Small wins
I had bought a wireless internet connection from Tata Indicom in April. It basically accesses internet through Tata's cellular services. They provide a USB card, which acts as a modem.
But for some reason, the card found itself in Singapore towards the end of April and I put the wireless services on hold. They told me that I wouldn't have to pay until I reactivate the services.
Now, they send me a bill for Rs 600, and when I enquire, they say that rental charges have to be paid and that only any data usage charges will be deducted.
Howmuchever I tried to argue with the customer care, I got a standard reply - 'Sir, I understand your concern, but our plans indicate that you have to pay the monthly rental'.
Frustrated with their replies, I told him that I wouldn't pay and that I would go to a consumer court to settle the issue. The moment I said that he said, 'Sir, I can deduct Rs 250 from the bill'.
I was surprised at the speed with which he agreed to deduct the amount.
Do consumer courts in India really work?
I don't know.
Awareness about consumer rights is still low in India I think. In spite of stellar tele-serials of yore like 'Rajini'.
Update: This issue is now closed. See the next post.
But for some reason, the card found itself in Singapore towards the end of April and I put the wireless services on hold. They told me that I wouldn't have to pay until I reactivate the services.
Now, they send me a bill for Rs 600, and when I enquire, they say that rental charges have to be paid and that only any data usage charges will be deducted.
Howmuchever I tried to argue with the customer care, I got a standard reply - 'Sir, I understand your concern, but our plans indicate that you have to pay the monthly rental'.
Frustrated with their replies, I told him that I wouldn't pay and that I would go to a consumer court to settle the issue. The moment I said that he said, 'Sir, I can deduct Rs 250 from the bill'.
I was surprised at the speed with which he agreed to deduct the amount.
Do consumer courts in India really work?
I don't know.
Awareness about consumer rights is still low in India I think. In spite of stellar tele-serials of yore like 'Rajini'.
Update: This issue is now closed. See the next post.
posted by Anand at 12:32 PM
3 Comments:
Hi Anand,
I am Sarfraz Vanoo, Manager in charge of Customer complaints at Tata Teleservices.
Could you pls send your account and contact details to me at sarfraz.vanoo@tatatel.co.in for me to help you resolve your issue
To get a good idea about defense of consumer rights, in terms of what it takes, and how much can be accomplished, you should take a look at this blog:
http://theeverydayblog.blogspot.com
and look into entries labeled consumer rights. Two cases are very well documented (the milkman and MRP at airports)
hey vugs, I did look into that blog. Pretty interesting read there. Sometimes I think, all India needs is judicial and police reforms and everything else - corruption, skewed power equations in society etc - will all work themselves out.
Post a Comment
<< Home