I have a State bank of India account since 2002 and i have taken all the so called facilities from the bank like ATM, Net Banking, DMAT Account, Mutual Fund everything. So heres my story …

7th January 2009 (2:45 PM) – New Delhi: I wanted Rs. 3000 urgently and instead of finding a state bank atm i choose an HDFC atm to withdraw my money from SBI account. It was urgent and i didnot bother paying Rs.20 for the service.

I entered amount Rs. 3000 after entering my PIN and waiting for the machine to deliver the cash. But there was no cash coming out and no receipt also. The security guard told me that its not working from the past 1 hr. I rushed to another HDFC ATM at saket, New Delhi. I got the money there but was shocked to see i was debited for the failed transaction also. Without spending a minute i went inside the HDFC bank and told about my issue. They told me to inform SBI as they cross check against all SBI account and there server is not recognizing the failed transaction. Immediately i called up SBI helpline and they told u should contact the home branch. I called up the home branch and they told me to FAX the documents along with a request letter.

8th January 2009 (10:30 AM) – New Delhi: I faxed all the documents along with a request letter to the home branch and taken confirmation receipt. The SBI customer care executive informed me these cases are solved within 3-5 days so i decided to keep quite for coupls of days.

12th January 2009 (3:30 PM) – Guwahati: I was at the branch where i was having an account. They told me to give the letter again and i did. They told you tried in HDFC Bank in Delhi so your request will be send to Delhi and it will take approx 15 days time.

2nd February 2009 (3:30 PM) – Guwahati: I went to the bank again. The lady responsible for all ATM related cases told me she doesnot know if the letter sent to delhi or not as she had given the letter to a peon. I requested her to find out and process it as early as possible and i told i will come after i week.

10th February 2009 (3:30 PM) – Guwahati: I was at bank again, waiting for my turn to speak to the lady. Then a senior guy came to me. Asked me what i do, why i am sitting there etc. etc. He was Mr. Ghose the Chief Operational Manager of that SBI. I told him my problems and he assured it will be solved in 5 days. He gave me the phone number and told me to call up and ask about the status. No need to come to the bank. I was thinking Thank God!! i got the right guy at last.

17th February 2009 (4 PM) – Delhi: I called up my home branch and asked the operator to connect me to the lady. He informed she is not there.

21st February 2009 (4 PM) – Guwahati: I called up again. The operator gave me a mobile number and told me to speak with the lady. I tried the number and that was switched off.

23rd February 2009 (10 AM) – guwahati: I lodged an online complaint and wrote about my issue. SBI replied with a complaint number. They informed me it takes 3 days to solve.

28th February 2009 (12 PM) – Guwahati: I called up customer care and asked about my complaint. They told its under process. I got really wild this time. Blasted the executive and asked all the GM/DGM email ids from him. He told me to find out from the website and disconnected the phone. I mailed to customer care and CC to GM Customer Care, DGM Customer Care, GM SBI Cards and the list is on.

After that i countinuously wrote a mail to them everyday as reminder of my complaint. Finaly on 10th of March i got a call from the DGM office asking my problem.

11th March 2009 (11 AM)  – Guwahati: One guy from the bank called me up and asked me politely, “you complained?” i told “YES”. He told “You could have come to the bank why u complaint? actually the bank lost the request letter and i dont have your account numbers and all. so can you please come down and your problem will be solved today itself”

I went to the bank at 12 PM. I inquired about the person called me at the help desk. The lady asked my name. I told “Pranjal Saikia”, suddenly i was shocked to see all the bank executives looking at me strangely. A message was in their eyes like “Ok, I are the person because of whom we got scoldings from DGM.” I was laughing my ass out and returning home after taking back Rs. 3000 in my account.

I could have asked for a compansesation according to the Banking Ombudsman Law under section 35A. But i just wanted back my hard earned money. That happened with me in the State Bank of India who has recently opened there 11111th branch in Sonapur, Assam.

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