Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ninjaniki]

The first time I went to Woori bank to ask for an international debit card the teller looked at me with disgust and said "no no card for foreigner". So a few days later I called Woori bank's helpline number and they told me yes you can have an international card simply go to the bank and ask for one. So the next day I went to a different Woori bank and asked for an international card, and the teller just said "Visa or Mastercard." I chose Visa. It seems you may have to try different branches of the same bank because there is no consistency.

[calicoe]

OK, I just got back from Rome and Southern Italy where I tested my KEB- issued Visa atm card for the first time. I specifcally went to that bank in Wonju because I was told they issued cards to foreigners, and was told "no problem". Well, I'm sorry to report: "problem."

The first time I try to use this card was at an international bank in Rome, with service for every international logo imaginable. I hit it for 50 euro the first time .... nothing. Tried again a second time, same thing. A bank guy came out and advised me not to hit it too often at once or the machine would take it away and they could do nothing. So, for the first week of my vacation I have to go into scarcity mode and conserve the amount that I did bring, just in case (1,000 euros).

I go on to Napoli, and find results from the Bank of Napoli. On one day I can't withdraw more than 70 euro, on another it's 120, wtf - are my parents deciding when to dole out money to me on my account? But cheers and good times again, because it works and I can live it up on holiday, as I planned when I deposited plenty of money into my account.

A week later, I move on to Sicily and visit the Bank of Sicily, with all international logos and functions. Again, no money. I spent the last week of my holiday in serious famine mode down to the last euro, then I get to a bank at the airport and just as a test withdraw, and am able to get 70 euro. Oh, gee, thanks - just as I'm waiting for my plane in an overpriced duty-free zone.

So, techincally it worked, but definitely not on demand, and I call that a serious problem and highly unreliable for an international bank card. An unreliable bank card defeats the very assurance and security that you are seeking when you depend on a bank card rather than walking around with your own cash. I'm closing my account because who needs this crap on vacation with my own money.


*edit added: oh yeah, forgot to say that the first time the thing started working was after I called my Korean co-teacher from Napoli and asked her to talk to the bank. I guess I needed her blessings again for Sicily, go figure. I certainly can't figure this nonsense out.

[cdninkorea]

I've just read this horrible story from the previous poster. Did you go back to the bank and demand an explanation?