I have been using the mobile number 9989741780 for past 6 years (almost!) but I am terribly disappointed by the kind of response I am receiving from Airtel off lately. Last I could use this number was on 2nd Nov and then all of a sudden it showed "sim card registration failed"
Question: Why wasn't I alerted by an sms or a customer executive call instead of deactivating sim all of a sudden. There was no communication sent on my correspondence address either. You can verify by checking the logs.

Due to some personal issues I could not visit airtel office before 9th Nov. 4th Nov when I visited airtel office I was asked to resubmit the documents. Collected all the documents and resubmitted those on 9th Nov.

Note: There was no time frame mentioned by the airtel executive for submitting the documents.

Was informed that the number will be reactivated with 72 hours. Went back to airtel office on 12th Nov eve as the number was still not activated. They asked for another few hours and then activated the number. Was glad to have my number back but BANG all my balance vanished (Rs 510/-). Called up to the complain number 198 and logged a complain. Was informed that the error will be rectified within 48 hours. Nothing happened in 2 days and 3rd day when I called again, very nicely I was told that the complain has been closed.

Question: Why was there no communication in 2 days regarding the status of the complain. How can you close the complain without a confirmation from the customer.

My call was then transferred to the senior supervisor and after giving all the details, I got to hear the following stories:

Story 1: Since the sim was not used for a period longer than 1 month, the number was de-activated.
Story 2: Since no outgoing calls were made for more than a week, the number was de-activated.
Story 3: Unable to check logs as this is a new number and so can not give any details as on to what happened to the balance.
Story 4: Documents were not submitted within 48 hours of de-activating the sim and so the number was closed completely

Question: How come airtel executives don’t know the reason for the missing balance and every one coming up with a lame excuse? Do you actually think all the customers are idiot and give then some story to just close the issue? For story 1 and 2 I gave them details on what time, which number and which date calls were made and then story 3. Again when I furnished the details they moved to story 4. If I go with story 4, it takes me back to my first question. Why did the executives sitting in airtel office never mentioned a time frame on when to submit the documents and how do you expect the customers to know sim card registration failed indicates re-submitting documents. Why is there no communication ever made to the customer. What happens if the customer is out of state or is hospitalized in the period when this happens - you just eat away the balance?

After having a lot of discussions with the customer care, I was promised the rectification within 24 hours. Its 48 hours now and I never heard back anything! Is this how you deal with your customers?

Story 5: Usage did not exceed Rs 200/- for last month and so the number was deactivated. A new number (same number) was allotted to me.

Question: Which document states that for a prepaid number each month usage should exceed Rs 200/- ? Did you ask the customer before giving a new number, if he/she is really interested in taking up a new connection with airtel? Isn't giving the same number again as a new number without even informing CHEATING?

19th Nov: Airtel executive says the error can not be rectified in a realy RUDE way.

Question: If the error can not be rectified why was it promised twice by assistant manager and senior manager that it will be rectified within 24 hours? I have the names of all these executives (assuming, they indeed told their real names during the call).

Also sent an email to the nodal officer as mentioned in the airtel website but no response received even after 24 hours. Rs 510/- doesn’t matter that much as the mental harassment I have been going through!