I’m a resident of Bombay. I had visited Delhi in the month of November 2002. Overall, it was a nice trip for me. I returned in the 2nd week of November. And since I returned with quite some cash, I didn’t pay a single visit to the ATM for almost 10 days.
One unfine day, when I was standing in a queue outside the ATM, and it was taking forever for these guys to carry out ’’daily maintenance’’, I happened to take out my purse..and to my horror, my ATM-cum-Debit card (NCASH Card) was missing.
I ran to my office, and called up ICICI. After verifying my credentials, the customer care executive(God I hate Long Designations!!) asked me about my last transaction, and told me that my card has been blocked 10 days ago. So I need not worry, my account was safe.
Safe, yes..but in safe hands? No way!! For 10 days my card was blocked, and you people did not inform me? What if I visited some place out of Bombay, assuming that I have my ATM cum debit card with me, and come to know that its lost..it’ll be like taking a cruise to an island 100 miles away from any other land, and upon reaching there, realizing that the stupid fuel man didn’t put enough fuel for your return trip!!
They couldn’t even tell me whether my card, which was lost, was reported FOUND in Delhi or Bombay or wherever?? Terrifying indeed! Where did the card go?? And the biggest question of all was ’’Upon WHOSE request was my card blocked!?’’.
Anyways, I went to the bank and applied for a duplicate card. I was told that the card will reach me in 7 - 10 days.
’’What about the charges?’’, I asked.
’’They’ll be debited from your account, Sir’’, was the reply.
Man, was I impressed? These guys are so fast, in 5 mins, my application was complete.
After 10 days, I called these guys up. They told me to file a complaint as the card had not been processed. I did. After another 3 days, I called them again. They told me their network was down and that I should call up after some time.
After 18 days, when I didn’t get my card, and when I could take out some time to visit the branch, and came to know that my card was not processed.
’’Why!?’’, I asked, obviously angrily.
’’Sir, a fees of Rs 200/- has to be paid as a processing charge’’, replied the guy at the counter (I dunno whether he was a CCE or not!)
I got furious. I asked, ’’Do you mean to say I did not make the payment, when I was told clearly that the payment will be debited from my account?’’
No Reply.
He pulled out another form. Told me to fill it up. I did. He told, ’’You’ll get the card in 7 - 10 working days’’.
I said, ’’Give it to me in max 4 days, you’ve already wasted 18 days!’’
He told me to talk to his senior. I did. I was assured I’ll get the card in 4-5 days.
On 7th day, I took a half day from my office, and went to the branch. The same guy, he again told me that the card has not been processed.
I lost my temper. I gave him left and right. He called up his office in Prabhadevi. He was told the card is processed and it will reach me the same day.
Well, it did reach me, but the next day. And the PIN number will take another I-dont-know-how-many days.
So the conclusion is...It took me 25 days to JUST receive my NCASH card from ICICI....and I wonder when they’ll gimme my PIN number, so that I can actually use it.
addition on 23rd Dec, 02
I’ve received my pin code...surprisingly, just 2 days after I got my card. And today, after verifying that it works fine..I report that I got my duplicate NCASH ATM cum Debit card and its PIN number from ICICI in 27 days flat! Something that ICICI claims to issue in 7 - 10 days time.