Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Being a forward thinking sort of bloke, and knowing that there was a public holiday looming,I trotted round to credit west in Catalkoy yesterday morning to withdraw some beer tokens from the ATM for the holiday period.

This was about 11am-and there was a notice that said the bank was closing at 12.
The machine was in the process of being filled up,and was not working.
So rather than queue up and withdraw cash I (on the advice of one of the staff who assured me it would be working soon)went to purchase some lovely cushions from the haberdashers at the other end of the mall.

Upon my return, the bank was still open, but there was a big queue inside(why did they triple the size of the branch but not improve the waiting time).
So I took my chances with the machine-still not working.
So I thought, I will come back in the morning.

This morning I was at the ATM at 'sparrow fart'(very early).
Not only was the machine not working , it was switched off.
Then panic was starting to set in-I had TL 35 to last me until next Monday.

I then visited every cash machine in the Catalkoy/Ozankoy/Karakum/Girne area to no avail-they all spat my pristine card out with disdain.

I resorted to drawing out TL300 on my credit card(at huge expense no doubt) from the Afikans bank machine in Karakum.

My card must be OK-as I would not have been able to make a withdrawal,and I can't believe the machines have been emptied so quickly.

Keith Caley(The most helpful and well informed person on here) -what should I have done?-and should I ask Creditwest for the credit card charges back?

Has any other Kibkomers been subjected to my ordeal?
PS-There was TL12,000 in the account I was trying to withdraw from.

Why is it that these things always happen on Friday afternoons or at holiday times? Murphy's law seems to be in operation.

However, I am sure the only way to get answers is to talk to the Bank(s). You seem to havbe tried more than Creditwest, but with no luck, so maybe there was some dirt on your card. Happens sometimes. I would not have thought you could make any claim on the bank. After all, maybe you could have borrowed a few bob from a mate until the banks opened after the holiday.

Very frustrating isn't it. But we also had problems when we lived in Australia with Lloyds back in U.K. HUGE headache, and one can get angry, can't one?

I don't think that any Kibkomer will be able to answer you, as this must be spoken with the bank, but I am sure plenty of us will proffer sympathy for the sheer frustration you must have felt.

Hope your card words in future. Maybe you need a new one!?

Can you use your card to purchase your beer with?
Thats what I did today, used my debit card to do the shopping and kept my cash in my pocket

Phil, Im sorry to have to tell you this, but I've never managed to get cash out of a Creditwest machine using my Creditwest 'cashcard/ATM card' - and I know others who haven't as well!

If there is a 'trick' to this, would someone please let me know?

And you stand as much chance of getting compensation as... as a thing with not very much chance

Incidentally, I thought that you could only use the ATM card to withdraw cash from a non-interest-earning current account - 12,000 TL seems rather a lot to keep in such an account - it could be earning you around 100TL a month in interest!

Keith.
The card I use is one of those Creditwest 'cardplus' cards which double up as a mastercard credit card and a debit card-I think they work in about 6 other banks machines (allegedly!).
Never had a problem before,apart from a couple of weeks ago when the machine stole my card.
You are right-I don't normally have that much in my current account,but I have some big ticket items to purchase this month-assuming I can get my money out that is!

I have used my Creditwest cardplus card to get money from their atm's for the past 3 years and have never had a problem. They also work in Limmasol bank atm's.

I'm going to have one last go at this, and if I can't get it to work, I'll ask the girls to come out and give me 'the benefit of their experience'

Not sure if this is in the same vein but tried to withdraw money on Monday from UK acct using hole in the wall here - after several attempts at different banks began to think there may be a problem - there was - was told by Santander I had exceeded my usage - I hadn't - but unfortunately one bank recorded my withdrawl even though I didn't get the money and now due to Beyram the banking system will not be able to rectify it until at least Monday. Luckily had sterling at home that I could change.

Haven't had any problems with ATM's at Creditwest using UK card, but please have sympathy with those of us who have their Interest Day on 30th October. It was bad enough in Karaoglanoglu branch the day before Bayram, can you image what its going to be like the first day after. We'll have to start queuing at day break. Oh joy!!

@philoz, putting together pieces I have gathered from your post, we can follow this path for some conclusions

1. cardplus is issued from a single entity which is formed by 6 banks combined and this entity decides on your credit limit and this card should work 'out of the box' once you set your pin number (as a credit card).

2. you mention your card was eaten by the machine a some time ago, what was the outcome of this incident?
....a) did they take out and give you your old card back at that time?
........i)if yes, what was the reason why your card was taken from the machine?, have you done any withdrawals from that time till this incident?
....b) did they issue you a new card?
........i)If yes, have you ever successfully withdraw from atm after you got your new card?
............if yes, you need to speak to the bank.
............if no, I believe your problem is that they havent (or havent correctly) associated your card with your bank account so to allow you to make withdrawals from there.

Hope this logic helps.K.

K'inell!

Thinking about it, I think this should definitely be reported to the Bank , though recovery of expenses is problematical. It could be some error or malfunction that they are unaware of and should be put right.