Consumer recourse

Consumers need to be aware who to complain to regarding issues, and more importantly what is the right procedure of complaint and follow up. Following information is based on my interaction in solving consumer related issues.

Basic things one must do always for consumer related complaints:
1. Maintain relevant documentation.

2. Keep track of complaints to service providers. If complaint is written or email, save the communication somewhere for later use. If you have lodged complain by phone, be sure to take a reference no, and date of complaint and quote that reference no, date to regulatory authorities.

Insurance regulatory authority:

http://www.irdaindia.org/

Useful for problems like:
1. Non issue of policy, refund, or claim related problems

Procedure:
1. Send a letter by registered post. Include copy of relevant documents.

2. IRDA will send copy of complaint to insurance company, and send acknowledgment to you.

3. Insurance company will respond to IRDA, and if you have good case, solve the problem.

General Consumer Related Complaints:
http://core.nic.in/

This seems to be a general purpose all in one consumer complaint centre. I have tried it once for issue regarding quality of a food product. They promised to respond within 3 days. Well I got a response after a month. Due to the delay, the issue was forgotten or less relevant, and I have yet to follow up again.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
http://www.trai.gov.in/

Useful for problems like:
1. Any problem of consumer your your specific interest regarding quality, pricing, fairness etc of landline telephone, mobile telephony, TV cable, DTH etc services.

Procedure:
1. Send a letter by registered post. Include copy of relevant documents.

2. TRAI will send copy of complaint to service provider, and send acknowledgment to you.

3. Service provider will respond to IRDA, and if you have good case, solve the problem.