Smart :-) and How do you say collect call in Ukrainien ? or Russian ?
The way to do is to call them prior to departure and adviucer them you are aboard+ country list.
For info I did take a travel assurance with HSBC for this period ... useless.
Originally Posted by freeier:
-
13-09-2006, 09:46 AM #11
-
-
13-09-2006, 11:36 AM #12
HSBC- the world's worst bank.
the truth is that they don't give a stuff about you- the average Joe. When you have Mimi spending millions on dancing lessons you have to wonder whether it is because they have spent any money on having branches and employing any customer service staff or whether it is because the give .0125% interest yet charge HKD50 to have a bank staement printed out.
As long as Citibank and Standard Chartered don't do anything about regular folk and only concentrate on the big stuff HSBC will continue to get away with making us grab our ankles every time we try and do any banking with them.
-
13-09-2006, 12:15 PM #13
This may seem drastic, but if you need to do something extraordinary with HSBC [like joint accounts] then head to Mui Wo, where you can chinwag with the manager no less.
I have done this sparingly over the years with excellent results, and in gratitude even opened a current account with them.
On a recent visit I was stunned to see the shutters down. A few enquires at nearby stores solved the mystery.
To save energy the branch is now open on Mon,Tue,Thurs and Friday, I alas was there on a Wednesday.
Oh and Flip-flops are de rigueur
-
13-09-2006, 12:27 PM #14
to be fair, hk is a capitalistic place. and banking is the most capitalistic business to make money. if they cannot charge u, and need to provide all the services, shareholders will vote them down by selling.
end of the day, the corporates go to where there is money. provide service where there are profits to be made. everyone can vote with the feet and go to the next bank.. there will be an equivalent point where u pay certain amount of money and get that required level of services. if consumers are still stuck with hsbc despite the bad services, it means other are not providing the same services at that price and still hsbc is the relative best choice.
this is something that most people can say it loud and righteous, but nobody knows how to solve the actual problem... the alternative is prob to vote in a socialistic government that collect tax and set up banks as services to the people...
someone has to feed the staff and maintain the infrastructure. if its not us, who ?
-
13-09-2006, 12:46 PM #15
, ,
Last edited by tx75070; 13-09-2006 at 12:48 PM.
-
13-09-2006, 12:47 PM #16
I guess it comes down to the point that we are in Hong Kong and that is just how things are around here. You are right. As much as HSBC frustrates me there doesn't seem to be a better option.
-
13-09-2006, 01:22 PM #17
i think hk or for that matter of fact singapore are quite priviledged in terms of banking services. in the israel u need to pay money for any transaction u want to carry out, be it deposit or withdrawal.. similar for japan. if u try to use the atm in the evening u are thrown with 7.50hkd charges each. bid-off spread for foreign exchange transaction are so wide u just can't imagine how that is a G7.
-
13-09-2006, 02:41 PM #18
I voted with my feet- we transferred all our money to a 7 day account with Anglo irish getting over 4% interest. HSBC didn't understand why we were withdrawing all our money in one go!
-
13-09-2006, 05:02 PM #19
Thanks to share the info asbout the 4% interest, wich bank ? Originally Posted by Lammarite:
heard that you can get 5% in offshore HSBC... any one try ???
-
13-09-2006, 05:28 PM #20
It's a US dollar account with Anglo Irish Bank. You can also do Euros and Sterling if you like. There are different rates for different currencies.
in Cantonese and Mandarin: When you speak Mandarin, people listen! Become fluent in
in Animal Rescues / Shelters: Need a four-legged companion in your life? Rather than buying
in Counselling / Therapists: ReSource is a non-denominational, multi-cultural centre
