BL
Brian L
Active since Mar 2021
15
Reviews
0
Industries
Reviews
15 reviews15 months ago
STANDARD – THE BANK THAT DOESN’T CARE
I don’t like writing negative reviews but this time I have no option. I have been a Standard Bank client for 45 years. The first 20 years I generally had no problems, and always got assistance with anything I needed. Since 2001 their client service has deteriorated to a shocking level. There was an incident at the end of 2001 with their Home Loans department, which ended up with them wanting to pass a summary Judgement against me, but at the last minute an efficient employee uncovered all the evidence they denied ever having received from me and they dropped the case immediately. However, it did not stop them debiting my Loan account with R10,000 legal fees which of course increased the balance. Since Covid I have had financial challenges, and once again any request for temporary help was turned down. Fast forward to 2024 when in September I had an unexpected medical emergency which put an enormous strain on my already fragile finances. I had prior to this, and with the help of an old friend who is a broker/trader, been paying into an investment account with him. I made the payments through my Valr cryptocurrency account – who by the way bank with Standard. Two weeks ago I received a phone call from a man who said he was from the ***** and Security division and that he was concerned about payments I was making into my Valr wallet. I explained to him why I was making the payments – for investments purposes – but he countered that with the suggestion that I was money laundering!! He didn’t appear to be convinced otherwise. I am a law abiding citizen and have never committed a crime in my life, but now, because I want to improve my financial situation in my old age, I am committing financial crimes. On Wednesday 15th January I discovered that I could not transact on my accounts in any way – pay out, pay in, pay/transfer between - and after numerous phone calls discovered that my accounts were suspended/put on hold/blocked pending an investigation. Promises of phone call and email updates have never materialized. Today, 20th January, after calling in again, I was told that my accounts were blocked from Monday 13th January, but of course, I WAS NOT INFORMED. The lady I spoke to said that from the block date, 7 working days after I would be contacted. That remains to be seen. In the meantime I have no access to any money or any kind of transaction, and the bank remains quiet. What angers me so is that whoever this investigator is DID NOT HAVE THE COMMON DECENCY, LET ALONG PROFESSIONALISM, TO CONTACT AND TELL ME ABOUT THIS SITUATION. This is just confirmation that Standard Bank does not give a damn about their clients, their needs or concerns. Once my financial situation has improved I see no point in remaining a client with them anymore. I am extremely disappointed with the bank and most, but not all, of their employees.
159 replies
19 months ago
Fantastic service and advice
I called Outsurance today regarding a problem with my bank debit orders, and also because I have not used my car for the past 7 months, and I thought it would be a good idea to cancel my subscription until early next year. I first spoke to a very helpful young lady, who then put me through to the most fantastic consultant Mr Zakaria Osman. What an incredible young man, so helpful and sympathetic to my situation. He advised me not to cancel my insurance, and gave me a better and more inclusive deal for less, to help me over this trying financial situation I am experiencing at the moment. Mr Osman is a credit and a shining light as an employee, who puts the needs of his clients first and it was an absolute pleasure speaking to, and dealing with him. Thank you so much for making my day a little less stressful. Mr Osman is an asset to Outsurance, and if you want a problem solved, or expert guidance with your insurance, he is the man to talk to!
53 replies
24 months ago
Excellent service.
A few weeks ago TT Connect came to my apartment in the block of flats where I live to do a fiber system connection upgrade. Just as they did when I had my fiber installation in May 2021, they did the job with the usual professionalism - quickly and efficiently. Thank you. TT Connect is a great company and I am happy my infrastructure support is with them.
53 replies
25 months ago
Not MiWay - it's TheirWay!
I have never done any business with MiWay, and yet for years they have been calling and harassing me to sign up for one on their products - usually car and home insurance. After a break of about a year, I have been called twice since yesterday for the same nonsense again. The second caller this morning said I had taken part in a survey - which I do not recall - and asked for more information. They just don't get the message. If I want any insurance of any type, I will do my research and contact a company, and then I will not give personal, let alone banking details over the phone. I have asked to be removed from their lists, but they still keep calling. They are the most revolting, pushy and "won't take no for an answer" company in this country! If they call me once more I have have a lawyer's letter sent to them to stop this nonsense.
114 replies
36 months ago
Why is there ************** when people want to donate blood?
I have been wanting to donate blood whenever I see a donation setup in any shopping centre but have been turned away every time. I have been a blood donor since the age of 20, but am now considered to be "too old'. Just before the Easter weekend I saw an appeal for blood again, so having been turned down got an email from their website and contacted them. That was on April 6th. I got a confirmation of email submission, but since then no reply. Below is a copy of the email I sent: "I read an article on News24 this morning about the SANBS needing people to donate blood over the Easter weekend, as they generally do, and over most holiday periods. They were referring to the Western Cape, but I know that the other provinces, and also Gauteng, are always asking people to donate to avoid shortages. It was this request that prompted me to contact you. I have been a blood donor since I was 20 years old. In the late 70''s and early 80's (when I was still living in Cape Town) I was also a white cell platelet donor on a regular basis. I am now 72 years old, but since I turned 60 (I live here in Bedfordview, Gauteng), I have been turned away from every blood donation drive that has been held in the shopping centers around me. I am O+, so a universal blood group, fit and healthy, but I get turned away every time I have tried to donate - because of my age. My late father, who passed away at the age of 80 donated blood up until a month before he died (in East London), so I don't see what the age problem is here in Gauteng. When I see these appeals for blood, I feel no sympathy because there is obviously some ************** when it comes to donating blood, so if you have a shortage over times like long weekends and holidays, all I can say is "your fault, - I have been begging to donate but have been turned down every time."
0 replies
39 months ago
ABSA Actionline and Idirect - worst service
extremely disappointed with Absa actionline and Absa I direct insurance. Idrect insurance failed to assist me after 4 phone calls, nor did they return my call to complete my query. I then raised the complaint with action Line, someone should have contacted me between 2/3 days, no contact, then i received an email that said i will have feedback a week later, 30 January 2023, 7 days for feedback is already appalling. Nonetheless i waited. 7 days passed, still not feedback, i again queried with ActionLine, no response. I mailed the consultant who said he will provide feedback, and till now, still no response from anyone. My insurance premium was debited for the extremely high premium of R2400, My policy now says my household contents cover is now at R25000, which is not what was requested, but my premium on that is R5. does not make sense at all. To top it off, i am a staff member, had my insurance for over 5 years, with no claims This service is terrible, if this is how Absa treats their customers, i will Glady move my insurance elsewhere.
56 replies
53 months ago
Splush online lost the plot
with Recent covid numbers increasing i opted to purchase my regular hair products online on the 28th November 2021. No confirmation email or sms, so I was patient. On the 2 December,i sent an email via the website querying the order. I received a response on the 3rd,stating i must check my junk folder for the email, but my order was received and was given my order number. The agent i will get my tracking waybill number shortly. Today is the 7th, still no email or tracking number sent to me. i tried calling, no answer, the tracking chat bot also told me to contact the agent to assist me. The site mentions deliveries in 1-4 days. my order has definitely surpassed that, with no communication whatsoever. extremely disappointed!!!!!
53 replies
62 months ago
Great service
Our block of flats in Bedford Gardens finally got fiber installed - Fredd ISP in conjunction with TT Connect. The experience of signing up, and the first part of the installation in my flat, has been excellent. As I am waiting for my Telkom landline and ADSL internet to be terminated, I will finally get fully connected in 4 weeks time. Dealing with Fredd as the ISP has been a pleasure and they go out of their way to ensure that your installation goes smoothly and without a hitch. Very happy with the service so far.
56 replies
62 months ago
Incessant harassing phone calls
Mi/way is the worst company for spam and scam calls. Since 2019 I have been receiving calls trying to get me to buy into their insurance. Blocking the number each time has not helped. Las week I received another such call, so I said to the lady ok give me a quite but I can assure you I will not change my insurance. At the end I said no, and goodbye. This morning I get yet another call from some lady saying she is checking to see if I am taking up the insurance offer!! The more I explained that I was not interested, the more she said that she was following up on my "request"! I don't think this is the last call I will get no matter how many times I block the numbers. Now, more importantly, people who work on these call centres or in companies need to be taught telephone etiquette. You do not start a conversation with "how are you", "good morning how are you", and many other variations, but THEY NEVER IDENTIFY WHO THEY ARE AND WHO THEY ARE CALLING FROM. That is just plain rude, invasive and unprofessional. I know it appears to be a very South African thing, but if someone starts a conversation with me like this and I will either hang up or tell them to learn how to contact people. MiWay needs to get their act together and stop harassing people.
56 replies
62 months ago
Excellent Service
I have had a Valr account for just on a year now and have been impressed every time I have had any dealings with them. Today I needed to sell Bitcoin because I needed the ZAR for medical supplies. I have only had a small balance, but the transaction was effortless and smooth, and within 10 minutes of clicking confirm, the money was paid into my bank account - and I got a confirmation email. For any cryptocurrency investments and trading Valr is the best. Their security is tip top and the website very user friendly, even for a novice. Thank Valr for your wonderful service. When I have some spare money again (the pandemic has made my finances rather strained over the past year), I will start investing again. A highly recommended and thoroughly professional financial institution.
0 replies
Review Distribution
5 Star
4 (26.666666666666668%)
4 Star
0 (0%)
3 Star
0 (0%)
2 Star
2 (13.333333333333334%)
1 Star
9 (60%)