Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

For some reason HSBC decided that despite having 4 years left on our credit cards they would renew them anyway. After the usual courier could not deliver mularkey we were instructed to pick them up from the bank. This took around 20mins in branch initially then all the poo hit the fan. We showed passports, which is normally enough to satisfy identity to most but not HSBC as my signature was not satisfactory, I showed other cards with slight variations , no good so I then had to climb up on the counter and hang over it to see what I was trying to match only to find out they had my wifes signature on my details so no wonder but this was ok and easily changed.

I was then instructed to go and refresh the pin on the card, a simple operation which took a mere 48 mins during which I was subjected to a dreadful soundtrack which varied in volume and should be considered as a less humane form of torture than waterboarding but we got there in the end and my wife followed with hers which was by comparison relatively straightforward. The real icing on the cake in this premier banking experience was receiving further notice that we were also going to receive much un-needed debit cards for which I am sure we will have an equally tortuous procedure.

Over, no way, not on your nelly. Went to use said card today, refused, same with wife's but current debit card OK. Back on the phone to HSBC told I need to refresh PIN (again) did this but then explained that we never got to the PIN stage in the transaction, it was suggested that the machine was not working but it worked OK for the debit card. Then her screen was not working, on hold 5 mins with suicide music again only to be told I should try the card in an ATM. So after well over and hour on the phone (just me not combined) + the farce in the bank I am really no further forward so I am going to go to the branch and try to fix once and for all.

It really is just unbelievable that a major world bank can be this incompetent.

Thanks for listening, rant over and feel better than I would have done if I had smashed my phone into a million pieces like I was tempted to!

Ahhh

And

Relax!

Oh dear Jonnie.....well have to say my own experiences of HSBC over here have been pretty abysmal. I have had many problems with them, unreliable ATM's, and yes problems getting cards. I only keep it as it is linked to my UK account. But, something interesting to note is the fact that apparently HSBC are considering pulling out of the Turkish banking (Brazil also apparently). They are the top of the list of possible sales to other banks.....so watch this space methinks.

We had a similar problem,only worse last year.Wont go into detail but it took four months to receive my new cards from UK. So many mess ups,they payed us £750 compensation.Really was a dreadful customer relations set up.Luckily we were able to use my wifes if neede.

Becker wrote:...Luckily we were able to use my wifes if neede.

A much better idea than spending your own money!

Go to the top of the class

After an unfortunate encounter with an MRI scanner I lost all my cards - but the UK one arrived before the local ones. And the new local ATM card won't give me a choice of language so is virtually useless until I learn Turkish.

JBA wrote:...so is virtually useless until I learn Turkish.

Don't despair!

You probably only need about 20 to 30 words or so, in order to cover the vocabulary used by an ATM - a quick flick though 'Google Translate' will have you proficient in no time!

If you've got a 'Smart Phone' you can even aim the camera at the screen, and Mr Google will not only translate it for you, he'll read it out loud

The dream of a 'Universal Translator' a la Star Trek is not that far away, methinks!

New card arrived via courier. Now given up with the systemic ,
'phone nonsensical interrogation. New bank calls!

How do you get your new cards from uk? and how long does it take
Jo

Banks closed today so that is another day for me to cool off, or get more heated.....

New cards arrived by Courier, no problem. Called the number given and after about 20 mins was confirmed that my pin was registered. Tried the card the next day in two supermarkets. Fist one I had to sign, second one I put in PIN and no problem. No problems with new pin at all. That is my experience with the new card which, by the way, they changed because they have a new logo!
What I find frustrating is that when there is some god-forsaken promotion on your account, then you cannot access the English option on the ATMs.

I am waiting for a new card which is due for this month anyway. They sent a letter saying it was being posted to me, so I am awaiting with trepidation in hopes it does arrive, but when? I tried to phone them to say that wasnt safe and ask how did I register, but I borrowed a friend's Skype (I really can afford overseas calls at peak times) and between the strange accent and interference with Skype after 35 minutes I gave up because I could not understand what he was saying.

Assuming I will get the card eventually, could you be kind enough carrierbag to talk me through the registration procedure? Did you have to hold on 20 mins or did they call back. Did you use a land line or mobile?

PS my HSBC card is in sterling (I use a local one in TL for day to day purchases) and I dont have a Bank account with HSBC

A good suggestion would be to have several different ways of obtaining cash plus a "float" stashed away somewhere in the house.

I know banks (and other businesses) should do better but they have been pulling our puppet strings for years now so that we have got used to all the "systems" they have in place despite some of them being slightly ridiculous. We should really vote with our feet (but human nature likes familiarity).

I personally have a couple of ways to obtain cash, and keep a small amount in the house so if all hell breaks loose I can at least eat and pay bills.

I am not talking about money for everyday purposes, I two local accounts and cards for that.

I am talking about a UK card in sterling supported by funds in a UK bank account, in case I need to return to UK in a hurry and need cash in sterling, or for medical emergencies when I might need to draw extra funds from uk sources easily and in a hurry.

Josie wrote:How do you get your new cards from uk? and how long does it take
Jo

Have you got a contact address in the UK .. Friend or family ..
Is your card registered to an address in the UK ..

mrsgee wrote:Oh dear Jonnie.....well have to say my own experiences of HSBC over here have been pretty abysmal. I have had many problems with them, unreliable ATM's, and yes problems getting cards. I only keep it as it is linked to my UK account. But, something interesting to note is the fact that apparently HSBC are considering pulling out of the Turkish banking (Brazil also apparently). They are the top of the list of possible sales to other banks.....so watch this space methinks.

...and pulling out of the UK also...http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32443930

Dalartokat wrote:

mrsgee wrote:Oh dear Jonnie.....well have to say my own experiences of HSBC over here have been pretty abysmal. I have had many problems with them, unreliable ATM's, and yes problems getting cards. I only keep it as it is linked to my UK account. But, something interesting to note is the fact that apparently HSBC are considering pulling out of the Turkish banking (Brazil also apparently). They are the top of the list of possible sales to other banks.....so watch this space methinks.

...and pulling out of the UK also...http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32443930

It's all very well having a pop at banks in the UK and sticking extra taxes on them but it is a massive sector of income for the UK and keep making it difficult and they will up and off to some country that wants them.

unfortunately not everyone has families, and as ones gets older and less able ones friends die,or become old and infirm themselves!. Of my two most reliable friends in the UK (very inconsiderately for me one h" got fed up with the UK and is talking of going to Thailand! and the other is moving home in the UK and has enough problems getting their own post forwarded without the additional responsibiilty of mine

In any case (despite the fact that at the last renewal I had pointed out the risks and delays of overseas post) Access had posted the card without consultation and cant even tell me the date of posting. I am still waiting for it, and it expires next week

Ragged Robin. There is nothing to talk you through really. There is a number with the new card. I called from my mobile as that is all I have. I selected the English option and I spoke to a man. I told him I had a new card and needed to sort a new pin. He asked me some security questions and then he put me through to an automated machine that told me to punch in my new pin, which I did, then I had to repeat it. It said my pin was registered. It then took me back to the man who confirmed the new pin was registered and that was it. Not difficult at all.

Yes, that's what I did years ago. Then when I used it at an HSBC ATM the machine snatched it!

The staff sorted that out once I had got the card back the next day, tried it in the ATM again, snatched again.

Happily, Julie managed to sort it in the end.

Thanks for the info carrier bag, though maybe I am simple, but it doesnt sound so to me, but helps to know what to expect.

More important even with a land line twenty minutes overseas phone call is more than I can afford; I dont see why I should keep having to dig into my hard earned savings for medical care and help in old age for the sake of a greedy and inefficient financial sector.

RR, you've obviously got a computer or some device that connects to the internet, so assuming that you have a halfway decent internet connection, all you need to do is install Skype on your computer / device, and then you can make calls to UK landlines for 1.7 p per minute.

I note that you said that you had a bad experience using a friend's Skype, and fair enough, it can happen, but I use it all of the time, and mostly it's crystal clear, with no problems at all.

If you do happen to get a dodgy connection, just ring off, and ring back again, - that usually does the trick. If not, check that your internet connection is running OK, and that it doesn't need re-setting (as detailed in earlier 'internet' discussions) after a power cut...

With the greatest respect, I can't see that it's their fault that you're having to dig into your savings to make 'phone calls anyway - after all, it was you that chose to live abroad - 'they' didn't force you, and as I have said above, there are cheaper alternatives

If you need help setting up Skype, you only have to ask!

Keith; Not wishing to pick an argument but if anyone else says "You chose to live abroad" I will do something regrettable. I chose to live in N. Cyprus nearly twenty years ago when life was natural, peaceful - and admittedly cheap, and noone had a computer and few had mobile phones! I wanted, after years of "driving a desk" I came here because, among other reasons, it offered the opportunty for an open air more natural life. Now I seem to be spending all my time tied to a computer trying to protect the funds I worked and saved hard to have a decent retirement and care in old age.
p
Knowing there would be communications problems I reorganised my finances to require minimum maintenance (including setting up standing orders incl. for credit card) and told all those concerned that I would be living here and got them to confirm they would provide service here!
Unfortunately I forgot my crystal ball, and did not foresee the losses resulting from the global financial market , nor how Greedy ruthless, heartless , and paranoiac financial services would become, or how adversely North Cyprus would be effected.



Even so, and with only enough money to live frugally, and maintain funds for illness, I would still have a better life than in the Uk - for one thing if I have problems with the account I use for day to day expenses at least I can get to my local Bank and talk to a real person!

to be continued

continued...............

Some years ago I accepted the inevitable, bought a Pc, got an internet connection and paid for lessons in using it (obviously not enough!), to avoid the cost and inconvenience of contacting the UK by telephone at peak hours. I also spent money on various extras such as printer, speakers, wireless router. I tried Skype but had problems which would take too long to enumerate but included the fact at the time there were no post codes for N. Cyprus. btw do the new postcodes work with the internet? I have heard of other , included on this Board, who have problems hearing Skype.

I am with Multimax and their speeds to vary according to time of day and week; but at the time I borrowed my friends phone it was working perfectly on other functions , includingTV which is always to first to respond to slow speeds.

Over the last few years, since the sad death of closest friends, I make very few overseas phone calls . Only one since July last year and that was to my Bank who refunded the cost as it resulted from their error!

I have a land line and a simple mobile phone only for calls and messages, which I carry because of my health problems for emergencies.

I really appreciate your offer of assistance , and may take you up on it - when I actually get the card or decide it has gone astray

Mean time could you very kindly give me an indication of how much subscribing to Skype would cost, and what "extras" I would need and how much they would cost.




de

Hi RR, As usual, I 'went at it' full pelt...

Life is a challenge, isn't it, and it doesn't get any easier - but never give up!

Skype costs nothing to download and install, and you can buy as little as 10 Euros worth of credit for calling ordinary 'phones (landline or mobile) anywhere in the world - you can opt to have a monthly subscription to a particular country, but if you'not likely to use it much, just go for 'Pay as you go' - then the credit only gets used on calls that you actually make.

On PAYG, the cost per call is dependant on where the 'phone that you are calling is situated, (not based on where you are calling from) and whether it's a mobile or a landline. Instructions for buying Skype credit are here and PAYG calls costs to the UK are detailed here (in Euros). I'm not sure why the lack of a postcode would cause you issues, would you care to elaborate?

If you haven't got a microphone, then you will need one of those - there is normally a socket to plug it into (it may be 'round the back' if you have a large 'box' type PC, rather than a laptop, although some boxes do have one on the front). I'm sure that someone will have a spare one sculling about if the worst comes to the worst...

You mention that you have speakers, so you shouldn't need anything else really.

A webcam is nice if you are using Skype to talk to friends on their computers (for free!) but is superfluous otherwise (plus, if you haven't got a webcam, you don't have to look your best ).

There is a useful guide to using Skype here, and I have to say that it has improved enormously since I first started using it. There are alternatives to Skype, using the internet to make 'phone calls, and some people swear by some of those other systems, but I've never found any compelling reason to change...

I installed viber onto my iphone and use that to call my daughters mobile. She has it on her phone and its free for us to chat for hours.It does fade sometimes but we just redial.

Sorry for the delay in acknowledging your suggestions, Keith, and thanks for trying: unfortunately I do not have any of th eprogrammes apparently necessary for accessing Skype. I do have a microphone and headphones from the previous attempt but have changed PC since so would need to check they fit.

As for challenges: health (human and canine) and domestic problems and their costs, the results of an all advised investment, and just keeping an old house and garden going with mobility problems and without withdrawing funds reserved for serious illness are quite enough to exhaust me. If I had the money or time for another challenge I would have another go at learning Turkish, or do more for a Charity I enjoyed being a voluteer for in happier days, not subsidise the financial and/IT sectors of commerce with my time and savings!

Meanwhile I still have not got the new card, and dont know how I am going to renew passport and UK DL if I do not.

Keith: You asked about postcodes, and I got diverted.

When I first went "on line" everytime I wanted to register for something they wanted a post or zip code, As the TRHC had no codes at the time, I used the codes of the house I then owned in UK (though it was rented out).

I dont seem to have needed it recently , but when post codes were introduced here I noted that they could be used for the internet but wondered if it works as they dont have the same configuration of figures and letter as UK codes.

Out of interest and for possible future use, I just wondered if the new TRNC Postcodes do work when registering on a site.

I don't know - never tried it...

I have used 'Mersin 10' in the past though.