Matthew Roman

Union Bank Update

So finally after several weeks, UnionBank has reversed my annual charge. They finally got something done right.

Why UnionBank Sucks!

Last year, on August 2008, I was unfortunate enough to be offered a Credit Card by UnionBank, which I’ve accepted. In hind-sight, I realize that would have probably been the worst banking decision I’ve ever made in my life.

You see, last year, when I was offered their UnionBank Visa card, I also applied for an extension card. After weeks of delays, my card finally arrives, but with no extension card! I called their hotline and spoke to an English-challenged phone banker to complain about this; they apologized and told me that an extension card will be sent ASAP. After weeks of no word from this bank, I’ve called them back to check on the status, only to find out that they’ve lost my ticket and therefore have not processed anything. Talk about bullshit! I waited several minutes on hold during those calls only to find out that they were futile.

Paying my bills was a complete fiasco as well, not only do they arrive late, there’s no easy way to pay them unless you have a savings account there. Falling inline at UnionBank Plaza is extremely painful because the tellers are incredibly slow and unfriendly.

Last December, someone stole my wallet and I called UnionBank to report it. Their stolen card hotline has got to have the worst hold time from all banks. I’ve specifically asked the phone banker to block my credit card as stolen and to CANCEL my account. He acknowledged it. I asked for a reference number for future use, he said he can’t give me one because their system doesn’t have reference numbers (talk about stupid), but he reassured me that my card has been blocked and my account cancelled.

Now, here’s the part where they show their pinnacle of stupidity. Just today (9 months after I had my card cancelled), I got a billing statement from UnionBank charging me for annual renewal fees. They’re asking me to pay Php 1,500 pesos for a credit card that I do not have, I have not used entirely this year, and have cancelled 9 months prior!!

So I called their hotline and told the phone banker my situation. Guess what he asked me next? “Sir, in order for me to help you I would need your card number.” How could I give him a card number for a card I DO NOT HAVE and have CANCELLED over 9 months ago? Anyway, after much stumbling in the dark we finally managed to log my complaint.

After putting down the phone, I felt uneasy, expecting that phone banker to screw up my complaint again, so I called back and asked the next phone banker to read my logged complaint verbatim. Guess what she told me? She told me that I have asked for my card to be cancelled because I cannot pay my annual fee. Imagine how furious I got then. I had to reexplain my situation AGAIN to this new banker!

She then told me someone would be calling me in five days to confirm that my account has been closed and my billing issue rectified!

So now I’m left having to wait an entire week, just to confirm they they got their shit together!

I will never ever transact with UnionBank for the rest of my life! Not even if they pay me a million dollars!

They can’t even get their logs right, how can I trust them with my money?!

If I were you, I’d stay as far away from this bank!

Just bought a new car!

I’ve finally bought a car! It’s a 2006 silver Mazda 3 who’m Prin and I named “Marvin the Mazda.” Will post new pics soon!

Having my room renovated

So Princess and I have been looking at interior design pictures for the past few weeks and have finally decided on a look we want for our new bedroom/office/entertainment center.

The plan is to have this light mocha brown for our 3 walls and 1 french gray for the accent wall. We got new curtains, side tables, desks and lamp! Can’t wait to see the finished product!

I’ll post pictures of the new room here as soon as it’s done.