ABSA's charges are designed to keep individuals in a perpetual state of debt!

I discovered an unusual charge on my ABSA account. I went into the bank to query this only to learn it was ABSA themselves that charged me with the amount citing that I had gone into arrears on my cheque account and that it was a breach and hence therefore the charge.

It was astounding to me that ABSA's charge far outweighed the severity of the breach since I managed to sort the arrears amount out within a matter of 24 if not 48 hours! There was no compromise offered from Zanele, the very rude and obnoxious general enquiries agent that was supposed to be assisting me that also took ages for the poor customer services agent in the branch(who was very accommodating and friendly) to even get a hold of on the phone.

The charge came about because ABSA allowed a debit to run from the account which placed the account in arrears, sure it was my fault that there was not enough money in the account but instead of returning the debit they allowed the debit to go off, either way there would have been charges (because they also charge for returned debit orders) so it was a situation of damned if you do and damned if you don't. I am convinced it was my swift action in getting the account up to date that allowed for the debit order to go through and not return in the end and not ABSA's supposed policy of "allowing the debit to go through" as was explained to me.

ABSA did not even accrue the slightest bit of interest on the amount I was in arrears for but saw it fit to charge me none the less because they could not charge me for a returned debit, because there was not returned debit, they jumped to terms and conditions to find a reason to charge me and then have the audacity to explain to me that it is their policy to allow the debit order to go through.... ***!

I used to work for ABSA and have been a longstanding client with them having taken a personal loan which I paid off, financed a vehicle and even my mortgage bond all with them, all my accounts are held and serviced by them, what do I have to show for it? A long history of being overcharged!!!!

That coupled with the straw that broke the camel's (my) back in respect of the service I was given by Zanele from the general enquiries line today ABSA has just LOST a customer for life who was also one their loyal and vocal supporters for years. Lesson learned: loyalty to any public brand means NOTHING. Sorry sir it's just business, okay well I'll take my business elsewhere then!

It is my suggestion that ABSA review both it's policies on charges and customer service if they wish to have any hope of keeping client's going into the future. Furthermore the charge incurred almost lead to the return for another debit order due to go off my account for which I would have been charged again. It is my strong belief and opinion that ABSA's charges are designed to do one thing and one thing only... keep struggling individuals in a perpetual state of debt!

Thank you for NOTHING ABSA because I have paid you thousands in service charges over the years.