Before going to the main story let me introduce myself in a nutshell.
Name: Parimal Kumar Ray
Address -
Residence: AC-115, Salt Lake City, Kolkata - 700064
Office: Gandhi Colony Madhyamik Vidyalay (HS), Regent Park, Kolkata - 700040
Occupation: Assistant Teacher
Service Tenure: Since 1988 till date.
Contact Numbers -
1. 03323589835 (R)
2. 03324116669 (O)
3. 9475180120 (M)
PAN: ACHPR0235M
Fixed Deposit Account Number: 31536524550, Dated 13-12
Now we can enter into the story.
I needed a Credit Card for some on line transaction. As I always preferred services from Nationalized Sectors so SBI was my first option. Roaming different branches in Tollygunge area I finally discovered that South Kolkata bound Credit Card dealing personnels are available only in Jadavpur University Branch. I visited JU SBI Branch three times and get astonished that the rpresentative, Mr Prokash of SBI Card was very irregular to attend his duty. Trying for consecutive three days I got the person.
I was told that a minimum sum of Rs 20, 000/- is to be deposited as Fixed Deposit in SBI to get a SBI Credit Card. I also noticed an advertisement which in a tricky way had an expression that FD and Credit Card are coupled. As I was in need and had nothing to loose having a FD I opened one such with a sum of Rs. 25, 000/- on 13th December.
In the evening on that very day I received a verification telephone call on my mobile from their Kolkata office and another from Gurgaon after one or two days. They provided an Application Number (1335260000284) and an appeal for a processing time of 21 days by SMS. In 2nd week of January I tried to track the status of my application from SBI Card Website. An automated message was generated saying that it was then under process and I could further inquire into the same after 5 days if I wish so.
After listening three times to that "5 Day Story" I sent ultimately a mail on 23rd February for clarification. At the same time also knocked Mr Prokash stating the recent position. He then asked me to apply for it afresh. According to his suggestion I did it on February, 26th.By that time their Customer Service Executive Sajitha replied on 3rd March in connection to my mail, dated 23-02.
The message was - "At the outset, we regret to inform you that as on date, we would be unable to accept your application for the SBI card. We would like to assure you that our business decision for not accepting your application for the SBI card has been made in good faith and is certainly not indicative of your credit worthiness."
The game was repeated again with my second application having all verification formalities like address, phone, occupation etc etc providing an application number (1405960001699) and a 21 days processing time. After a gestation period of 21 days I checked the status on line. After having two "5 Day Stories" I finally got an automated message on 04-04.
It was - "We regret to inform you that your SBI Card Application could not be processed since it does not meet our policy. We thank you for your time."
Being a bonafied tax payer and an Indian Citizen I have every right to know the following facts -
1. What sort of problem was there to provide me a credit card?
2. What sort of business relation is there between SBI and SBI Card?
3. Why SBI displays such tricky advertisement that imposes a coupling between FD and SBI Card?
4. Why SBI Card uses the SBI Logo?
5. What criteria do SBI Card follow to issue a credit card?
6. Why SBI allows SBI Card Personnels to promote their business under SBI's premises?
This may be treated as press release for awareness of future applicants and to attract the attention of higher authorities.
CC to:
a> Honorable President, Government of India
b> Honorable Prime Minister, Government of India
c> Honorable Finance Minister, Government of India
d> Honorable Governor, Reserve Bank of India
e> Honorable Chairman, Consumer Forum
0 comments