Robertson Branch / ABSA Call Centre: "Back and Forth" game

Dear ABSA,

In the last month:

I went into Robertson ABSA to request monthly statements from Aug 2017 to date. Advised to register for Internet Banking, as it would be much cheaper to obtain these there. Phoned ABSA Customer Care, they said NO. Statements that far back has be collected from a branch. So I'm again BACK to the queues at the branch to get this info. Again at the Enquiries Counter, I am referred back to Internet Banking and Call Centre. (Thankfully a knowledgeable lady overheard our conversation and stepped in to inform the UNINFORMED staff member, that statements dating that far back are not available via Internet Banking. I then got these at the branch).

Phoned Call Centre again now, to obtain the "power of attorney" documents I have on my brother's account. Call Centre is unable to help. I am referred back to the queues at an ABSA branch. Dejavu!

Please advise what is the point of your Customer Call Centre, if customers are anyway referred back to the branch to (potentially uninformed) staff?

It don't know what to do now and I am agitated. I don't have time standing in your Bank queues - yet again. I don't have airtime to waste on calls to your Call Centre which refers me back to the branch. Oh gosh, and if I'm assisted by another uninformed staff member at the Robertson branch... will I be asked to contact the Call Centre again??

It seems like a "pass the buck" game, which I really don't appreciate. It wastes my time AND yours! Please advise what effective course of action I should take to obtain this info. This seemingly "cat and mouse" game is unprofessional and unproductive for us both.

Hope to hear from you. Best wishes.