This is the first time that I am very dismayed by the lackadaisical attitude of the reputed CITIBANK service. They have deployed raw inexperienced and irresponsible youngsters to service personal loans? I had applied for a loan of an x amount by personally visiting SHELTERS in Bandra(W) MUMBAI-400050. I had personally complied with all their requirements as instructed by Mr.Prateek on the 6th of July. Till today i.e. 12-07-02 evening there is no word from them. I have signed on documents with blank spaces and handed over 4 cheques which have no amount mentioned on them in good faith since I never for a moment doubted on the genuiness of an officer employed with CITIBANK. I was told that this loan would be processed and the draft given to me within 3 to 4 working days. Today is the 12th of July and I have given more than 10 calls to the Bandra Office besides having gone there twice, and all I am receiving are assurances. Mr.Prateek had called me back only once that too after I had asked to speak to a senior officer. I had been told by one Mr.Dilip that Prateek has gone to the Parel Office to look into the matter since the Draft was supposed to have been printed and signed by some officer there. I am paying an exorbitant rate of interest for this loan, besides a service charge of Rs.750/- and other penal charges of which this bank has plenty. But I wish to know whether any compensation is given out for dereliction of duty or failure to meet your commitments? Is there any rebuttal for lackluster service or deficiency in service?
There is nobody to pull up some socks Even one Seema Joshi (Parel) said she would look in to the matter and call me back in 10 minutes. I had to call her back after 1 hour to follow up and was asked for my phone number for the umpteenth time so that she could call me back. It seems no one in their personal loans section has been taught about calling back or maintaining telephone numbers and referring to essential details of clients. I am shocked at this appalling state of affairs but marvel at the efficiency with which these people are reputed to recover outstanding dues. No one applies for a loan unless there is a particular need. And if that need is not fulfilled in time, then what is purpose of all this rigmarole? I had a very good impression of CITIBANK, but my faith has been sorely shaken and I am frankly, very disappointed and that is to say the least. After this very bitter experience, I have written and spoken to various people who have tried to coax and cajole me by saying that they would definitely book the people responsible but I frankly doubt it. I hope no one falls prey to them and if you ever have to visit Shelters at Bandra, please take everything they say in writing and ask for time schedules, interest charges, pre-payment of loan charges, administration charges, service charges, and loan schedule. Make sure that everything is given in writing. Make sure that they deliver if they promise or put some penalty clause for failure in meeting their commitments because if you were to fail in meeting your E.M.I. installments for repayment of loan you would have to pay the penal charges. So why not them ? And don’t for a minute think that they are any where as good as CITIBANK because they are just General Sales Agents for them and nothing more than that.
I got lured and misled by the citibank name and learnt only after I burnt my hands and that too the loan was not processed in time because some newbie nincompoop was entrusted this task. And he goofed up big time because he didnt submit the papers to the citibank guys for all these days and was just sitting on them for reasons better known to him. It all caught fire only when I ignited this situation with citibank and they rushed matters through but ended up sanctioning a loan less then what was promised by that oaf at Shelters because of some misunderstanding or so they claim.
I don’t wish to portray a bad image of CITIBANK per se, but it definitely reflects on them if they are associated with the kind of people at SHELTERS and you cant shirk the responsibility-No WAY !