I have a long standing hatred of my bank. (I know, why don't I just close my account and move to a different bank. Mostly just inertia, plus after talking with friends, I just doubt that there is anything any better out there.)
Anyway, the bank decided that I needed another credit card, so they sent me one. Not asked if I would like to apply for one. Just sent it to me. Moreover, this card shares the credit limit of my other card, so it has absolutely no positives for me and only negatives (an additional annual charge and another chance that I might lose it and get money stolen from me). So yesterday I was out and tried to take it to the new branch at the Jebel Roundabout so that they could cancel it. Of course, and why I expected otherwise, I don't know, they wouldn't do it. Instead, I have to go the the Khalifa Street branch, because... well actually I have no idea why. The only sensible answer would be if all the branches are independently owned and operated.
This blog began as a description of our life in Al Ain, UAE (United Arab Emirates). Brn worked at the UAE University Libraries Deanship for three years and Bss homeschooled our four children, D, B, P, and O. After returning to the the USA for five years, we are living in Abu Dhabi now.
Showing posts with label bank. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bank. Show all posts
2007/05/03
2005/06/29
The Bank and Customer Service
I set up an account last week at the bank that the university picked out so that my pay can be directly deposited. I have no idea if this bank is typical (I would guess that it is), but the concept of customer service is pretty lacking.
First, let's start with the hours. A lot of places close in the middle of the day here when it gets so hot. But then they open back up in the evening when it has cooled down. The bank is open from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Period. So, if you want to go to the bank, you have to take time off from work. They are open on Thursday (remember, the work week is Saturday-Wednesday, so Thursday here = Saturday in USA) from 8:00 to 12:00, so if you don't want to or can't take time off from work, you can always wait til the end of the week.
Next, when creating your account, the bank will not tell you about ATM cards, checks, applying for credit cards, internet access or anything else unless you ask. When you do get an ATM card, you have to go to the bank to pick it up, which means you have to take time off from work or wait until the end of the week. You also have to go to another part of the building to pick up your PIN. Neither of these places asked me for any ID before they handed me this stuff. This was also true the two times I made a counter withdrawl from my account. I had to sign the form in three places, but did not have to show ID.
So when I picked up my ATM card and PIN, the bank employee told me that the card would not work until about 4:00 that afternoon (I loved the precision of "about 4:00"). So that evening I went to the mall to buy a couple of things for the house and tried several ATMs. Always got the message, "Your card is invalid". I figured, maybe "about 4:00" means several hours after 4:00, so I tried every hour until after 8:00, always without luck.
I also tried calling the 800 number on the card, and got the usual "all lines are busy" message that I have heard in America so often. However, after about a minute on hold with teeth-grindingly bad on-hold music, I get the message that all agents are still busy, so I should call back later. Click. I finally got through about 8:00, and the very helpful agent told me that my card was not connected to my account, so I needed to talk to the branch where I got it tomorrow.
Tomorrow comes, I visit the branch and have to demonstrate to the employee that it doesn't work. He makes a change in the computer, calls a number, says now it should work. Nope. I go back in, he makes another change in the computer, makes another call, and now I am assured that tomorrow (which is today) at 8:30 it will work. So in 24 minutes, I can take time off to test this out (and no doubt be disappointed again) and then try again to get them to fix it, or I can wait until after work today or tomorrow, and then not be able to tell them until tomorrow that it still isn't working.
I'd tell you the name of the bank, but I'm not sure about the law of defamation, slander, or libel, so I'm a little hesitant to name it. However, if you do a Google.ae search for the bank's slogan, "The Bank That Cares", you will probably be able to figure it out.
First, let's start with the hours. A lot of places close in the middle of the day here when it gets so hot. But then they open back up in the evening when it has cooled down. The bank is open from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Period. So, if you want to go to the bank, you have to take time off from work. They are open on Thursday (remember, the work week is Saturday-Wednesday, so Thursday here = Saturday in USA) from 8:00 to 12:00, so if you don't want to or can't take time off from work, you can always wait til the end of the week.
Next, when creating your account, the bank will not tell you about ATM cards, checks, applying for credit cards, internet access or anything else unless you ask. When you do get an ATM card, you have to go to the bank to pick it up, which means you have to take time off from work or wait until the end of the week. You also have to go to another part of the building to pick up your PIN. Neither of these places asked me for any ID before they handed me this stuff. This was also true the two times I made a counter withdrawl from my account. I had to sign the form in three places, but did not have to show ID.
So when I picked up my ATM card and PIN, the bank employee told me that the card would not work until about 4:00 that afternoon (I loved the precision of "about 4:00"). So that evening I went to the mall to buy a couple of things for the house and tried several ATMs. Always got the message, "Your card is invalid". I figured, maybe "about 4:00" means several hours after 4:00, so I tried every hour until after 8:00, always without luck.
I also tried calling the 800 number on the card, and got the usual "all lines are busy" message that I have heard in America so often. However, after about a minute on hold with teeth-grindingly bad on-hold music, I get the message that all agents are still busy, so I should call back later. Click. I finally got through about 8:00, and the very helpful agent told me that my card was not connected to my account, so I needed to talk to the branch where I got it tomorrow.
Tomorrow comes, I visit the branch and have to demonstrate to the employee that it doesn't work. He makes a change in the computer, calls a number, says now it should work. Nope. I go back in, he makes another change in the computer, makes another call, and now I am assured that tomorrow (which is today) at 8:30 it will work. So in 24 minutes, I can take time off to test this out (and no doubt be disappointed again) and then try again to get them to fix it, or I can wait until after work today or tomorrow, and then not be able to tell them until tomorrow that it still isn't working.
I'd tell you the name of the bank, but I'm not sure about the law of defamation, slander, or libel, so I'm a little hesitant to name it. However, if you do a Google.ae search for the bank's slogan, "The Bank That Cares", you will probably be able to figure it out.
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