Hello,

I, Dr. Karnik Aswin Shah, a resident of Ghatkopar east, Mumbai have been facing constant problems with my monthly bills (mobile no. 9930042547) since the last 4 months.


Firstly, For the Bill dated 25.05.11 ( bill period 25.04.11 to 24.05.11), I had activated vodafone blackberry services plan 399 for which I was promised that there will only be NO OTHER CHARGES EXCEPT THE MONTHLY RENTAL of 399, I was charged Rs.106 for vodafone live services about which I was not informed earlier despite repeatedly asking the vodafone executive about any other charges that could be incurred on the plan.

Then during the same bill period, I was mentally harassed at the most inconvenient times by the vodafone executives through CALLS and SMSes, telling me that my credit limit was exceeded due to the data usage which added on to my UNBILLED amount for which I was initially asked to raise my credit limit. Then despite my repeatedly refuting the attrocious claims made by the executives regarding the amount of data usage (in Kb) being shown, the calls did not stop; on the contrary their frequency increased. I was even asked to pay a part of the unbilled amount for which I was NOT be charged in the final bill to avoid disconnection of services. Only after repeated complains to the customer care and the Vodafone store at Ghatkopar east did they stop.

After the bill was generated, the data usage shown in the bill ( about 75000 kbs ) still did not match the amount charged for it ( approx. Rs 11,000/-) taking into account the regular charge of 10p per 10 kb; and i was charged an additional Rs.106/- for the services as mentioned above; in addition to the excess service tax being generated on the bill amount. I again took my bill to the Customer care vodafone store at Ghatkopar east, and they assured me that the complaint was taken into account. After 3 days I received a call from some company customer care executive saying that my complaint has been rectified and the reversal will be generated in the next month bill so I need to pay the remaining dues; which I promptly did.

In the mean time I had deactivated the vodafone blackberry internet service on 25.05.11 so that I wont be charged for it in the next bill period. Then on 27.05.11 the service got AUTOMATICALLY REACTIVATED. On enquiring, I was told to not worry about it, since it was a promotional offer by vodafone in which there would NOT be any Download charges and NO rental as well.

Then in the bill dated 25.06.11 ( bill period 25.05.11 to 24.06.11) it was surprising to see that I was charged Rs. 373. 26/- for the blackberry internet service rental plus Rs. 24. 70 for VF mobile connect; Rs. 118. 70 for Vodafone live and the additional service tax which was incurred on the above charges.


Thereafter I had to again leave my all important work to rectify the error at the Vodafone store at Ghatkopar east at which time I was NOT given a clear explaination of the charges but rather told that the complaint has been forwarded to the respective departments. I was also promised REVERSAL on my next bill BUT I was given CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS TO NOT PAY THE BILL TILL I GET A CALL FROM A VODAFONE EXECUTIVE VERIFYING THE RECTIFICATION OF THE ERROR. I probably thought that this would be the last problem and all the errors would be verified.

But, rather than getting a rectification, I started receiving calls and sms asking me to pay my bills; at which time I conveyed my problems and i was being told that the complaint is still in process. Therefore the clearing up of bill never arises. I was given a complaint no. 1042490486, but from 19.07.11, my ougoing services were BARRED. Thereafter on confirming with the customer care representative on phone, I was told that such a complaint no. does not exist and my outgoing will remain active only for the next 48 hrs. and NOTHING could be done about it.


I was shocked and appaled at the attitude of the concerned customer care representative's attitude of blankly refusing my request and asking me to just visit the vodafone store to see if anything can be done.


After repeated and continuous complaints to vodafone customer care and vodafone store at Ghatkopar east, my outgoing remained active and I was of the opinion that my billing problems would all be clarified in the next bill cycle. Therefore I paid the bill amount of Rs. 693, which should have been my actual Bill amount. On my last visit to the Vodafone store I was assured that all the complaints will be taken care of and that the errors will be verified.

However, adding further to my agony, in my next bill cycle of 25.08.11 ( Bill period 25.07.11 to 24.08.11), the incorrect additional charges (for which I have been complaining since the past 4 months) were carried forward and I am asked to pay the same.

But now I have lost all faith in Vodafone and I ask you to disconnect my service with immediate effect. I am out of the country for a period of 1 year and therefore I am not using the Vodafone services whatsoever. Also I need Immediate and urgent rectification of Billing errors, so that I do not have to pay for the charges that are wrongfully levied upon me. And furthermore, I do not want Vodafone to harass me or my family in any way and stop sending Bills at my residence.

I sincerely hope that this complaint does not fall on deaf ears so that me and my family can live in peace !

Best,

Dr. Karnik Shah.



PS.
Account details:
Mobile no. 9930042547
Talk plan. GK 199
Relationship no. 1.13010073

List of people who I have talked with regarding this till now:
Ms. Kavita Stalin Raj
Mr. Rahul
Mr. Yash Vijay Parekh
Ms. Vijayalaxmi
Mr. Bharat
and many others, the names of which i do not remember.


After sending this mail and getting no response at all, I asked my father to check wit the vodafone store, since I am currently out of the country for 6 months, so . I am still very furious with the representatives who have asked me to pay all my dues and that they cannot do anything and i have to pay up at any cost.

I think we should all stand up against these ridiculously rude and ill mannered cheats, and an official complaint should be lodged with the Consumer Protection Court regarding the MASS HARRASSMENT being faced by the whole lot of people. All of us are working class people and we do not have this as the only work in our life. Everytime I go to the store with the same problem, they make me stand for about an hour and then their reply is "I am sorry sir, nothing can be done.. u will have to pay up the bill.. vodafone will give you a call regarding the billing complaint and we will rectify any errors." then there are no calls at all from vodafone, and after calling customer care repetedly, they say that all the charges are valid and u have to pay up the bill. What i do not understand is that how do they activate vodafone live and vodafone mobile connect automatically without asking the customer and charge them exhorbitant rates. These are ll cheaters who want to loot their customers and I am not the one who is going to pay up the wrong charges for which I have been billed, at any cost.