Fri 1 Dec 2006
HSBC Strike Two (Horrible Customer Service So Far)
Posted by RichSlick under Financial Safety, Watch Out
[2] Comments
Last week I discovered HSBC began charging me ridiculous interest on my HSBC Credit Card account which had 6 more months to go at 0% APR. The lady I spoke with over the phone said she would take care of the issue in 10 to 14 days. I sent an email to Customer Service yesterday to get an update on the issue and this was their response:
We have forwarded your request to the appropriate department. Please allow up to two billing cycles for an update. You are important to us and we appreciate your business. Sincerely, HSBC Credit Card Customer Care
It’s going to take TWO WHOLE BILLING CYCLES to fix a problem they created themselves? I am so agitated at that response!
What does HSBC stand to lose over this stupid issue?
On any given year, I charge between 50k – 80k on my credit card. I was planning on using HSBC Mastercard exclusively for all my credit card needs but that may not happen unless they fix this issue. If they fail to fix the issue I will also close my HSBCDirect account and move my money elsewhere. I am already in the process of closing down my HSBC Retail Credit Card because of the original problem.
Am I being extreme? No, when there are hundreds of banks competing for my business and it’s taking my personal time arguing with these people to get a problem fixed that should never have occurred in the first place then I don’t think I’m being extreme. Quite honestly, I have a low level of tolerance for incompetence and stupidity and HSBC is truly trying my patience.
December 1st, 2006 at 8:42 pm
I had a Household Bank (HSBC) Retail card through Best Buy several years ago. I got it for the 12-month 0% APR for a specific purchase. They screwed up the interest the same wa and dealing with them was horrible. It took several calls but eventually, they took the interest charges of. I suppose they were just hoping I wouldn’t notice.
I did research back then… this was very common. That’s why I was hesitant at first about the HSBC Direct bank account…
December 1st, 2006 at 10:12 pm
Good luck getting it straightened out!
It seems everyone else speaks the praises of HSBC’s bank accounts, but I’m guessing they have not spent the better part of several evenings on the phone with the CSRs trying to resolve an issue to no avail. Throw in the annoyance of the relay delay (they ask a question, I would answer just as they’re re-asking) and I was out there.