Feb 07, 2007 11:57 AM
4311 Views
(Updated Feb 07, 2007 12:02 PM)
If someone even whispers HSBC in the middle of the night, I will jump out of my bed screaming. This is the level of anxiety and panic I have gone through since the first ever (and only) transaction I made using my HSBC Credit Card. It was the transaction I made on that fateful day due to which I lost faith in the convenience of using plastic money. It wasn’t the first time I have used a credit card to pay my bills so it’s not like I was trudging this dreary lane. Lemme begin on how it all started. I got a call from a HSBC agent one day that they are offering a “Lifetime Free Credit Card”.
Although I already had SBI and ICICI Credit Cards I thought one more card would do me no harm (aah!! the lack of prudence). So, I went ahead and asked her how I should go about it. On hearing this, the tone of her voice changed from that of the hopeful to that of the ecstatic. She rapidly told me the about the papers I needed to submit to an agent who would collect them from my office. Saying this she ended the conversation on a happy note by saying.
Have a Pleasant Day Sir. Before I could have a chance to contemplate, I received a phone call from one Mr.HSBC that he has come to collect my documents and that he was already at my office gate!!!! (I thought, what FASHT SIR-vice!!!). I told the guy I still needed around 5 minutes to get the print-outs and he said he would wait. I took all the documents needed and went towards the main gate (pretty loooong walk) to meet Mr.HSBC. I went there and gave him a call and suddenly I noticed an anxious face looking around for the caller. Finally, our eyes met (I’m straight, he he) and I confirmed his identity.
He readily took my documents and made me sign in more than a few places (this is the most painful part of applying for a credit card, the agents insist that all the signatures are exactly the same….come on guys, I’m human). Then he filled in my details as I enquired about when I would be getting my card to which he replied – NOT MORE THAN 10 WURRKING DAYS. I returned back to my office and everything seemed fine.
After around 25 days (WURRKING and NON-WURRKING), I finally received my card. I opened it with utmost anticipation thinking about how the card would look? What would be the credit limit? Etc. Then I was in for a rude shock!!! My Credit Limit was much lower than what Miss. Telephone had promised. It was infact lower than my salary!!! (I never knew there was life below that level also 8-|).
Immediately, I gave a call to their customer care centre and asked them for clarification about the Card Limit to which they replied (nonchalantly) that it wasn’t concerned with them. They said if I had any complaints I need to e-mail them at some address which they later provided. I mailed the responsible people enquiring about the same and they replied telling me to use the card for some time and that the card limit will be increased in around 6 months. I was fuming but I had no choice. I let the issue rest
On 25th November, 2006 I needed (unfortunately) to make a transaction using my HSBC card (eeep!!!). Since I thought I could not repay the full amount in the following month I called their call centre on 27th Nov, 2006 and requested them to convert the amount to 6 months EMI. What happened next is not for the weak hearted. Please read at your own discretion.
The call-centre agent told me that she’s taken a request and asked me to call back after 4 working days and confirm the same. I called back on 2nd Dec, 2006. Another call centre agent, Sangeetha (I started noting down names :-)) told me that my amount has been converted successfully to 12 MONTHS EMI !!!! I was furious. I told her that I had requested for 6 months EMI scheme and not 12 months. She said that the request has been made for 12 months scheme. She argued for 5 minutes. Then she told me that they will have to check out through taped conversations as to whose mistake it was; mine or theirs. (So, clearly it was a war now.) And again I was asked to call up after 4 working days (damn!!!!)
Promptly I called them back on 7th Dec, 2006. And this time I demanded to speak to a manager. After another argument and a lot of hesitation the call-centre agent reluctantly connected me to their manager, Verisa. Verisa told me that as per Sangeetha’s request they had verified whose mistake it was (about the wrong EMI conversion) and they had found out that it was not my mistake (PHEW!!!). She told me that a formal complaint has been made and asked me to ignore any statement I have received in the meantime and also asked me to call back after 4 working days to confirm the amount I need to pay in December(I hate the phrase 4 working days….absolutely hate it).
On 9th December, 2006, I got a statement which said I have to pay around 2800 bucks including the EMI conversion fee and blah blah… I did as I was instructed and ignored the statement. I called back on 12th Dec, 2006, (as requested). Preethi told me that I needn’t pay any amount in December and I can start paying my installments (which had finally been converted for 6 months!!) from January. I felt blessed….
On 10th Jan I received my January statement and was shocked to see the billed amount. They had not only billed my monthly installment but also the 2800 rupees which I was told to ignore in December as amount due!!!
I thought I will take a plane and crash it right into HSBC headquarters in Honkong (or Shanghai, wherever it is). I felt anguish for the first time in my life. It was agony, mental pain and it was the only transaction I had made on my HSBC card.I called them back on 12th. Another request was taken. Was again asked to call back after 4 working days (L). I called back on 17th. Matilda (interesting names they have down there) told me that request has been raised but they haven’t received any update from the manager. I was again asked to call back after 4 working days. I was dejected with life by then, but I did call them back on 20th Jan.
Sharath told me to give them some more time. I called back on 24th and finally an agent calculated and told me to ignore the January statement (!!!!!) and to pay only the installment and not the amount due in December. He also promised me that everything will be taken care of in the February statement. I have been waiting for the February statement with bated breath since then and somehow I have a feeling this saga is going to continue.HSBC and me now share an eternal bond and that too with only one transaction made. Beautiful relationship isn’t it!!!!
