“Hi. I’d like to know when my Credit Card will be delivered. I was told it will be delivered at the end of April”
“I’m afraid it looks like your card was declined”
…breathe…
“Could you tell me why it was declined?”
“Yes. It looks like there is an ITC code ‘T100′. It must mean you have debt outstanding or you’ve had a problem paying another credit card. You will have to phone ITC to find out what the judgement against you is.”
…riiight…
Right. Finally it’s nearing my Credit Card time. I can just feel it. Phone the other company, say “Sorry, I don’t need your card”. But first, let’s do a little follow up.
I’m calm.
I can breathe.
I’m not shaking. Much. Do I HAVE to feel nervous phoning these people. I mean, what could POSSIBLY go wrong now?
As with last month, I’d just LOVE to know exactly how things are going. So, let’s do the phone call thing again.
“I’m sorry sir. But there’s been a slight delay. The cards will only be ready at the end of April”
OH… MY… WORD!!!!!! And the problem is?
“I’m afraid I don’t know.”
So, I’ve been messed around for 4 months, rejected, and made to wait a little longer each time. I’m starting to feel like I’m in a VERY badly written thriller movie, or at the VERY least, a badly written thriller blog!!! What can this company do to make me happy?
“I’m sorry sir, I’ve spoken to my supervisor, and I can only offer you our apologies”
lovely
We all know how well this fantastic process is going, so let’s just do a check on things.
“Um, sorry sir, but I can see that your request has been processed. But the cards are only going to be available at the end of March”.
That’s fine with me. I can wait until the End of March. They don’t know whether it’s been approved just yet, but it has been processed.
Aaahh, I phoned again, and they found my Fax. It looks like things are starting to move along now.
Unfortunately, there seems to have been a large number of upgrades. So, there’s ANOTHER backlog. But don’t worry, they will process my request and once the card has been approved, I should receive it by the end of March.
“Very sorry for the inconvenience”
Here’s a little private Q&A Session
“WHY are you still doing this???”
Well, I know I qualify for this card. I’d really like to see how long it will take to get it. And, of course, there’s the matter of the NOW EXPIRED Garage Card on my other account.
“So, why the stressing out?”
That’s because I feel powerless at the hands of such utter incompetence. I am tired of asking for something, and because I mean nothing to the people/company, why bother with some decent service…?
You also have to realise, I know 5 people who applied for this card. ONE person managed to receive the correct card. 2 people received the Electron Card, 1 received the correct card, but with incorrect personal details on the card. And the 5th person was lucky enough not to have been given anything. No explanation necessary.
I phone the Helpdesk. Sorry, I can’t talk to yesterday’s HDJ. But surely this new person can help me.
SURE, you can tell me if you’re received my fax request for a Credit Card upgrade.
“Will that be a limit upgrade?”
No, that’ll be the CARD I ORIGINALLY REQUESTED! please.
I must learn to relax. It’s only a credit card. Once again, why get upset with an HDJ. They can’t do anything, can they?They answer the phones and check the system to see what it says.
All I can say is, THANK GOODNESS my garage may have expired, but I can carry on using it until I pick up my new one.
Morning
Ok, that’s long enough. Let’s phone the lovely people and find out how my card’s coming.
The Help Desk Jockey (HDJ) tells me they don’t have an application form for me. I must have sent it to the wrong fax. But if I just send it to him he’ll get it processed straight away.
WHAT ON EARTH!!! NO FAX!!!
Well, what can I do. Heck, what can HE do. He’s just an HDJ. So, I resend the required documents and copies. Different fax number. I can tell because I have the Fax Report from the first fax. He’ll phone me to tell me he’s received it.
Afternoon
Ok, he hasn’t phoned yet. I’ll phone tomorrow. I don’t like phones, and these people are starting to get to me.
Ok. I’ve taken a day to calm down. I needed it. To be told I’m a bad payer is not a nice thing.
- Phone Discovery again. I would really like to know why my card was rejected.
- Finally, a person answers the phone who knows how to talk to customers.
Nice chap. Sent me the form straight away. I filled it out and faxed it back the next day. I’ll let them get at it. Holiday period coming up and all.
Finally! I’ve received my card. Isn’t this exciting. Let’s go spend some money…. ;o)
Hang on a second. This card is not Gold. AND it says Electron Card. What on EARTH is an Electron Card?
- Log onto Discovery. Hmmm… A Debit Card. I need to put money on the card before I can use it apparently.
- Phone Discovery and say that I’ve received the wrong card. The “nice” lady on the other side says this means I have outstanding debt or a bad credit rating. I must phone ITC to find out where I owe money.
—
Lovely job so far. They can take applications, but they can’t tell me why my Credit Card has been rejected.
—
- Phone ITC. Ok, they’ve never heard of me. I have no profile on their system. Well, I shouldn’t have. I don’t like owing people money.
