID/Password and account details. But, I didn't get any email till this point of time. Its more than a week & I cannot wait anymore. The money has been taken away from my credit card, on the same day. Since I don;t have anything about my account details, I cannot login back or inquire about anything. I tried to reach the customer service via phone but I could never get them on line. Always it is giving Engaged tone. I tried to reach another contact number they have given in the site but it is asking for my account number which I am not aware of. Also, I tried to send an email to customer service but the email got bounced back saying that there is server problem on their side. In simple words, I just lost my money.. thats all... My roommate also have the same experience, he also didn't get any response from Airtel...which is really frustrating...

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junk
Dec 18, 2006 2:56 pm EST

I agree, yes it is a fake site, nothing is working, it is waste of time. Even complaint (feedback) is not working.

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Tejas Natu
Dec 18, 2006 5:05 pm EST

The Airtel CallHome service is hopeless. It sucks. I cannot register my telephone numbers, there is a painful process of entering several account numbers, pins, after which if you are lucky the call gets through. Their website is very sluggish. Nobody wants to see funky flash animations and different avatars of shah rukh khan on your web site. Instead provide us with fast and error-free registration and recharging experience.
Customer service is a joke.

Why did airtel launch the service if it is still not ready?
Such unprofessional service will definitely cost them $$$.

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Anil
Dec 18, 2006 7:50 pm EST

It happened to me also. I was charged $25 on my credit card but never able to register or login. We should file a case with Better Business Bureau https://odr.bbb.org/odrweb/public/GetStarted.aspx

Who ever had trouble please take time and file a complaint the more complaints they get the more fast they will act on this issue.

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sri kel
Dec 19, 2006 7:37 am EST

Folks, after some re-search, i don't think this is a fraud website. After trying several times, i could get thru to AirTel customer service. They informed me that they are aware of all the issues (Mainly their website) and trying to fix them. Said it will take another week at the maximum to fix all of them.
Their customer service no is always engaged as every one is trying to reach them, and they did not expect this kind of calls.

I have seen news on Air Tel launch of call home for Indians in USA on Timesofindia, CNBC india, etc news sites. So i think its definitely not a fraud site. One thing less to be concerned about.

here r the links for the news website:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/737544.cms

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Kaizer Cooper
Dec 19, 2006 9:43 am EST

GUYS.

I went to the State Department of New York and tried to track down the USA entity under Airtel group registered here in New York. They were incorporated Sep 12, 2006 as BHARTI AIRTEL (USA) LIMITED.

Lacks a resisted agent but here is the DOS address who will direct communication and lawsuit information to the company. Please file a class action or collective consumer lawsuit.

THOMPSON HINE LLP
ATTN JIM JALIL
335 MADISON AVENUE 13TH FLOOR
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 10017

Lets get these cheating ###!

-Kaizer Cooper, CPA

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Kaizer Cooper
Dec 19, 2006 9:56 am EST

To all people affected by this fraud:

Contact the Attorney Generals Office at:

[protected]

OR

[protected]

Also offices are located at 120 Broadway, Lower Manhattan, NY.

Please take definitive action and file a complaint. Sitting at home cribbing about it and not doing anything is not going to help.

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Samit Chatterjee
Dec 19, 2006 7:13 pm EST

Airtel call India is a CHEAT website. Beware of this site. Never create a account and give your credit card number on this site. 1. They have charge twice $25.00 on my account. 2. They have locked my account - I can not place any call to India. To resolve the issues... I am trying to get hold of 24x7 Customer Care No. [protected] but it NEVER WORKS - Always you will get busy signal. The "Current Balance", " Change Registered Numbers", "Account History" in the website... never works. I am very much frustrated. Called my credit card company for fraud protection - Hopefully I will not loose more than $25.00 - Thanks to fraud protection on my credit card.

http://www.techtree.com/India/News/Airtel_CallHome_Debuts_in_USA/551-77728-613.html

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Mubeen Ahmed
Dec 21, 2006 6:39 am EST

The service Airtel Call Home is really bad. Airtel is just misleading customers into paying for their service. I would rather pay more with a reliable service like reliance and not even bother with this.

* I was never able to make a call
* I lost 25 USD. They charged by CC right away but did not activate my account. Its been over a week now.
* The customer service number never works
* They do not respond to email

Lets make sure everybody else sees this company as it is. A SCAM!

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The Sane One
Dec 21, 2006 6:15 pm EST

Guys,

All of you paid using a credit card, so get a grip, stop whining and Call customer service and have a dispute filed to reverse charges. Problem solved and case closed. Tell them what you are posting here as the reason for your dispute. Essentially money was taken for a service which was never actually provided.

Good Luck all and stick with Reliance especially now that they match Airtel offer in ALL respects.

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me
Dec 22, 2006 10:50 am EST

I cannot get phone numbers registered. Cannot contact customer service.

Pathetic!

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Mukul Bhaskarwar
Dec 23, 2006 1:03 pm EST

I have tried to register via airtelcallhome.com and it did nothing but to charge my credit card. i tried next day and i got details about my account. When i tried to call it says account is locked and need to call customer service. i am trying to call to their customer service since last 7 days but phone is not working [protected])...now my money is stucked with them...

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Ravi
Dec 25, 2006 2:31 pm EST

This is the worst service i ever seen. I have registered with Airtel call home and I am trying to reach Air tel customer service many times but i could not reach them. The site is very very poor.

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Suhaib Ahmed Khan
Jan 25, 2007 8:56 am EST

One of the worst service provider I have ever seen in my lifetime. They are just there to rip your wallet. I December 2006 I got into their trap, and end up trying to register on their website, which was not successful, I never got any pin or account number, but in Jan 2007 I saw they charged my credit card (they are very quick in doing that, when I called them about the charge they told me that my money will be refunded back to me (still waiting) later on my bad I tried to register again (thinking they must fixed their problems) so this time I got the a new user id and pin, but I was still waiting for my previous illegal charge to be refunded. Finally they blocked both of my accounts, giving me no reason why they did that?

Note: I never used my first account to make calls. So again now I have to fight to get my money back from them.

CHEATERS!

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Jayaram
Feb 07, 2007 10:18 am EST

USP Card (http://uspcard.com) is not working now-a-days. Do you guys know about that?

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Gopal
Feb 18, 2007 12:59 pm EST

I have been trying to make phone calls using Airtel for the last 3 months. It absolutely sucks. You can never get through. Once when I got through and entered all the required information, then I got the busy tone. Reliance rocks, airtel sucks.

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Ankit C
Feb 28, 2007 12:03 pm EST

I registered for airtel callhome service a month ago. But till now, I have never made a single call home. It does not work at all. Pathetic service. I sent out a mail to customer service which replied to me that my complaints are not valid and everything is fine at their end. When I asked them to return my money and close the account since they can not resolve the problem at MY END, I did not get any response back. It's such a frustrating experience. I expected a quality service from AirTel. Somewhat similar to what Reliance has. But I have to say "Airtel sucks".

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Sweety
Mar 01, 2007 2:34 pm EST

Hi, I have a account with airtel but the service is very bad. When ever I Dial to india it is always busy and it doesnt get connected at all. And the site also doesnt work at all. The site page never loads , I think the airtel service should be improved lot.. Other wise airtel loses the customers soon. Every one thinks airtel is fraud , its very shame to think like that as i am well known customer in INDIA which is widely spread Good network provider of INDIA but the service regarding the "AIRTEL CALLING INDIA " is not satisfied by any one. Hope AIRTEL will improve in near future..

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Brijesh Shekar
Mar 02, 2007 11:26 am EST

I don't have enough spare time to read each and every one of the feedback on this page. But, I did scan most of the reviews, which is mostly negative about AirTel.

I have a suspicion that every one of you is a 'Reliance India Call' employee.

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Mohan
Mar 30, 2007 8:10 am EDT

Lots of negative complaints and Brijesh suspects others are "Reliance India Call" employees. How is your experience with Airtel Brijesh? I am not an Airtel customer. I will try their website and 24x7 customer service before joining Airtel.

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peter
AH, US
Apr 05, 2007 7:54 am EDT

I have Airtel connection for past 45 days. There is no problem till now.

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Ramana
Apr 19, 2007 2:28 am EDT

I have registered with airtel for calling India, as part of promotion I referred a friend and for that I did not receive talk time as promised by Airtel, when I register a complaint with them they are least bothered to solve it, and I hardly get connection to call customer service on [protected]. Please do not use airtel call home service to call india... Reliance is the best... earlier I used Reliance calling cards only but as there was talktime offer I switched to Airtel... but please all customers who wish to call India... DO NOT USE "AIRTEL CALL HOME" service... its my humble request.

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Anand Kumar
Jul 04, 2007 2:29 am EDT

I recharged my mobile for Rs: 888 through internet (HDFC Bank). Actually for a 888 Rs recharge we get a validity of 180 days and a talk value of Rs:665.32. But when done through Net Banking i validity increased only for 90 days. When complained to the customer service (complaint No: [protected]) and after two days they replied that it is the Bank 's problem and Airtel is not responsible for such an issue.

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Amit Shah
Jul 04, 2007 6:07 am EDT

Why is it ?Airtel must not increase the monthly mobile charges from 249 to 498 it's very disappointing. How happy I'm using the service but i'm not at all satisfied with this sudden change. I think i have to move to other network providing cheap charge for mobile office.

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Sandeep kumar jain
Jul 06, 2007 5:55 am EDT

My mobile no. is [protected] and out going call is barred in that no. I have already checked my mobile, even check it on other mobile but the problem is still as it is. I have made so many complaint but no action is taken till today.

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Ramkumar Rajamanir
Jul 10, 2007 4:47 am EDT

I have never experienced such a worst customer service from AIRTEL karnataka. Few months back i have left india and requested my mobile number under safe custody. Customer services also confirmed that my number is under safe custody. But i have been invoiced for every month with monthly charges. I have sent several queries regarding that and none of my queries were answered. I have also contacted customer service and escalated the issues to the manager. The manager simply terminated the call and went without answering my queries. Its really frustrating to have such a worst customer service. I am discussing with attorneys to take necessary action upon airtel. They are not prompt to customers.

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Mugdha Apte
Jul 14, 2007 2:50 am EDT

On 26th of June I got a call from Balaji Teleworld located at B-43, Devine Sharaton Plaza, Bhayander (E), Ph. : [protected] regarding conversion of Prepaid to Billing connection. On 28th June a boy called Ganpat came from Balaji to collect all the required documents and an amount of Rs. 599/- as conversion charge. I supplied all the documents and requested amount in cash. He assured me of the conversion latest by 30th June and handed over a receipt for the same amount. I spoke to Ms. Sunita at the same time on the number given above to reconfirm about the same.

After that I have neither received any kind of updates regarding this process nor they are picking up my call. I have brought the matter into notice of their Seniors Mr. Milind and Mr. Jagdish as well. They also assured me for the process to be completed till Thursday 5th July 2007. Still I have not received any kind of verification call or even any update.

After this I called the circle office as well and spoke to some customer care executive on [protected] on 5th and 6th of June 2007. They showed total non-cooperation and further asked me to directly contact the branch office. I requested them to connect me to some of their manager as well but due to busy lines, I could not convey my problem to them.

The Branch Office people have utterly misbehaved with me which has caused me a lot of trouble and mental harassment throughout. I have been tracking this case for more than one week and I have not received any kind of satisfying answer from the branch office.

With regards
Mugdha

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PRAVEEN KUMAR
Jul 23, 2007 4:06 am EDT

My no is [protected] the complaint no is [protected].

This complaint is regarding the balance on screen facility which is not displayed after u make a call or message and also the amount of free sms remaining is showed 100 as it is not changing stand still to 100...

Last week i lost my cell n applied for duplicate sim n i got the sim since then am not getting this facility on my no.

I called airtel customer care and placed an complaint n it seems not going to be solved, just because of this i unawaringly lost my 40 rs balance while messaging since my message counter reached hundred i cud not make out. If balance is deducted then after every message it will show the balance and no of sms remaining ( i have quota of 100 sms free per day). In case i am tapped out of my quota the next message will be charged n will be displayed. I did not get that message n was kept on messaging till my balance got 15 paisa.

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Mali Madhav V.
Jul 23, 2007 4:12 am EDT

My daughter Pallavi availed airtel companies Friends prepaid plan. But many times service remains interrupted. Her Mobile No is [protected].

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dhiresh bhatia
Jul 23, 2007 5:36 am EDT

This is regarding the pathetic behavior shown by the airtel dealer. I'm from Coimbatore and my phone no is9952447372. I have deposited the enrollment form twice but still they stopped the out going facility. I am i supposed to get my photographed clicked every time who will pay for it. This is harassing me mentally and surely will be going to the consumer court. In future also will also advice people to stay away from airtel connection. This is for airtel happily harassing you for you.

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