Blog
Goodbye St George
I've been a customer of St George Bank, and before that one of the previous incarnations, Advance Bank, for many many years. Since I was a teenager. They had one of the first online banking systems, and their service has always been pretty good -- pretty good by Australian bank standards, which is admittedly a pretty low standard.
It seems they're about to be gobbled up by Westpac, one of the behemoths of banking here with a well-deserved reputation for baroque systems and surly service. St George seem to be preparing for the merger by degrading their own service.
When we moved house last December, I changed the address online and, from what I could see, it was all there. We haven't been receiving our printed statements. Earlier this year I used their online contact form to ask about this, and received no response.
Now I need those statments to reconcile mortgage payments. Online records only go back 90 days. I phoned up to have the address updated properly and request the statements, and they want to charge me $4 for each statement going back to December! They offered to send me the last two for free, which isn't very useful given I can see that online. Given I pay $6/month for my account, which includes statements, and their system fault means I didn't receive them, it's pretty bloody rich!
I've lodged a formal complaint and will see where that goes -- though given the last time I tried to contact them through the same channel (I can't find a postal address for complaints!) I received no response, I'm not holding my breath. Their response to this will determine whether they keep my business. Though to be honest, if the merger with Westpac goes through I'll be looking for another bank anyway.
11 Jun 2008 12:17 [category: /grumble] #
Fastway: such great couriers
I've ordered something online and been given a tracking number from the company supplying it. Here's what I just saw when I looked up the tracking number.
I can tell you three things: One, I haven't taken delivery of the device. Two, I wasn't at home at 09:09 this morning. Three, that's not my signature. So whose signature is it?
I can only hope they've delivered it to my neighbour or something, otherwise the courier has committed fraud. Moral of the story: don't use Fastway!
08 Apr 2008 11:08 [category: /grumble] #
Learnings?!?!
When did learnings become an accepted part of business vocabulary for anyone other than faux-Eastern Europeans?
25 Mar 2008 17:14 [category: /grumble] #
Recruiters just don't get it
Recruiters just don't get this "ethics" thing, do they? With this behaviour, Charterhouse Partnership have joined my recruiter blacklist.
Yesterday I got this email from "Principle Consultant" Paul
Roberts:
Good Afternoon, I hope you don't mind the approach, I am emailing you as you have been or are currently registered with Charterhouse Partnership. I am currently working for a valued client and in such a tight candidate market feel it correct to pursue every avenue on their behalf, including possible referrals. The role I am currently recruiting is a Tax Specialist for a unique, global organisation listed on the ASX and headquartered in North Western Sydney. They have experience exceptional growth and hence increased complexity in their business, resulting in a newly created position as Tax Specialist. The role will work with an existing Tax Manager on tax compliance and planning issues across Australia and Asia Pacific. A package of between $80k - $100k is on offer, the role would suit someone with 1-4 years Australian tax experience. I am actively seeking candidates for the role so if you know of anyone that may fit the criteria please forward this email on to them straight away. If you can recommend a friend or colleague and they are successfully placed by Charterhouse Partnership (minimum 3 months), you will be rewarded with a $250 voucher of your choice. Paul Roberts Principal Consultant
When I complained an demanded they remove me from my database, I
got a perplexed reply, showing that he clearly doesn't understand why
I think spamming me to do his job for him is unacceptable.
Simon, I will happily remove you from our database but I don't think you have taken note of the email title or it's content. It was aimed at generating candidate referrals IE people you may know with Tax experience, NOT approaching you about directly about a Tax role. Good luck in the future.
So the only reason I'm in this recruit scum's database is because I've applied for a job at some point in the past. So keeping it in their database is solely for the purpose of finding me a job. If they have a relevant position for me, I'm happy for them to contact me. Offering me special offers and asking me to shop my mates around is not part of the deal.
How is this different from him sending me vouchers to save money at the supermarket?
I guess given the compensation model of recruit scum, this shouldn't be surprising. They have little incentive to avoid poisoning the well if it might help them do their job. Soon enough, they'll have their commission and move on. The company, however, won't be so lucky.
16 Nov 2007 11:42 [category: /grumble] #
Rip off Australian booksellers
What planet do these people live on with book prices in this country? Why certainly I'll buy William Gibson's new book from Angus & Robertson for $44.95 + postage when it's available from the US from $26.61 including postage.
I really was shocked, moving back to Australia, by how much books cost now. Sure, 10% can be blamed on GST but nearly double?
