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Bule_Gila · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 1:59 am Post subject: BCA Bank Clowns

I just returned from Singapore on the weekend. While in Singapore, I changed all my older American dollars for brand new, mint $100 bills. I did so because I wanted to open an American account with BCA Bank. I took these bills to the bank this morning and was told that they could not accept the bills. The bills I had were sequential and all had the HC numerical code (the code banks here ask for). I asked why they could not accept the bills and they told me a cock and bull story about how they use a different counter to count American dollars. When I asked what this has to do with my bills, they said that because the bills had a "wave" (not a fold) in the middle, it was possible for their counter to tear the bill, rendering it useless. I then asked the retarded teller to produce a bill that was in better condition than the bills I have (keep in mind that bills were brand new and are so mint, that the corners are not even bent and there is no wearing away of the ink). Of course they could do no such thing. The retarded lady who served me then suggested that I take my bills to the counter, exchange them to Rupiah, and then open the American dollar account, using Rupiah that would be changed back to American. I quickly accused them of being thieves because they will buy my bills at a low exchange, and when I sell back the rupiah, they will charge me a higher exchange rate. Needless to say, these people were not happy with what I had to say and I left the bank shouting "This is why Malays and Singaporeans laugh at Indonesia and call you people backwards!"

What is the point of offering an American account option if they are unwilling to accept American dollars? Just another fine example of the retarded nature of business here.

Atoms for Peace · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 135 Location: NKRI

I managed to break my key token I need for BCA Internet banking. I went to my home branch, and had to sit in front of the customer service officer and use her phone to call the Halo BCA helpline! They told me I could get a replacement that day, but the customer service women said no, it would take two weeks, unless I wanted to go to a main branch, in which case it would be instant. In the meantime could I fill out this huge form that asked me everything including my religion (?!)

After several weeks without a word, I went back to the branch and had to tell the whole story again. And the token they gave has since broken (no I didn't drop it) and I can't use it...

The problem with BCA, and many similar large companies, is that their attitude seems to be "so what if we lose a customer - there are plenty more out there"

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

phis · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 250

I opened a dollar account with bank mandiri. It was fast and easy. I was in and out in about 20 minutes, including time waiting in the customer line for my number to be called. Although the dollar bills were relatively new, I don't recall them being exactly 'pristine'.....

Bule_Gila · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 7:37 am Post subject:

I guess they want me to wait in front of the mint that prints the money, and take a sheet, right when it comes of the press. Then encase the bills between to plains of glass to ensure they do not get bent in any way....IDIOTS!

I will take your advice and check out Madiri. I am going to take my next months payent to that BCA and ask for US dollars. When they bring them out I am purposely going to go through all of them and tell the teller they are no good because they are not in the mintest (is that even a word lol) conditions, just to piss them off he he he

Atoms for Peace · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 135 Location: NKRI

What I don't understand is that in front of my BCA branch, there is one of those standalone advertising banners claiming that BCA will accept US dollars with writing on them, folds, staple holes and with any serial number...

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

bule_boy69 · Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 158 Location: Jakarta

wailing_imam · Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 580 Location: Malaya

Sounds like bule gila has a nasty dose of culture shock.

Also, it is Malaysians rather than Malays. Malays are simply one of the main ethnic groups of Malaysia, but are also found in coastal Kalimantan and Sumatra.

Bule_Gila · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 4:32 am Post subject:

I tried my luck with Mandiri and to my surprise, I was in and out of the Bank with an American Account in 15 minutes.

@BAsil

I expressed a little frustration and anger towards the teller. Needless to say the security guy who was present wanted nothing to do with me because I am 6'5, 230 lbs and he was literally half the man I was.

phis · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 250

Whoopee for Bank Mandiri!!! It's nice to report some positive news sometimes... rather than dwelling on the negatives, isn't it? Very Happy

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

Bule_Gila · Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 4:00 am Post subject:

I've been in Indonesia for quite some time (on and off) and it is amazing that Culture Shock can still creep up on me at times lol.

Henry I don't think they saw it as comical. The woman I was dealing with looked like a deer caught in the headlights and the security guard looked like A Japanese man screaming "GODZILLA!!!!" lol. Not mention that the Indonesians in the bank parted like the red sea when I was leaving the bank

malu · Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 1344 Location: Sunny Java

I have had a few run-ins with banks here over the years but even the crappiest, most unhelpful branch of BCA is a pleasure to deal with compared with any bank I have ever visited in China. I try to remind myself of that whenever I am having banking issues in Indonesia.