SBI Credit Card

It was just a regular day at office when the office boy came and informed me someone from SBI was waiting for me at the reception. I was no doubt a bit confused as there had never been any dealing with SBI on my part. As I went to the reception, I was met with a smile and an apologetic look, some clarifications thrown in for interrupting my work and explaining hastily that the meeting would only take a few minutes and be for my convenience. A bit irritated at this uncalled for intrusion and disturbance, I agreed to talk to the person and see exactly what this was about. I was informed that SBI was giving me a Gold Card on a zero-rental basis and free for lifetime option. Not sure what this was all about I asked the person as to why had SBI chosen me all of a sudden , as I had never had any dealings with them in the past and was pretty much satisfied with my relationship with one of the other leading names in the banking sector. I was promptly informed that this was a purely complimentary gift from the bank’s side and there would be no annual charges whatsoever for the entire life. This seemed pretty much OK, as I was not really being burdened with any additional charges and costs that I dint really need to pay. I agreed to go ahead with the same and the fellow was reasonably thankful. He left me with lots of “thank you s” and a big smile this time. Few questions here and there and some documents later, the Gold Card arrived at my residence within 3 weeks of the meeting and was kept aside in one of the cupboards. As I was used to my regular card of the other bank, I did not really remember about the SBI card and it was kind of forgotten. A month passed off and one day as I returned home from work, I saw this envelope lying on my table, with SBI printed in big bold letters. Suddenly I remembered that I was a customer of SBI after all and opened the envelope, and yes, as you have pretty much guessed by now, there lay inside a neatly explained bill of my SBI Gold Card, one that had never ever been used. All the rentals and other charges had been very nicely explained in the various columns and I could see the SBI people had actually done a lot of home work to fabricate charges and amounts out of thin air. Really irritated and wanting to know what this was all about, I called up the 24-hour Customer Service number mentioned on the slip. Crossing the music and a horrible menu, I finally managed t o reach someone, only to be put on hold, without even a good evening or a permission from my side to put me on hold. The music kept playing on and on and finally after about being on hold for 15 minutes, I decided to end the call. But this was an issue I wanted to clear as soon as possible, so I called up again, and this time the call was answered by a guy after about 15 minutes again. By then I had really lost my mind, so I was a bit grumpy and asked the executive how he would explain the bill sent to me when there was never any spend. I explained the meeting and what all had been promised, but to my horror the guy seemed to be not so fluent in English, so I was requested to repeat again, “ Aap dobara bataa saktey hain aapki kya baat hui” ??? I was not interested any more in talking to such an exec and asked for the manager. Excuses thrown in and explanations given…” Mam you please tell me, I can help you, the manager is not available and the call cannot be transferred.” Ok, if you can’t transfer the call give me the direct number, I will call him.. “Sorry mam, he is not around at the moment and he does no thave a cell phone.” You bet he doesn’t. I was least interested in calling them again or paying the so-called bill. So I never gave it a second thought. Days went by and 1 or 2 weeks later, there was another correspondence from SBI, reminding me of my payment date. Imagine !!! this was it… I called up the Customer Care, expecting to be put on hold for a minimum of 15 minutes and even after that, being shuffled from one person to another, and my expectation was not wrong. But this time, I had made a conscious effort of not being rude, as they were not even worth it. Another guy picked the call, the voice reeking of boredom and lack of interest. I gave my card number and details and asked him to cancel the card. This was something that made him sit up straight in his chair and put his training to work. Questions about what complaints did I have, all charges will be nullified, no rental will be charged again, a complimentary add-on card will be sent and blah-blah-blah…. Was I interested? That too getting another add-on card…. Oh please !! I know how to be adamant, so this time the ordeal was ended once and for all and I got the card cancelled. Happy over my victory, I was triumphant that such a loser Card company had finally had to give in to my demand. I was a happy person again and tore off the card to shreds with a winning smile. Life was good and hassle-free but then, how long can it be. Next month, another bill another statement and yes, another 15 minute wait after that. This time I heard the music, heard the shuffling from one person to another and finally remembered to remember the name of the person I spoke to. The company would hear from the lawyers soon and I would sue them if they ever again happened to send me another non-existent bill. That was the winning blow I think, because after that, I have never received a statement or a call from SBI. Am I happy? You bet… and trust me , if you want to remain happy and keep that smile intact, please stay away ….. or else, prepare to see the bills and imagine how u might have spent it !!!