Customer Service
I usually dont like fighting losing battles and interacting with Customer Care is one such thing I always want to stay away from. But all the times I have tried voicing my opinion and request, I benefited from the process. The other two previous cases were with airtel and also Bharatmatrimony. :P I got back my money reversed in both cases.

Last week, while walking down CMH road, I saw this ICICI ATM with a fast moving queue, thanks to the 4 ATM machines and a security guy navigating and controlling the queue and I was impressed and wanted to check how much time it would take to withdraw cash and I withdrew Rs 4000 through my credit card.

This monday when I was looking at my current transaction statements, I saw a Rs 300 service tax + some crap 12.5% interest on the service tax. When I inquired, I realized they charge this for any transaction through a credit card even on an ICICI ATM. I wonder if they would charge Rs300+ even for a Rs 100 cash withdrawal.

I felt I had done the stupidest thing of my life, firstly I didnt require that 4k cash that day, secondly I had some ICICI debit card and also HDFC salary card through which I could have free transactions on any ATM. Thirdly, I made my usual mistake of assuming.

I made payment on all my outstanding balance and wrote an email asking why they dont advertise the service tax when they do so for all other benefits. I also mentioned I was an ICICI privilege customer for the past 5 years and have been paying my bills on time and as this was the first time I withdrew cash through my credit card, I was not aware of the service tax, and if there was any such thing, a good GUI on the ATM would have cautioned me about it. I also sent a request to cancel my card.

Today I got the Rs 300+ reversed to my account and I canceled my card cancellation request. For the past 3 days, any ICICI ATM I came across on the way, haunted me about my stupidity. I am glad its over now.

Btw, today I officially sent in my resignation. The tool says -> Tentative Exit Date : 2007-12-10. I will probably work till Dec end, 2007. I got a little over 2 months to start looking for jobs and also prepare myself to be jobless. No issuses with my present employer, just that life is taking drastic turns. If I am jobless, I am still confident, I can make a living by opening up my own website to hear and assist customer service grievances.