Apr 14, 2008 01:37 PM
2593 Views
SBI Card came to my possession after the SBI branch manager with whom I have an account nudged me into it, perhaps as a part of his target! Well the first year was free anyway and this is supposed to be the speacial "SBI Doctors card"! I assure you, it is just another SBI Card, as we shall see. The first problem is that they do not have convenient methor to pay their bills.No drop boxes no other options. The second, is their stipulation that payments by cheque should be deposited four working days ahead of due date! Ridiculous rule but I have noticed HDFC Bank also falling into this group!
From the first day the company charged a small fee every month(about Rs.75 including the service tak etc) which was supposed to take care of the outstanding balance on the card, in case of my DEATH! Well I kept telling the folks at SBI cards that I dont need this and I did not sign up for this facility and kept paying only the actual charges incurred by me on the card account. Guess what, these good folks kept applying finance charges for the unpaid insurance premium which takes care of outstanding after my death!
My emails to the company elicits replies which make you wonder whether a human being has read your mail at all? It is just cut and paste job with template answers which are in a brochure or website. Well, the bottom line is I could not get this problem resolved. In the meanwhile the SBI card people sold me an insurance(covers accident and major illness perhaps) costing Rs.2570/- valid for three years.
Frustrated, I once wrote in the mail "if you can't resolve the problem, terminate the account". The SBI cards promptly terminated the card and promptly informed me by mail! And you must bear in mind, this great company is run with collaboration with GE!
Now the interesting part is, the bills continued every month! Naturally, I ignored them. Then phone calls. When I explained to them that I have no card account after this termination, they say the account is still active. Apparently this refers to the account in their computers, which can be viewed on the web. So they promised to send a replacement card, and there was a letter saying the card will be delivered ina week. NO CARD. Bills continue.
There is no effective way to communicate with the higher ups in the company because the addresses given by the company are all post box numbers. So you have no repreive from the hare brained clerks.May be they all laugh to themselves at us customers that we hold, of all an SBI card!
The latest is that I have sent a very threatening letter to SBI card asking them to stop bothering me with these bills or to face legal action. I am waiting for the next month's mail!
Two things remember, they are not smart. They are not efficient. And in the call centre, the people are arrogant and will irritate you.
My advice is Dont touch this product with a barge pole even if given free for life.
