Airtel starts looting customers in the name of SIM replacement.

725°

6200
79
Last Comment 2022-12-29

2021-08-14

Hi,
I'm from Chennai circle..
I’m using Airtel sim since more than 10 years now. But jio is my primary sim for data and calls for 4 years now. So I’m recharging airtel only for incoming calls and messages.

3 days back the airtel sim started showing no signal.. when I used in other mobile also same issue..
When I went to Airtel office to ask for solution today.. they said that the sim would have damaged.
I replied that it’s been more than a year I’m using the sim after switching to new phone..how could that happen?
Airtel cc said that sim would have damaged during the software update..

But I didn’t even update my phone..it’s as it is out of the box..
Fed up with their replies.. I purchased a replacement sim for ₹ 25/-

I can also see many users with the same sim replacement issue in the airtel office.

I think it’s their new strategy to charge customers who are using their network only for incoming calls and messages..

I’m slowly switching my family airtel numbers to BSNL.. it’s having PV397 Plan giving 300 days validity and 2 months outgoing (Ofcourse no use to me)

78 Comments |

39 Dimers

Sort By

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860600

sitapodila227

2021-08-14

Link Copied

For me they took 75rs

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860783

sujith8786

2021-08-14

Link Copied

That’s too costly.
Here it’s flat 25

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860603

Common-man

2021-08-14

Link Copied

href="https://www.imagevenue.com/ME...2N" target="_blank">

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860605

MrKool_JJ

2021-08-14

Link Copied

Iski ***** to... Iska game bajana padega ab cry

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860612

Common-man

2021-08-14

Link Copied

Some years back i was also charged the same don’t remember why , fought those rascals on the desk , got 2 gb netpack then😉

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860658

kukdookoo

2021-08-14

Link Copied

unko bolo chahe 100 rs. lelo par receipt dedo. kabhi nahi denge kyuki sim replacement free hota ha store vale jitne marzi le le aapse.

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860721

tappukepapa

2021-08-14

Link Copied

Jio mein bhi sim replacement 25rs mein hota hai, lekin receipt milti hai email par.

View 1 more reply

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860684

athulx

2021-08-14

Link Copied

anyone facing this issue?
when someone calls on my airtel number, it responds as my number is busy
though I was not on call
I checked with my family, they also saw this issue on my number

is this happening to anyone else anytime?

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860749

Cody

2021-08-14

Link Copied

then u or your phone might be using data, it’s the same issue from their GPRS days.

View 1 more reply

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860688

imujwal08383

2021-08-14

Link Copied

You have kept in 4g only mode ?

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860789

sujith8786

2021-08-14

Link Copied

No bro.. auto network selection..
But mostly it’ll be 2g or 3g..

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860727

Tekk

2021-08-14

Link Copied

I have replaced my 2 airtel sim cards ,(Two different stores).. but they didn’t charged anything..

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860746

Cody

2021-08-14

Link Copied

Yes Airtel SIM malfunctions regularly, I have replaced many.

BTW that Software Update reason was very foolish and doesn’t have any logic.

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860795

sujith8786

2021-08-14

Link Copied

Yes.. they just give lame reasons

View 5 more replies

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860768

saymyname78

2021-08-14

Link Copied

25 is very nominal charges .

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860798

sujith8786

2021-08-14

Link Copied

It's not about the cost bro... It's the way they purposely do it to extract money...

View 10 more replies

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860775

phoenix1386

2021-08-14

Link Copied

@sujith8786 genuine question for you, have you never had any electronic item die on you?

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860803

andromeda

2021-08-14

Link Copied

For most users, sim card is just a plastic card which has some shiny copper pieces stuck on one side so as to not to attract unwanted attention

View 7 more replies

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860853

vasanth_ece

2021-08-14

Link Copied

I had same issue in 2018.went to airtel store they said 4g sim is damaged and they changed.No charge smile

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860909

still_guessing

2021-08-14

Link Copied

….Now we have 2 players in market and some guys are crying….

…what will happen if there is only one player?…

…There is nothing like free lunch…innocent tax payers pay for the freeloaders….it happens and it will happen….

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860944

sujith8786

2021-08-14

Link Copied

True that..
And whatever I spend for my family.. I have to earn..and also pay tax for it..no govt feeds our families..
And yes monopoly should never be encouraged

View 2 more replies

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860970

Mohitsingla

2021-08-14

Link Copied

Sim replacement kai liye owner ka jana jruri hai?.

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7860986

B3A5T

2021-08-14

Link Copied

Vi replaced the SIM free for me.
But the problem isn’t fully solved yet.

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7861099

sujith8786

2021-08-14

Link Copied

What’s the problem bro?
If you can share..many dimers will provide solutions or suggestions

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7861127

phoenix1386

2021-08-14

Link Copied

"@sujith8786":https://www.desidime.com/users/1...19 SIM cards can die. Anytime. Even brand new ones. I have seen Airtel guy give me a replacement SIM and when he tries to scan it, some error comes and he throws the card away, picks another. So that means there was some error in the coding of that SIM as well, we haven't yet touched the physical SIM. SIM is like that. Gone are the days when SIM used to be very reliable, and that is again because of the size as well. Super small sized cards.. manufacturing tolerances can create issues. SIM card dying is never a network's fault. It is never a customer's fault (unless they were fooling around with it). SIM card dying is just another electronic item dying. Don't search for conspiracies where there are none.. If you really want to avoid this hassle, buy an iPhone or a Samsung phone with eSIM capability. You will find that the conspiracies will die.

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7861132

vijkap201

2021-08-14

Link Copied

Bhai, jiska ghar jalta hai wahi janta hai… sad toungueout

View 3 more replies

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7861171

botlike

2021-08-14

Link Copied

Airtel simcards often have this issue they said short circuit in SIM

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7866238

archat68831

2021-08-17

Link Copied

I just replaced my SIM yesterday in Delhi, they didn’t charge me anything.

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7866644

M.MAHI

2021-08-17

Link Copied

Time to switch Esim ?

Hope Android Phone manufacturers start this trend too

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7867347

sujith8786

2021-08-18

Link Copied

Not very soon bro..

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7867583

benh

2021-08-18

Link Copied

Airtel Sim replacement is free if it is due to faulty SIM.

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7867745

dictator

2021-08-18

Link Copied

Same happened with me and they charged nothing.

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7868278

Luciferofhell

2021-08-18

Link Copied

This problem is happening with nearly everyone. I also face d this issue few month ago in every sim in my home. Loot machi hai 😅

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7869490

ramadesidime

2021-08-19

Link Copied

Same happened with me and they charged Rs25.
I also received the SMS to pay Rs25.

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7948043

geni

2021-09-22

Link Copied

Do sim owner has to compulsorily for sim replacement?

Any one can with sim can go?

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_7948183

LIMBO

2021-09-22

Link Copied

Yes to the first query. But there’s a possible workaround. 2 of my Airtel SIMs had stopped working at almost the same time. I was under the impression that both had been transferred to my name as a result of linking my Aadhaar but only 1 of them was in my name. The Airtel agent didn’t check too closely and for the no. that was in my friend’s name obviously the verification failed. The fellow then suggested me to ask my friend who was in a different district at that time to apply for replacement at his place but to provide the details of the replacement SIM that he had already issued. I didn’t need to follow through as my friend returned after a few days.

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_8601319

Harish.agarwal

2022-07-30

Link Copied

Hyderabad circle - airtel store charged me 140rs for sim replacement. Ironically, they were 15 other customers came for sim replacement. Must have been a coincident that their sim stopped working at the same time.

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_8601549

sujith8786

2022-07-30

Link Copied

140 is too much bro.. sweat

Did you get any sms for 140₹ charged?

View 1 more reply

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_8601662

panchabhut

2022-07-30

Link Copied

I have replaced airtel postpaid sim 2 times in last 1 yr. Store did not charge anything. recv sms that 25 will be added to bill but it was not added.

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_8601785

sujith8786

2022-07-30

Link Copied

So this bonanza is only for prepaid users I suppose joy

View 3 more replies

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_8601808

syed786

2022-07-30

Link Copied

Only selected chips are blocked.. Only replacement is the solution... ( old ones being blocked : but not all)

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_8925713

saucap

2022-11-29

Link Copied

I am getting recorded calls on Airtel sim daily announcing that - "Aapka Sim Purana Ho Chuka Hai, Apne Nazdeeki Retailer se Apna SIM badalwaayein aur Service band hone se bachein" WTF.. It's not even 1 year that I had got sim replaced

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_8994751

melonmusk

2022-12-28

Link Copied

Has the customer support not been able to give any concrete help in this regard?
(Some VI agents who are aware and/or not kaamchor often are able to disable flash message advertising by their own network. And I assume, also have internal DND to stop messaging, calling a number for internal promotions.
Hopefully the other operators too give their outsourced or in-house CSD agents, some such tool).

For non IVR calls, at-least one can deflect or something.

But you mentioned that you are getting IVR calls, so😔 nothing like this would work.

View 1 more reply

https://www.desidime.com/discussions/airtel-starts-looting-customers-in-the-name-of-sim-replacement?page=1#post_8994689

shashismiles1

2022-12-28

Link Copied

Faced same issue today on my wifes number today. Airtel sim just spontaneously disabled. No sim was removed or added. The smart chips can last for decades ideally.

If the sim was damaged, I should expect a "no sim detected error".

Was charged Rs. 50 for replacement.

I suspect foul play as well. Or this could just be inferior hardware of airtel sims.

Will port her number out when the 1 year recharge is coming close to renewal.