Do you trust in CIMB?

Cute picture isn't it? Yes, I'm not smiling.

Yesterday I was unhappy. Very unhappy.

The day before I was mad. Very mad!

How could you trust a bank that give a loan with 36% interest, slow procedure and slow feedback in everything? Since Beach Street CIMB was the closest bank I could go so I gave myself a try.

I trust in Maybank since I was a kid perhaps because parent trust in them too. Ok, not really with my dad since he trust in oversea banks more. Simple reasons he gave me: good service and hospitality when you deal with them. Good environment too. I went in HSBC and Standard Charted once. Yes, different from our local bank. But what I didn't like to open any account with them just because they are not everywhere like local banks. Who cares about saving depreciation since I don't keep much in my saving. Hey! invest somewhere that could give you better interest!. Ok I won't talk about finance today.

It was a very frustrated experience with CIMB I'd say. First of all, when I asked about loan there was no further detail instead of giving out their pamphlet and the payment timetable. RM5,000 for 5 years and RM181 monthly installment sounded interesting to me (for 5 years, yes I know silly me). Ok, I didn't do bad loan. Never. When I say I pay monthly installment for RM181 that means I got profit out of it. Let say, I pay RM181 but after paying this amount I get RM419 in my pocket. Don't you think its a good debt/loan? There you go, finance talk again! Damn.

Then, I simply agreed with the deal as they told me I could get the money instantly or at least in 3 days working days. Yeah right! It took about a week to get the amount in my account! That's not instant and I would rather find a lower interest rate if I know that it would take this long. So, that was my first dissappointment. I didn't want to make a havoc. Fine.

Ok, they didn't tell me that I have to bank in the money to my saving account and I can't pay at the counter as you paying off your other loan. WTF? Then I told them that I want to pay more and that means I was looking for rebate if I keep this healthy relation with the bank. But they told me I cannot do so as they will deduct exact amount of RM181 from the account. Oh man! I felt I was totally cheated at that time. Yes, at where I stand in front of the counter. My face was read. I know. I told them I want to make full settlement in 3 months time. As I would get back the amount in that period. They told me that I'd waste lots of money if I do that. I didn't care. I was pissed off.

In 3 months time, I could pay off the debt. But I hold the money in my account as the biz was not so good. Petrol ruined everything. Sigh. After I paid RM181 for almost 6 months, then I called CIMB, KL branch for the amount I need to pay. I knew the amount will be great as I have to pay penalty and process fees (damn, banks are bad!). Do you know how long it takes? Not long. It took ages and no response at all. Until I had to go to the same bank again and ask for the amount. They told me KL branch will send me a letter. Ok, no arguement. I waited for almost a month. Why they always take so long compared to Maybank? (ah same goes with Bank Islam). Affter a month I got the exact amount about RM5,390. I called them up as I want to make a bank draft from Maybank. I hate bring lots of cash. They said ok. Then, I paid and you know what? There was no receipt or anything! I told them at least you can sign and stamp for prove. The officer did as I told. Weird isn't it? Ok, done.

After a month I got my billing again. Bill? Loan? WTF? Ok, maybe they hadn't updated the latest payment yet. I emailed CIMB customer service and you know what they replied?

Let me start with my email:

"Sir,

Today 28/8/2008 I have received reminder letter about the Xpress Cash loan. I have made my full settlement on 6th August 2008 and therefore, no reminder should be given to me anymore.

By the way, August is almost over but I haven’t received any letter or receipt regarding this settlement. At first CIMB Beach Street, Penang branch called me up to put RM10 in the bank because the balance was RM4 in my account and I had done so. After few weeks an officer from KL called me and asked me to bank in RM10 again. Why is it so? For how many times I have to bank in money for the reason that the cheque can’t be proceed? I have paid the full amount on 6th of August 2008 by Maybank bank draft. I paid at CIMB, Beach Street, Penang.

Until now I haven’t received anything such as receipt or notification letter that I have settled the loan. I hope you can send me a letter or receipt regarding this matter.

Your cooperation is so much appreciated.

Thank you.

P/s: I don't remember the Kl Officer who called me but he is a Malay guy and the person who called me on 6th of August is Miss Tan. Thank you. "



and here was the reply:

"Dear Mr Faisal,

Thank you for your e-mail and banking with us.

We would advise you to liaise directly with Xpress Cash department at 03-2035 2200 in regards to your inquiry.

Should you have other inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact our CIMB Call Centre at 1-300-880-900 or 03-2295 6100 between 7am to 11pm (Malaysia hours) daily, (we are contactable 7 days a week including public holidays) for information and assistance.

Regards and have a pleasant day,
Sumarma "


If I need a reply like this I won't email them ok? Is it too hard for them to forward my email to the person in charge or at least to the right department? Sucks. I called up the numbers and no one pick up the phone. I tried about 6 times on the same date I got this reply. Fed up. Damn!

2 days ago, I got the reminder billing again! This time really drove me crazy. Yesterday, I went straight to see the person who dealt with me before. She called up the KL department and you know what? KL department didn't know anything regarding this. She passed the phone to me. I talked to the one on the phone. You know what? He even asked me have you faxed the receipt to KL deparment? Oy! I'm not your bloody damn slow stupid staff ok! (in my heart: Fuck off!). I asked him: "Am I suppose to know your whole procedure even though I'm an outsider?". He didn't reply. I told him that I'd tell this lady to fax by today (now I'm dealing on her behalf? grr!). Hang up. I told the lady that she needs to fax the receipt and the letter together. I did ask what happen to the receipt last time? Did't you guys fax it to KL or submit it by snail mail at least? She didn't know as she said it's MISS TAN's job. Fine. I asked her to call MISS TAN and I wanted to meet her. She replied: "I called her just now about a case before you but she didn't even coming down". Fuck. I felt like screaming and shoot this MISS TAN's head. She photocopied my letter and receipt and told me that will pass to MISS TAN. I asked her when? She said as soon as possible. I asked again and streghten the word WHEN. She said you have to ask MISS TAN about that. What??? She wrote MISS TAN's phone number on my letter. Before lunch yesterday, I called up MISS TAN and you know what? She didn't even know who am I. I hadto read my novel again till she understand (I knew she kept searching for my letter on her table!) and replied she will fax the documents after hang up the call. Grr!

At 5pm (I called her at 11am ok?) the KL department who I dealt in the bank earlier on called me and told me they will investigate my case on Monday. WTF??? I asked him why Monday and what took him so late to inform me about this? He told me MISS TAN faxed to him at 5pm and he called me instantly. OMG...!!!

Thanks to Kak Ina as I know you have done your best. Thanks to Yana (can't remember her name) for filling the form everytime I go to see you for the payment. Thanks to MISS TAN for at least fax the document. Thanks to the guy in KL too as I didn't ask his name.

This is the first and last time I'm dealing with CIMB. Sayonara!