CONSUMER VOICE

My wife holds a mobile telephone number that was ported to Vodafone from MTNL about six months back, in the hope of getting better service. Unfortunately, in the last few months we have realized that Vodafone is no better than the previous service provider. This is despite clearing dues regularly. Recently we had to visit the USA. I contacted a service executive of Vodafone and deposited a security of Rs 3,000 to ensure uninterrupted international roaming facility. I was informed that the roaming would be started soon. I also deposited an additional amount of Rs 500, partly adjusting the bill for the period that we would be away. To our horror, we found that the outgoing call facility was withdrawn all of a sudden and without any information, putting us in great distress. Being a doctor, I needed to be in touch with my patients and colleagues round the clock. I could not do so because of the thoughtless decision taken by a company executive. On returning back, we contacted a Vodafone executive to enquire why the facility was withdrawn. We were told rudely by the executive that the security amount was in our account only and that we had to clear the dues separately before service could be restarted. (The reason for discontinuation of outgoing facility, as told by her, was non-payment of bill of Rs 719, with due date before 19/7/2014.) Dr NK Dubey From the complaint it is clear that Vodafone has put the consumer to a lot of inconvenience and embarrassment, without addressing his requirements in the USA. The deposited amount has been ignored and the service remained disconnected. There was no outgoing facility. The service executives were not helpful for reasons known to them. They are expected to assist the consumer as far as possible. For all this, Vodafone should warn the executive and compensate the consumer.