This is becoming a trend now.
I had a similar experience with our last cable operator, which I think was Siti Cable. Suddenly, all Sony channels were stopped. We complained and the guys who came to collect money said that the channels will be on in a few days. Several days went by, and still nothing. Then, next month, he came to take money and my mother said that first you start the Sony channels, and then we will give money. He said to send your card number to a number on Whatsapp and they will start it. He started telling my mother that it doesn't work this way... you will have to pay upfront, and then we will start it. Well, somehow by that evening, the channels were started. But then, towards the end of the month, again the channels were gone. Again, he came and my mother said the same thing, and this time, I thought of giving money, since he had started the channels last time. Well, they didn't start it. Just took the money and went away giving false promises that the channels will be started in 1-2 hours.
I had to call them a few times before the channels were started. We were asked the card number for it to start. When I called up the local office owner to say your staff said to start but didn't do... he said, leave what they said... what can I do... you tell me the card number. Then he started after channels sometime.
Means, this is the condition. When you tell their staff, or call them, they say we will start soon, but never do. And when you complain to their owner, he just dismisses it. What's this attitude.
Next month, same thing happened, and we were said to again Whatsapp our card number. So, this was the limit for me, and on the 1st of the month, I called the owner, and said to disconnect our connection. He said why are you doing this.. it will be fine in a few days and there will be a new management and all and things will improve.. you have been with us so many years, so bear for one month more. I said alright, let's see. But next month, again same story. So, this time I called and said to disconnect. He said okay, will do so till evening. It wasn't disconnected. I called up again, and he said some software upgrade was going on, so it won't be disconnected now, but after sometime. I called him for 2-3 days, and he would give the same answer.
Then, I called their head office of my city. The guy there told to talk to the local cable operator. I said I have, and I told him to make me talk to someone in authority. He talked to someone and they refused to talk I think, and so he put down the phone. I called him up again, and he says that we cannot do anything.
I mean it was ridiculous!
Then, I searched for their toll free number, and registered a complaint there. They said it will be done by evening. It wasn't done. I called them again, and told my complaint number and all...and they said it takes 24 hours, and to check after 24 hours. I waited for 24 hours... still not disconnected. Then, I again called, and this time they said that they cannot do it, and I have to talk with the local cable operator only. By this time, I was really frustrated and gave them a piece of my mind. After that, they told me to call the head office... again!! I mean what the heck! I called the head office again, and I told him the situation, and he gave me the number of someone high up in authority. I called him up and the guy first asks, where did you get this number from. I was like, really?
Then he too says to me that I will have to talk to the local operator, and he just disconnected the phone. I mean this was ridiculous.
I went and talked to another cable operator, and he said that unless he disconnects, we can't give you a new connection, because of some agreement between these operators.
I called up the owner again, and asked him to disconnect, and he says he would do it and not to call him again and again. I asked when will u do it, because you are not disconnecting. I said others won't give me connection, because U won't disconnect. He says to me, you can try to get another connection, no one will give you. I said are you threatening? Then he calmed his tone down, and said why you want to disconnect and all. I said I don't want your services anymore, and please disconnect. I said I won't give you any money, because you aren't disconnecting. He said okay, I won't ask any money from you even if use the whole month.
Still after that, he didn't disconnect. Then in a few days, we had to leave to another city and we stayed there for a month and a half. When we came back, I found that on turning the connection on, it says card not authorized. I took this opportunity, and went to the other cable connection guys, and asked them for a new connection. He said that the message means he still hasn't disconnected, but we will give you the new connection. So, we got their connection.
Now, you know, when new month started, the old cable staff came to get money!!! He asked for money for previous two months... ridiculous! See the audacity of these guys! We told them we had got a new connection already, and that we had already told for disconnection. Then, he left and didnt come back again.
This was a really disturbing and horrifying experience for me. I mean, they weren't disconnecting at all. Their head office in the city wouldn't do it.. calling their toll free office wouldn't do it.. I mean somewhere someone high has to listen, right? But, it was like they all were in this together, and they just didn't want to let us go, forcefully.
If we hadn't gone away to another city, I am sure this would have turned really ugly, and we either would have to go and fight at their office... or we would have to complain in some forum... or, we might just have to continue with them. I had got really disturbed by all this, because I didn't know what to do.
The current cable operator too stopped Star channels for a few days, but atleast they didn't do such drama to Whatsapp our card number to get the channels. They said there was some agreement problem. And the channels returned.
But really, everywhere it is like that now... they just want your money, but they do not want to provide good service to you. Customers just don't matter at all. It's really sad and pathetic, and really, there should be somewhere we can go, where we can complain, because such guys need to be punished hard.
