As Reliance Digital retail stores deal with overwhelming demand for Reliance Industries' RJio welcome offer of free SIM, some third party telco vendors have begun charging as much as ₹500 for RJio SIMs to cash in on the demand, DNA reported citing at least three Jio subscribers from the NCR area.
After a huge marketing push marking Jio's debut, Reliance has seen high demand for its Jio service and its offer or free voice and cheap data services.
According to media reports, the company has recently begun taking online registrations to deliver SIM cards to customers' homes.
However, many subscribers are still keen on securing one in stores. One Jio subscriber told DNA that after failing to secure a SIM at a Reliance Digital outlet, he was able to buy a Jio SIM at a mobile store closer to his home in Ghaziabad.
"I was given a free Jio SIM because it was the first day of the store. However, I know that they are now charging ₹250 for it. Since, everything is done digitally, there is not document or receipt issued for the transaction," he says.
Reliance Jio has responded by saying it would take "strict action" against anyone indulging in "unethical practices," added the report.
In the weeks following its launch, Reliance began facing a problem of plenty with people queuing to buy a Jio sim with stores turning away potential customers unable to handle the rush of customers, according to media reports. Earlier this week, Reliance Jio said it had acquired 16 million subscribers since launching the service in August.