SimonB

Tourists and locals in South Africa during the Fifa 2010 World Cup Soccer?  BEWARE OF STANDARD BANK!

“Simpler, Better, Faster” I think not!

Tourists and locals in South Africa who use Standard Bank Credit Card Processing machines or who’s transactions process through Standard Bank should be aware that some of their purchases will only reflect and be debited a few months after the purchase! This is partly because some local stores are over worked and process the transactions late but also because Standard Bank seems unable to keep up with the work load and process the transactions late.

Whether or not this late billing is intentional is debatable.  During the 1995 World Cup Rugby, Standard Bank was also linked to a similar “banking bug”.  So the question begs to be asked, is this white collar crime or is this just a bug in the system? If it’s a bug, why are clients made to pay for Banking bugs?

As an example of the current “bug”, On 3 January 2010 I purchased a Tent and some other small items from Game Stores in Tzaneen while on vacation. The transaction was only “completed” on 26 April 2010 when the funds left my account.  Both Game and Absa, the bank that Game uses have let me know in writing that they processed the funds in January and that they never debited my account in April, however my account was debited in April and not in January. So who debited my account in April?

Absa writes:

“I confirmed with our IT dept, that the transaction never settled on 26/04/2010 on our side.  It could be that STANDARD BANK only release the file on 26/04/2010?  That is why there is a late settlement on the cardholder’s account.” Martie Mentz  (Absa Bank Corporate Admin Assistant)

If Game and Absa denies debiting the money from my account in April then this April transaction is an unauthorized transaction? So I emailed Standard Bank.  Their response to my request for help and to reverse the unauthorized transaction. They (Standard Bank) first try to point fingers at both Game and Absa bank and then when the evidence comes back that shows that both Game and Absa are not the guilty party they then send me this response.

“The amount in question was never deducted from your card and due to this you are liable for this amount.”

Denise Singh
Manager: Executive & Escalated Complaints Resolution
Office of the Chief Executive, Customer Contact Centre
Standard Bank of South Africa

Since when can a bank process a transaction 4 months after the purchase and then hold the account holder liable for the transaction?  Surely there is a legal cut off date for processing these type of transactions?

In December/January most people have bonuses, this additional money is used to purchase luxury / much needed items while on vacation. Now Standard Bank debits the funds months after the purchase when funds are low and credit cards are maxed and then lump heavy fee’s onto the late transaction. This does not seem legal or fair.

Standard Bank’s Denise Signh follows up with this comment, regarding my complaint:

“As a gesture of goodwill I can reverse the charges pertaining to this transaction.”

So Standard Bank holds account holders liable for banking errors and then think that “Goodwill” is reversing the heavy banking fee’s lumped onto this late billing? HUH??  Is this how you treat your long standing loyal customers?

Looking at Standard Bank slogans - I think it’s time for another change.

1. ‘Simpler, Better Faster’ I think not!
2. ‘Inspired. Motivated. Involved.’ nope not this one either.
3. ‘Moving Forward’ HUH? Nope it’s more like “Billing Backwards!”

So when visiting South African during 2010 or if you are a loyal Standard Bank client. All I can say is.

LET THE BUYER BEWARE!

As for me, I think it’s time to start “Moving forward” to another bank.  @FNB here I come..

How to win an iPhone4

1. Download or don’t download one of my new premium Sign Language Mobi Guides (Exclusive to Nokia touchscreen handsets)
2. RT this message: RT and you could win an #iPhone4 - http://tiny.cc/rxbft *Terms Apply #HandSigns
   
3. Blog about this competition everywhere to get more points. Don’t blog to get less points
4. Sit back and wait..

It’s that simple. But what’s the catch I hear you ask.

1. I will only give away an iPhone4 when I reach 10000 premium downloads/sales in ovi store.
2. The competition is valid for 3months, from date of this blog.
3. If I don’t reach 10000 downloads then I don’t give away an iPhone4.
4. If I get more than 10000 downloads, then I give 1 iPhone4 away for every 10000 downloads
5. If I can’t get my hands on an iPhone4, I reserve the right to give an alternative prize.

My last free guide in Ovi Store clocked 16300 downloads in less than 3months. Lets see if we can get the premium sales that high aswel, using Twitter, social media and a shiny new iPhone4.

So what are you waiting for –> Let the downloads and RTing begin.

Legal Terms:

1. This promotion is free to enter.  You do NOT need to download my app to win.
2. This is a global promotion - Spread the word and who knows you might win.
3. Contractors and their family of AppCRAFT cannot win. Sorry guys
4. The iPhone4 prize handset will be ordered and shipped using any online store I deem fit to get the handset delivered to the winner fastest. I cannot guarantee that the handset purchased will work in every country and you may need to jailbreak it. If you want to take the chance, enter this competition.  Handsets purchased in this way have no guarantee and Apple will not honour the International warranty.
5. This promotion is valid until 8 September 2010 and prizes are only given away if my premium guides clock 10000 downloads in Ovi.  So the more downloads the better.
6. I reserve the right to give the prize winner cash or alternative prize if I cannot legally get my hands on an iPhone4 or if they are out of stock.

Ps. I live in South Africa, so getting the new iPhone4 is going to take some doing.  What this means is that I will buy a handset from an Online store and ship it to the winner when it becomes available online.  I cannot take responsibility for the handset shipped as all I am doing is purchasing the handset via the online retailer, the handset goes directly to the winner.