Couriered Debit Card dead on arrival

I opted to use Absa online - which I pay for - to request a new Debit card due to the previous one expiring. I opted to have the card couriered to me since I don't have time to stand for hours in an Absa branch. The card was couriered to me (that part works fine). Unfortunately, it doesnt work! I tried at a PoS and it was rejected, so I was left high and dry and had to beg a friend for money. I then tried at an ATM and could not draw any cash.

No directions/instructions/warnings etc in the letter accompanying the card. I I report the problem, including my desire to avoid coming in to a branch, only to receive a generic email in reply telling me, in the first line, to go directly to my nearest ABSA branch.

I should have known better - every time I try one of the online 'features' ABSA advertises, I end up having to come in to a branch were someone looks at my ID, taps on a computer for a few minutes and then that particular thing works. But no-one every compensates me for my time.

Poor form, ABSA. Time to move on.