Korean Job Discussion Forums

[blackinque]

I have a PayPal account which I need to activate using a Korean card. Been trying to get a Korean debit card that would accept online payments to foreign sites for a year now(credit card is not an option). Did not have much luck, figured I'd try to insist over at KEB bank, since I'd heard they're more lenient. Told them I need a debit card which accepts payments to foreign websites, they searched a bit and told me this feature is reserved only to Koreans. I asked them why this is so, and they replied that such are the bank policies in this country. One employee assured me that the policies are identical in the US when it comes to debit cards you can use to pay online. He also suggested I make a credit card using a savings account, assuring me that this is the only way foreigners can obtain credit cards.

When it comes to bank matters, I had been held on a tight leash for two years now. Frustration was building up. This bank's refusal was the last straw:

Face went red, proceeded to tear up bankbook, my two cards, one of which I was told (by an employee who did not know what PayPal is) would work with PayPal, and threw them at clerks. Accused them of unscrupulous discrimination, cancelled account calling the bank useless and finally stormed out, head boiling with anger.

Steamed off a bit of pressure. It felt good.

[definitely maybe]

Things vary so much from branch to branch that it can be pretty tough. They tend to base discrimination on jobs for foreigners, as opposed to the outright fact that you are a foreigner. I know KEB allows foreign "professors" access to credit cards regardless of whether or not they have an existing bank account with them. That ought to make you angrier!

[Skippy]

Thanks for the good impression of foreigners.

As I understand no Korean bank debit card is accepted online. Actually I would expect it to be very similar around the world.

Why - money laundering, privacy,etc. People would just buy something from a friend to transfer money. The similar with paypal. The government wants to keep track of the money going in and out. I have heard some people have be able to register for the Korean paypal. Through I think that one needs a Korean Resident Number.

Yes the credit card can be unfair. Welcome to life. Public school or university teachers can get, hagwon teachers well generally out of the question. Why not take they tellers advice and go with the secured deposit credit card. Put 1.2 mill down get a mill won credit limit. My KEB one works overseas. Actually us ESL teachers are a credit risk. If teachers could get credit, I would expect to hear tales of people charging and then fleeing the country out of collectors reach.

Some advice. Stop expecting Korea to understand you. It can be from language to a process back home. Korea is used to doing things it's own way.

Understand human nature. Rather then spend a whole bunch of time trying to figure out if something can be done, many people will just say no.

[shostahoosier]

If you've been here for more than 1 year and work in a public school then you could have gotten a credit card with KEB.

I've gotten my Korean debit card to work online before. It's not very consistent though. Sometimes my KEB debit will work, other times my NH debit will work. I should say they dont work often though and I usually stick with my Korean credit cards.

[The Floating World]

So you got rude and irate at a bank clerk because you're not able to gamble online.

Good job!

[f12]

who uses paypal these days anyway?

opt for moneybookers or neteller

[Julius]

Don't know why you say "credit card is out of the question'.

Far from it.
Even if you have bad credit, you can still get a credit card..just you will have to pay a security deposit.

debit cards for online payments? pshaww

[ghostrider]

[tardisrider]

This will either amuse or annoy you.

A couple of years ago when my CC with WooriBank was about to expire, I received a notice that I needed to contact someone at their English speaking help line. I'd had my card for several years and when I called I was surprised to be told that the rules had changed and that to get a new card I'd have to put down a security deposit. I'd never had a security deposit before; the card was just tied to my account.

Annoying, but no problem really all things considered. The person on the phone said that I should go to the bank and then call her if I needed translation help. So I went to the bank on my uni's campus (where they know me and all the other foreign teachers at my school) and tried to explain what I wanted to do--set up a deposit for a "new" card, like the person on the phone had told me I must do. I think I was going to deposit a fairly decent amount, like 10 million or so.

My Korean is pretty good, but not perfect, so when the teller at the bank seemed to be confused, I called the person on the Woori hotline.

The bank teller talked on the phone for a second, then talked to her manager, then talked to the phone person and handed me the phone. The Woori helpline person then said to me "The manager says you don't have to put down a deposit; they're just going to renew your card. No problems."

Ta-Da. No problems ever since. I use my card frequently at atms and stores overseas, online for non-Korean websites, etc and have never had a bit of problem.

[detonate]

I assume this is really a thinly veiled request for psychological counseling.
There are some good threads about counseling on here, just do a search.
I hope you never do anything like that ever again in any place in any country.

This reminds me of a psychopath who was swearing LOUDLY at a bank clerk in Itaewon a while ago. It went on for more than 10 minutes, and all the bank employees were amazing. They just smiled and acted like he was acting rationally, and kept explaining bank policy to him nicely. The highlight was in between cursing and verbal attacks on the clerks, he pointed to his bank book and yelled, "LOOK AT HOW MUCH I'VE MADE HERE!"

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Steelrails]

This has to be made up. Next thing we'll hear is that he snapped the teller with his complimentary gift towel.

[coralreefer_1]

[Kimchifart]

Read the title to this thread and started pissing myself laughing. How many times have I experienced the classic Korean bank rage? Too many, too many.

[soulofseoul]

[quote="f12"]who uses paypal these days anyway?

opt for moneybookers or neteller[/quote]

Uhmmmmm...pretty much EVERY seller on ebay and other online websites

I should ask...who uses moneybookers? Never heard of them.
I really despise paypal but its almost the onlh form of online payments people will
accept besides direct cc payments