is sbi a hopelessly gone case when it comes to any customer service?
context:
my dad has gone to the branch for getting some work done that can be only done offline.
while he was in queue at number 2, the peon approached the lady at the counter with some paperwork that was sent by the branch manager which contained an HNI customer's requests.
the time was just 10 min before lunch time. by the time she finished with the BM's request, it was lunch time and she straightaway left the window for her lunch. when my father pointed this out, she had the audacity to shout at him saying that she was also doing office work only, it was BM's orders, etc.
now I know that if it was any other standard bank, I could highlight this to authorities with a formal complaint. but I don't have any faith in SBI's escalation matrix. and my complaint is not going to resolve the decades old mismanagement and customer service issues that SBI is famous for.
my question is, has any member of this community found any trick or jugaad that can instill fear in the minds of SBI employees into doing their work on time and leave aside the govt job type of vibe?
[end of rant]
I had a tough 10 years journey with SBI for my Home Loan.
1. I did not check anything for the insurance option and they very conveniently added SBI RINN RAKSHA to my loan. When I refused to take it they said the loan offer will be cancelled if I don't take it and I have to make a fresh application. I was living in Mumbai at that time and came down to Kolkata just for the loan and going back and coming again would have cost nearly the same so I decided to go ahead with it. SBI earned 35K from me by selling an insurance I didn't need and didn't opt for. This is
ROBBERY in broad daylight. My only mistake I didn't check "not required".
2. I opted for MaxGain (I DID check the box) but still they opened normal loan account. I didn't understand and put all money from my various accounts into the loan account but when I tried to withdraw I couldn't. Then on contacting branch official I came to know they had opened normal loan account and there is no way to withdraw the excess amount paid. I landed into a big financial trouble with no money available with me.
3. I asked them to convert it to MaxGain. First they refused. Then I reached out to AGM in RACPC, he said it can be done only if I had ticked the MaxGain option in my original application. They took about a month to check the documents which was lying in their own document locker and finally confirmed that I had indeed ticked the option.
4. They asked for Rs. 1000 as conversion fee. I refused to pay because it was their fault. They kept sending me letters for 3 months. I kept replying on email. Finally after 3 months got a letter stating the charges has been waived.
5. Even after converting to MaxGain I was not able to withdraw. Learnt from branch official that I have to make a separate written application to enable transactions. Again the situation was urgent for me to withdraw some money. I spent 350 bucks and couriered the application through BlueDart so that they get it next day. But this branch official was so casual he simply told me courier not received in spite of me sending him the POD. I had to call up branch AGM and he called that person and I could hear him saying out loud to the AGM that I am troubling him by calling him repeatedly. Just imagine the audacity an officer has to speak like that against a customer who is suffering because of his poor service and that too to his AGM. Anyways, finally with the AGM's intervention the matter was resolved that day.
6. Next few years went smoothly but again faced an issue when converted it from MCLR to EBLR. Submitted cheque of 5K (fees) along with application. The cheque was cashed by SBI and in addition to that they debited my HL account for Rs. 11800. I kept on calling and mailing but nobody reverted for more than a month. Finally I complained to CPGRAMS and then they reversed on getting letter from the Ministry of Finance, GoI.
7. It was over a month which meant some amount of interest paid. I asked them to credit the same to my account but again no response and again CPGRAMS complaint and action after getting letter from the Ministry of Finance, GoI.
8. After such an eventful 10 years finally I received SMS asking me to visit branch and close the account as loan recovered. I went to the branch and they asked me to give an application. After submitting application they said it has to be verified from RACPC and then account will be closed. It will take 30-45 minutes. Although I didn't understand what needs to be verified as branch handles financial transactions and RACPC maintains documents and account was clearly showing 0 balance, I went back after 1 hour and waited for another before I lost my cool. I started by telling the lady my journey so far and she had the audacity to tell me you have resolved all your problems by closing the account. Just bear with us for some more time. On hearing this I lost my temper and shouted for the next 30 minutes till I got my NOC. On my way out entered the Chief Manager's cabin (10 years back it used to be AGM's cabin) and lent him a piece of my mind. He listened to me quietly and didn't say a word. I left.
9. Went to RACPC with the NOC to collect my deed and other documents. The person checked in his system and told me Rinn Raksha account is not closed. I told him it's zero balance but he said it needs to be closed before he can give me back my documents. I asked him what to do? He gave me a number to call the branch. I called but there was no answer, then he tried still no answer. Then I asked for the Chief Manager's number. He hesitated at first but then I told him my experience in the branch the previous day and that I will start shouting here too if he didn't give me the number. Then he finally gave the number and when I dialed, I was surprised to find that the number was already saved in my mobile as AGM's number from 10 years back. He didn't pick up the phone, and kept disconnecting. I messaged on WhatsApp and this time for the the time ever I got some support. He got the account closed in next 5 minutes and I got my documents back.
*** End of a Pathetic Banking Journey ***