Masters of incompetence

Standard Bank should be proud. If incompetence was an art form, then they have surely managed to rise to become Masters of their art.

In January 2017 I received a failed internet banking notification. This was strange as I was standing in my garden at the time. I immediately phoned Standard Bank and asked that access be stopped. The call centre agent told me that he would also need to stop my cheque card and I will be issued a new one. Fine. I selected a branch close to my work for the card to be sent to. Then, nothing. For months. And no feedback. I have emailed them to enquire as to where my card is, but nothing. Finally on Sunday, 27 August (yes, 7 months later) I am able to go to a branch to find out what happened. The person at enquiries told me he could see that I requested a new card and that it was never delivered, but couldn't help any further. He phoned the card division and handed me the phone. The call centre agent said that he will escalate the matter and ensure that I have my card by Wednesday, as 7 months is long overdue. Wednesday came and went without any news on the new card. Finally this afternoon I received a SMS telling me to collect my card from the Amanzimtoti branch. Problem is, I don't live in Amanzimtoti. I have never lived there and I don't plan on moving there in the near future. I asked for my card to be delivered to the Centurion Mall branch. In Gauteng. Where I live and work. Apparently Standard Bank wants me to take a 1 222km round trip to collect my cheque card.