When we landed in Chennai on 9th February, 2007 from the most beautiful city of India (Chandigarh), one of our major worries was to fix up a cable connection to our TV-addicted kids. Our worry multiplied further when we realized that the local cable networks did not fodder the required Hindi and famous kids’ channels which my children wanted to watch. After analyzing the pros and cons of various private operators, we finally zeroed in on TATASky connection thinking that the brand will never disappoint us.
The instrument and connectivity came with a price tag of about Rs 4,000, which included the cost of Digicom, dish and connecting charges. The service was prompt though the monthly subscription was little on the higher side compared to the charges that we were paying at Delhi and Chandigarh for the same channels. But for children’s sake, we decided to bore the brunt. Later the house hunting episode began to go nearer to our elder son’s school in Virugambakkam.
After a few months of ordeal we could only manage a house at Mogappair in June 2007 which was about 7 km from his school. When we shifted from Amabattur to Mogappair in June 2007, the TATASky charged us a shifting fee of Rs 600. I was wondering since the connection comes via satellite, why this hefty charges being forced upon the hapless ‘non-house-owners’ in Chennai where getting a rented accommodation within one’s budget is only next to impossible task!
My children were the happiest lot as they could now watch channels of their choice. Meanwhile, the company launched a few more value-added services such as Active wizkids, games and offered education packages for children of all ages. I bought a package for Rs 300 for one year subscription and my kids finally turned their attention from the boring cartoon channels to something educative and productive. Days went off smoothly before we decided to shift again to a house nearer to our son’s school. He was traveling by auto every day from Mogappair to his school and the long journey had an impact on his health. To end his ordeal we shifted to Virugambakkam on March 3, 2008.
When contacted, the TataSky asked us to leave the dish and wire at Mogappair flat itself as the company would provide a new dish and wire for relocation cases. But the charge remained the same; Rs 600. I was mentally prepared to pay this price for the sake of my children again. But when TataSky representatives came to my new location with a dish and a spiral of cable they promptly told me that Rs 600 is only a minimum charge for relocation. If the length of the wire exceeds 20 meter (they later told me that the length exceeded 20m), I will have to pay Rs 200 more. Since our building has concealed wiring for cable connection, they put another bombshell saying that I had to pay another Rs 500 for concealed wiring. I told the representative to go back as I did not want the connection anymore. But within two days, I realized that I cannot keep the TV dark, as my children were getting bored after the study session.
I searched for the website and tried to post a written complaint at www.tatasky.com. Alas, there was no email Id of any responsible officer available to handle customer queries. All they have a ‘contact us’ section where I need to login using my customer ID number and choose options like Relocation, Multiroom, Change in details, Change package, etc. I made a written complaint on 4th of March asking the company to reconsider their policy of charging more (Remind you, Dish TV charges only Rs 300 for relocation) in relocation cases and go for a moderate tariff. After a day, I got a call from the company’s rep in Bangalore, expressing sympathy for the hardship I had to undergo and promised that my complaint would be processed faster. But after almost ten days had passed by, neither my connection has been restored nor have I got any information about the status of my complaint.
My question is simple. Why should the company charge Rs 600 as relocation charges when it offers its new connection for Rs 1,500? (Of course with a hidden charge of Rs 1,000 as activation and connection charges, which they have not advertised). Now, I have no option but to bow down to the exorbitant charges of the TATASky as I have already invested about Rs 5,000 including the special package offer. What would happen to my monthly subscription of Rs 300 as I am not using the connection since March 3? Will they redeem it? Again, the company has no answer for it.
Interestingly, the company told me that my feedback was the first one they received regarding the relocation issue!!! Can anyone believe it?
I do not know how many TATASky customers are undergoing the same ordeal. Will the company come out with a clear cut policy regarding the connection charges for people who relocate within the city limit? Also, I request the company not to outsource their customer services to some unscrupulous people to avoid exploitation.
The ultimate sufferers however, would be the customer and the image of the TATA brand, which would go for a spin. Will all these go into right ears?
Like my TV I am also still in dark!!!.
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http://kriyer.sulekha.com/blog/post/2008/03/should-i-say-tata-to-tatasky.htm
