| Ria Mendoza is an investigative report for Arabian Woman magazine, which
published online and
in print.
|
Hi Scott,
I never thought I'd be emailing you because
sometimes I find that the tips and tricks you send out do not apply to me--it seems more complicated than my actual finances. You see, there are no
taxes here in Dubai, no 401k-funds either, but I enjoy reading your money tips
and tricks and how-to’s on dealing with banks.
Anyway, there's one tip that stuck with me, which I
read when I was new to your site/column. It's to contact your bank to request
that they reverse charges, give you leeway on payments, or whatever your
situation requires.
Well, I do that all the time now, in case I can
actually penetrate their defenses and have my complaints or requests heard. And,
I am so pleased this month because one of the local banks actually granted my
request! First off, they were not at fault, I was. I regularly pay my credit
card on the first week of the month, so it would fall any day from the 1st to
the 7th of the month. But about two months ago, I got my salary early and paid
off my card, loans, rent and what-have-you as soon as I got the money, not
noticing that I paid my credit card on the 29th, which was still within the
previous month's billing statement.
So when I got my statement, they charged me a
125AED (roughly 30USD) late payment fee! I called the call center, and of course,
I got an outright 'No'. The rep told me that I've had my account since 2005 so I
should know my cutoff dates by now. So I told her, that's the point, I've been
a good client since 2005, and I only tried to pay my account early. But she said
'No, you're not qualified for reversal of charges'. Fearful of hearing the same
thing or being blocked if I asked for a manager as you suggested, I wrote my
story and emailed it to them using the generic feedback form on their website,
relaying what happened and asking them if they would consider it goodwill on
their part and good relationship building, especially since I think they're a
good bank. That's why I'm not even considering other banks, which also offer free
annual fee credit cards with other benefits.
Well, what do you know. Two or three days later, I
receive a call from the bank. They asked me what happened and later told me that
they will forward my request. Another two to three days later, I got another
call telling me that the fee was reversed, and it will be reflected in my next
statement!
It does pay to ask, even if you think
your request won't be granted.
Thanks Scott!
Ria Mendoza
--End--
|
