HSBC - the world's bank? (HSBC)

Member Name: Froggerella

Product:	HSBC
Date:	12/10/08 (78 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very few problems with them in the past

Disadvantages: Not great on the customer service when you DO have a problem

I've had an account with HSBC for a few years now, and didn't have any problems with them up until this past summer. I was going abroad for a couple of months, and phoned up to inform them when and where I was going, as I would be requiring the use of my card while I was there. The guy on the phone who I spoke to was very friendly and helpful, and put it all on the system fine - there were no problems there.

The actual problem was that I'd been told my card would work EVERYWHERE (I checked, ensuring they knew every country I was going to, they said I would have no problem at all), since it had the Cirrus sign on it, and they knew where I was going. This turned out to be a lie - in a lot of the places I visited in Europe, my card just wouldn't work for no reason at all - the only excuse it gave in each machine was something to do with my bank. Obviously, this was a huge problem when I was trying to access my money for something as vital as eating...

When I got home, I complained to the bank about it. Their reaction? "It should have worked everywhere, we're sorry that it didn't." No further explanation or investigation into it, which I would have appreciated, since I plan on returning to those places I visited in the near future.

But other than that, no problems. Apart from the very moody staff who used to work in my local branch - and now seem to have (mostly) been replaced.

Summary: Fairly good.