Terribly Slow and non-existent customer service- Loan Application

Just like so many others who have logged complaints against this bank, I too have received the same terrible service, service which is sadly quite typical of South African businesses. In general the problem we have in South Africa is that nobody wants to actually do their job and yet everyone wants to get paid, get bonuses and increases etc.

Anyway, I digress. My complaint is basically the following: For weeks in December 2021 I was contacted almost daily by representatives of African Bank encouraging me to apply for a loan. On 30 December 2021 I finally gave in and app**** as I figured I could use extra cash in the dreaded long January. I submitted my application online as well as all required documents.

By 7 January 2022 I still had not heard anything from the Bank. I happened to be passing a branch and noticed that it was relatively empty, so I went in to enquire about my application. The consultant could not assist as it was an online application, thus he was not able to view anything in this application, so he said. When I returned home, I phoned the help desk, another typical experience of South African poor service awaited. I held the line for an entire 25 minutes and 33 seconds before someone finally answered. Yes, I timed it.

The consultant on the phone gave me the samevresponse that I see many others on this platform have received, " Oh I will escalate your query to management and they will contact you within 24 hrs. Well, that was 3 days ago. To date I have still heard nothing from the bank. It is now 10 January 2022, remember I initially app**** on 30 December 2021. In this time I have read so many negative comments about this Bank concerning the typical terrible service one receives by most businesses in South Africa in general, that I have actually decided that I no longer want their loan. In fact it has taken so long, that I no longer need it. In any event I rather not deal with a business that provides such terrible customer service. I would therefore strongly advise any other potential clients who value good old fashioned good service the way I do, to simply steer clear of this very typically run South African business. Yes, I know I keep making reference to South African businesses and their poor service in general. But that is just sadly a reality of this country the terrible service filters right down from government and has become very common place amongst many a business. The very few places that still uphold good old fashioned quality customer service in SA are few and far between, but those must be commended. In summary, African Bank has provided such slow and pathetic service that I would rather not deal with them ever again.

Thanks