Poor customer service

<p>On 20-03-2017, I went to the ABSA BR in the Kolonade, Pretoria. I was assisted by Shanel Louw. I needed a replacement card because my chip was damaged. This was the 3rd replacement, due to damage chip. I never paid for the other replacement cards, since the card was damaged due to ABSA. All the previous consultants never charged me for a replacement card because of damaged chip. Shanel however insisted that I should pay a fee of R120 and told me that ABSA is not responsible for wear and tear. After a back and forth with her, I approached the branch manager. She was so shocked to hear that Shanel wanted to charge me for a damaged card, which was damaged due to Absa. The manager was so helpful and provided me with the proper service I seeked. My account would of been closed had it not been for this branch manager. My point is why did my query have to escalate like this? had the consultant provided me with proper service and assistance instead of fighting with an irrate client, the matter would not have escalated like this. Futhermore when I opt to close the account, Shanel did not even try to save a client for ABSA she was more than happy to assit in the closure. In the many years of banking with Absa, never did I receive such bad client service.</p>