Pathetic is such a polite term as a description. Review on HDFC Bank Visa Credit Card

Hi all,

I hardly ever write reviews in the first place, but whenever I do so it is mostly to describe (expose) a service or product which affects the day-to-day lives of a billion or so consumers in my country in the hope that we can make the offenders / culprits answerable & guilty of their actions. Also, may be so that we as consumers can make better choices and judgements before running into any purchases and burning their fingers, pockets, et al.

As for example, HDFC bank credit cards. This is truly the pits and when it comes to describe their customer satisfaction levels you must be really a pro in anger management to be able to sit down patiently and type a rewiew instead of going out there and throwing stones at the corporate office and spitting at their head honchos faces.

Mr. H.D. Parekh (MD of HDFC Group), I hope you are listening & finally wake up. Your bank takes the icing & the cake when it comes to leaving a feeling of utter hatred & disgust in the minds of the consumers.

Did you say "satisfaction". Come on man, u must be joking ?!? HDFC credit cards & satisfaction ??? Which world do you belong to ? Are you for real ??

Get outta here dude.... They suck majorly.

If you haven't realized this until now, then you are either a major domo ignoramus, or a thick skinned buffalow, or a deaf & mute & blind chappy.

Why do I say all this & foam at the mouth with uncontrollable hatred and disgust ?

Is it because I have an ulterior motive ? NO.

Is it because I am representing the competition secretly & trying to ridicule and capture the market ? NO.

Is it because I am just being biased and prejudiced ? BIG NO.

Is it because I want to get rave reviews on the mouthshut portal and boast of a great readership by bad mouthing others ? BIGGER NO.

Is it because I am a cranky old chappy with a lot of time on my hands to curse & crib about others because the lady at the counter didn't get up to wish me and pay due respects to a high profile member of the senior citizenry ? EMPHATIC NO.

Is it because my shares prices have literally been on a roller coaster ride downwards & this is my way of pay back time ? NO & Why are you even thinking of such stupid things ???

I am just another cosumer like you. Trying to learn from very bad experiences & share it with you so that we can together throw out a repeatedly poor performer from our markets & be safe and happy....

The points to note : -

1. HDFC bank sucks when it comes to customer service. Ever call their phone banking or helpline numbers ? Avoid it, you'll land up running a huge phone bill apart from heartburn & may be even a heart attack. They put you on hold forever "while they are checking" & get back to you with "we will get back to you shortlys as they don't have a clear cut picture at that point of time - they never will".

   
   




2. HDFC bank branch staff are the most coldest of people you can know. Even if you smile at them, they just stare bank as though you don't exist (look right through you as if they don't give a damn). Besides, the branches are always over crowded & under staffed with very little waiting space (stand on one anothers heads to have a peek at their counters to ascertain whe its your turn).

   
   




3. Now the major problem : their credit cards. I was forced to take a silver / standard credit card because at that point of time I really needed one while travelling and HDFC sounded like a good name to trust. VERY BIG BLUNDER.

   
   

Their bills never ever come, forget on time. Their collection agents (very nasty bunch) tell you that you have outstandings & you aren't paying in time (as though you'll disappear with their 500 bucks !), and that they are blocking your card immediately.

When you try to reason that you didn't get your bill at all, they tell you all customers say the same excuses and it is very cheap on a customer's part to not have the courtesy to follow up & ensure they get their bills on time. Hey madam, am I a customer or a third degree slave that I have to follow up on these things ? Your bank should do all their ground work properly. You send me a bill, I verify the charges & then proceed to pay before the due date. No bill, no pay, simple. How can I assume an amount or else give you a blank cheque ????

No answer to these questions. The ladies say that's not my problem, my job is to tell you. So I am. If you are facing a problem call our customer care. But we are blocking your card. Bangs the phone down.... RIDICULOUS TREATMENT. Mr. Parekh, you are commiting hara kiri by letting this happen in this age of stiff competition.

Now, what could possibly be the heights, I have stopped using their third rate card & moved on to other banks since a year. I clearly all my dues & vouched I would never swipe my HDFC card ever again. One year down the line, I get a bill amounting to Rs.4000.00/- odd showing as late payment fees, finance charges, outstanding debit balance greater than four months, etc.

This is truly the heights of cheating, damn crooks, whatever can you expect from these trash cans....

Phone calls / E-mails / Faxes / Personal visits to the nearest branch yields absolutely no results.

Pathetic, I tell you. What gets my goat is that there is a remark on my bill which states - "Your HDFC credit card account has been suspended immeditely and your details have been forwarded to the RBI security agencies."

BULL SHIT. Keep your *&$#/@! card to yourselves you scumbags - HDFC.

I have self respect & dignity to tolerate any more nonsense. Lets fight it out in a consumer forum where I can produce all relevant documents for legal verfication.

All these low life arm twisting tactics won't work with me.

I have never held back anyones money till date & I have never cheated, stolen or borrowed. Why should I have to put up with a bunch of slimy crooks ???

You as consumers, please decide for yourselves & make better informed choices or else you'll land up like me with the proverbial eggs in your faces....

This review is based on 100% personal experience with 0% hype & exageration.

NOW ITS UPTO YOU AS A CONSUMER TO DECIDE WHO ARE THE LIARS & CHEATS & WHETHER YOU WOULD WANT BE ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH PEOPLE IN FINANCIAL ASPECTS & RUN THE RISK OF LOSS OF TIME / MONEY / ENERGY / PEACE OF MIND / EVERYTHING...........