Originally Posted by
yosithezet
Unlocking a phone can be done on the spot. I unlocked my phone by finding the code on the 'net. He should have the concierge contact the shop to see what is going on if the shop isn't open when he goes back. If there really is an issue, the ire raised by the concierge in Hindi will be far more effective than what your friend will be able to inspire through a heated English conversation.
A lot of Indian cell phone shops will send a phone to another store/person to be unlocked for whatever reason or lack thereof, even after they say they can do something like unlock the phone.
You are right that a hot-sounding discussion in the local language is likely to yield results.
I've had things "disappear" with shopkeepers -- usually it's the "we're waiting for ___ to bring it here" -- but so far I've fortunately always eventually gotten what was mine returned.