Credit Card Stopped Working - NO explanation

<p>I have had an ABSA credit card for a few years now, so this was not a new card. It worked fine still on Friday 12 August, and on Saturday the card stopped working with the error message 'Authentication Failed'. The following Monday, the card declined again, and didn't even provide a 'credit card' as payment option. I immediately phoned the number at the back of the card. I phoned twice, and had conversations with 3 individuals about the problem. I was told every excuse from the card has expired (which it hasn't), there is nothing wrong with the card, there is something wrng with the chip... after which I was told to go in to an ABSA branch as they will know what to do. I communicated that this was extremely inconvenient.</p> <p> </p> <p>I went to the ABSA branch in Hercules the past Saturday. Nobody was able to tell me what was wrong with the card or why it stopped working. The card number wasn't even linked to my name and the system gave another card number when the card details were entered into the system. I was then told that they need to order a new credit card to see if this would solve the problem, but that ASBA cant order a card without charging me for the order. This is unacceptable! Now I need to mnitor my account and IF the charges are deducted frm my account, I should inform the branch so that they can try to refund me. I was also told that I should come back to collect the card somewhere this week. Ever heard of a courier? As ABSA's business hours are so inconvenient and people can't just 'take off work' to go and wait in an ABSA line.</p> <p> </p> <p>I have been with ABSA my whole life, and the quality of service in the past year has declined horribly. As a Platinum client, I also don't understand how ABSA could not find a way to fix this problem, without wasting my time and making me drive around for an error that they can't solve and that is not my problem. I have been without a working credit card for more than a week now. ABSA just seems not to care. I am seriously reconsidering ABSA as my bank of choice. The past year it always had to result in a fight with ABSA. Seriously!?</p>