How can we charge you?

<p>My cheque card is within 6 months of expiry. After normal wear-and-tear the magstrip has stopped working and I cannot use the card at ATMs. I went into my local branch and was told that I had to cancel the card and pay R130 for a replacement. I asked why I had to pay given that the card was not lost or damaged to due any action by me, but the staff member insisted "that is the rule".</p> <p>But it gets better: if you order a replacement card your current card is immediately cancelled for the 7 days you wait for the new card to arrive at the branch. No problem, says the cashier, you can get a temporary debit card: you just need to pay another R130!! After explaining why I thought this was ******ionate she told me to go to reception.</p> <p>Reception merely told me the same thing - 'that's the rule' - and to use a phone in the corner to call the card division. After 5min waiting I hung-up, because I was worried the branch would close before I had any cash! I then tried to draw cash at the tellers in the branch (this was how I had started-out after all, just trying to draw cash...). And they wanted to charge me a hefty fee for doing so! After I kicked-up a fuss they agreed to let me draw cash and reverse the subsequent charge for a manual withdrawal (manual because the magstrip was not working!).</p> <p>I then went back to the phone to wait for a consultant from the card division. (By this time the branch was closing its doors). I waited for 10min (!) and when someone eventually picked-up the line cut. By which point I had, had enough. I left a written complaint at reception and walked out. My card currently works for chip-and-pin payments but that will also probably stop working before the expiry date has been reached.</p> <p>It seems to me from this experience that Standard Bank have realised that they can make money out of the cards they issue failing due to wear-and-tear, and have instructed their staff accordingly. Perhaps they should change their motto to: "How can we charge you?". </p> <p>If this isn't satisfactorily resolved (i.e. by my card being replaced for free and without my being left without a functioning card for 7 days) I will take my account elsewhere. After over 20years with Standard Bank, I think I'm finally getting the message...</p> <p> </p>