raccoon

Err... how exactly to do that? I mean how to make it public and give it max. exposure? I hardly use Facebook (don't really like it). Twitter not at all... Hey, thats awesome!! But its not just about VAS activations. Many other things like packs expiring before expiry date and then data charges being deducted from main balance (my Sab Se Bol Pack), claiming that I have used more than 1GB in a week (when I had used not more than 100 MB) and then deducting amount from main balance towards data, Charging some local calls at 1p/sec even though I have activated 1p/2sec pack, etc., etc. Most cases mentioned above in more detail. These cases definitely now seem like a business policy and have suddenly increased after the change of guard at the top. So it pretty much seems like a well planned policy by the top management, along with the price hike in tariffs/pack charges.

Ooops, a very valid observation. Mods kindly edit the heading to "Now Missed Call Alerts Chargeable". I can't do it as it seems members don't have the privilege to edit the heading. Also, do check out the latest fraudulent milking by Tata Docomo in the other thread here.

Tata Docomo's open looting continues. Some "2G Keymon Moments Call" pack (according to their Customer Care) activated and Rs. 3 deducted fraudulently on 30 July, 2011. CC on phone says he has no idea what that pack is and claims it is not even a Docomo pack. I asked how any 3rd party can activate a service on my phone without my concent. He had no answer. I asked if he could give any other details of the pack like is it auto-renewing, etc. He said his system had absolutely no information about the pack, so he can't help. Its clearly systematic looting and refunding when customer makes too much noise and again looting after few hours/days in the hope that customer will tire of complaining. Yes, I am tired, hence sent complaint directly to DoT. I guess this time, I'll send it to TRAI also. I'm pretty sure they would be doing this to thousands of unwary subscribers.

Competition has to be kept up. But just that of course wont do - costs for telcos need to be lower. For eg. they have to pay so much for 1 tower... Govt., local govt., municipal bodies, etc., think they have a cash cow. But that money is going to come from somewhere.

Nopes dude. Not with Docomo. With Idea, I can and did live without it. But Docomo's coverage is nowhere comparable. Forget other places, even within cities, in many parts of many malls, shops, parking, etc., there is zero coverage. Total outages in an area are also possible, but to be fair, their network seems to be more stable lately... but thats in the short term - you never know if/when something happens and you miss an important call in future. If Tata thinks it can charge like Idea, then it is grossly mistaken. Why should we care what they have paid for 3G? I don't use 3G. Then better to shift to operators like Uninor. They haven't paid for 3G, and hopefully they wont milk us 2G users. Last hike was the data plan where they reduced validity from 30 days to 20 days. Now MCA is gone. Whats next? Then there is of course the increased instances of blatant looting. I wonder if this has something to do with the change of guard at the top...

I'm not sure if its a good idea. Why should a telco offer uniform tariff all over india when competition levels in different circles differ? Whats wrong with differential tariffs across circles? Why not leave it to market forces? And about moves that may impact operator profitability, if their profits are genuinely under strain, they will find ways to recover elsewhere. So if they remove roaming rates and increase local call rates, whats the point?

After making a call on my RGSM (Mah. Circle), I was surprised to get an SMS saying if I spend Rs. 2 more, I would get 5 local mins free. As far as I recall, the previous call cost Rs. 3. So for spending Rs. 5, they are giving 5 local mins free. 5 mins equals to Rs. 1.5 additional benefit @1p/2s. Any call on my RGM costs Rs. .33/min. So with this offer, using my RGSM is cheaper than Docomo (1p/2s). Nice offer from RGSM... and after a long time. And a good incentive to use my RGSM, which sees minimal use. Lets see how long it continues. Others are also getting this offer?

Its really a sick state of affairs. As someone said - crappification of everything. Customers should be extra alert to invest only in stuff that is more durable OR the price should be low enough to make use-and-throw worthwhile. So thats why I said, the above mixie has an MRP of Rs. 2,400 approx. At that price, its definitely not worth it. But at the price I got it, and if it does the job for couple years, at least, its worth it. Even in the case of CFLs, it seems many companies are just procuring them from China and marketing them here with their names. Crompton Greaves is one of them. Poor quality stuff... in fact the quality is variable, which suggests they procure it from different Chinese companies. However, the company tries to make up for it with service, by sending someone home to replace it if its within warranty. But why all this circus? I'd rather use say a Wipro CFL which lasts longer and is brighter. As they say - the best service is one that you never have to use.

Absolutely. But at the moment, the network is what I can call "usable" at my residence. About 10 days ago it was unusable with just one bar in most locations! So lets see how long the party of tariff plus usability last. In any case it just can't be used as a primary mobile.... so just use for outgoing calls when tariffs are good and network is actually usable, lol.

Which florescent lamps are available for 40-45 bucks? It is a given that most things are made less durable now, but the idea is to find stuff that is relatively more durable. Thats the primary purpose for doing a bit of research before buying anything.... at least for me.

Could not find Singer in the 2-3 shops visited. I guess they may be sold in Singer showrooms. Only Kenstar, Preethi, Panasonic, Birla, Philips. Save Panasonic and to some extent Philips, all others seem of pretty low quality. Birla seemed to take the crown for poorest build quality. From the quality it seems Kenstars, Maharaja, Birla, etc., are all cheap Chinese stuff. Singer is probably the same. Preethi probably is the only "Indian" amongst these, and is a better bet then these other brands, I'v been told. Had almost decided on Panasonic, but found this Maharaja Champion MX-107 deal. The price of Rs. 1,090 seemed too good to resist though the few reviews of current Maharajas I had were not good. A Panasonic would cost about 4 times as much. Another plus for the Maharaja is the compact shape. The Panasonic and many others are L-shaped, which have around double the footprint. Infi shipped it in 2 - 3 days and it got delivered in another 2 - 3 days, thru Blue Dart, which was yesterday. This is definitely no quality stuff. Also the smallest jar was found to leak slowly. Rubber on the legs is so poor that its already cracking. Vibrations are also pretty high. Our retiring Philips, which is itself no great shakes in quality, now suddenly seems much better, lol! Otherwise, it seems to do the couple of jobs thrown at it without issues. At the price we got it, if its lasts and does the job, for couple years at least, it would be worth it. At the MRP, please don't even think about it. Gotta get the leak and legs fixed though. Lets see how well a Maharaja is served...

Somebody help me understand this if possible. Have bought lot of stuff online, from various places, and have not paid octroi for anything. I presume octroi has been paid by the sellers. Have not paid octroi even from smaller seller on eBay, etc. Now I want to buy a watch from eBay, but the seller has mentioned that octroi payable by buyer, if applicable. On calling him, he said octroi will have to be paid by me in some areas on Pune but not in others. He did not know which areas, so the info was not exactly helpful. But then how come I have never had to pay octroi for anything purchased thru eBay (mostly small value items till now) till now? I dunno anything about octroi, as never had to deal with it till now. Can anybody shed light on this? Any chance if anybody knows if I would have to pay it if ordering thru eBay? The seller is in Delhi.

Oh? I bought several things form Yebhi recently, and did not have to pay octroi. Won't buy from them if I have to. And about the watch, I know the courier co. will ask me to cough it up on delivery... but I might not be too keen on buying stuff online if I have to pay Octroi for it. As for the rate, I was told by Blue Dart guy that it is 4% for watches.

Thanks mate, that was very useful. But they have the right to open the parcel?? Thats scary and raises many questions regarding pilferage, mishandling, etc., etc!

[img]http://www.rimweb.in/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/previous.gif[/img] Thanks mate... but some links not working and other stuff is in Marathi...

Just called up Bluedart CC. He told me it will be applicable for where I stay. But I didn't ask if its applicable only beyond 5k. Nor did he mention it. So if I buy anything below 5k, I will not have to pay anything?

Price variations are huge at Yebhi. Currently prices have been jacked up so high that the discount vouchers are a joke. So not keen on buying anything at least for now. Also, not shipping after accepting order is not done... all time in selecting and paying and all is just wasted. But on the positive side, got some decent stuff also from them at good price. And customer service has not been bad either.

Obviously Yebhi.

Very true. I still know many who are dissatisfied but are still too intert to fill out a form or 2 for number portability. And who asked them to pay so much for 3G? Why burden 2G subscribers for 3G expenses? Airtel is the biggest scoundrel of them all. And its subscribers help it to remain so and fill their kitty.

Bad. Both my phones - Docomo and RGSM have lifetime tariff validity. Doco lifetime validity is 1p/s... which they cannot/should not/better not change. Assuming that these operators want to increase tariff, if these existing tariffs cannot be changed, I guess they can increase tariffs only for new customers?

Even I got a defective article. Sent it back. Had ordered a bag, but after several days, the stats showed out of stock. Later stock was replenished, and it was available for purchase at a hiked up price. But still they refused to ship it and complete the order and instead offered refund or vouchers. Now the fun is previously I was told that these gift vouchers can be clubbed together (ie. their combined value can be used to make a purchase). Today they told me I can't do that and only one voucher can be used at a time, and I would have to pay balance amount. And no discount vouchers can be used for this. Bad show. Prices of products keep changing like stock prices.... in fact more so!

Ok, Tata Docomo strikes once again. My tariff is 1p/2s (local) using some voucher. Suddenly I noticed 2 instances where they charged 1p/s. On complaining they called me and told me its because they were landline numbers. True. But the plan clearly says 1p/2s to all local numbers. The guy tells me they have changed the plan and the tariff benifit will be applicable to other local mobile numbers only. And as a GOODWILL gesture he offered to credit the extra amount back to my account. Since they have suddenly changed their terms and conditions without informing subscribers in any way, this most certainly amounts to open cheating. Even on their website it clearly says 1p/2s to all local numbers (and this was true until now). Tata, how low are you going to go? You are almost down their with AIrHELL. Just keep going you will be there soon. Or perhaps thats not low enough for you?

What they need to do first is to stop cheating and looting. For those who don't know what I'm talking about, read multiple cases of open looting by searching for docomo and cheaters.

If the generator does a ups in then what is the use of such a ups; APC does not think or build products as per Indian power conditions or usage habits. It's circuits are more based on the American stable power supply system. Whereas Microtek products are more sturdier and built to last in Indian conditions. APC products are also over priced. Even an eight year old Microtek beats them hands down. This is a personal opinion based on my experience and others may have had a different experience. Lets discuss further if you so wish, otherwise I feel there is no need to prolong this discussion. Nahhh... I don't have "material" to discuss it further. My comments were based on what a very reliable and qualified friend told me. And also thru personal experience with 1 APC UPS. I haven't gone inside either APC or Microtek, nor have i used a Microtek UPS so can't comment further. Unless we can compare the output waveform from both, in all situations, I guess we can't determine which one wins.

Well, a friend of mine who is an Elect Engg and also had a repair shop for such stuff, after going into the innards of whats in the market says that hes not come across anything that filters better than APCs. I do not know if he specifically compared it with Microteks though. My personal experience with my APC has also been very good. In fact its going strong since last 5+ years with nary a hiccup. Sometimes it runs off the inverter, but never thru a generator. It may be the generator that did your APC in... or just maybe Microtek makes better stuff now... Thats exactly the problem with stuff that has lasted so long - much of that stuff that was bought years ago seems to last real long. But buy the same brand today, and one very likely meets with disappointment. Typical eg. is IFB. So plenty of room to skid on the decision... Anyway, will check out Maharaja and Singer soon. I though there might be better deals online... like maybe form Letsbuy. Need time to go to shops to compare prices, which I may not have, as its required urgently... Thanks a heap again for the inputs. Unless I'm mistaken, Morphy Richards service (if not the products themselves) are babies of Bajaj, which does not have a great reputation. Our experience with their products would also keep me away. Also, I'v been hearing that home grown brands like Inalsa, Maharaja, etc., are better bets in this sector. But will check it out anyway at night. Thanks a lot. Any other inputs/experiences from anybody else are most appreciated.