Dollar episode

Dollar episode

I decided to close my BALIDOLAR account with Bank Bali's
Pondok Indah branch on Feb. 17, 1999. After the usual deductions,
the final figure I was to be paid was US$190.57. The bank staff
informed me that they were not in a position to pay me my due
since they did not have dollar bills in less than $100
denominations. I made a counteroffer to them by saying that I was
willing to forego the loose change and would give them a $10 bill
so that they could pay me $200 to square off the account.

The strange answer was, "Bookkeeping practice does not allow
us to do this!"

The bank's intention was to partly pay me in rupiah, so it was
willing to offer a $100 bill and the balance in rupiah converted
at the bank's exchange rate. After I made some noise, the staff
agreed to pay the full amount but brought in another clause which
until then had not being exercised. I would now have to pay an
additional 3 percent on the total amount, a charge the bank
levies in case a customer wants his money in U.S. dollars.

I agreed to take this option, but then again came the question
of the smaller denominations not being available. Finally, I
relented due to paucity of time and the amount involved being too
small to fight for. All along, I asked to see the manager, who
refused to come out and hear my contention.

In conclusion, the positive side of this episode is that I am
finally detached from this unprofessional bank. I would
appreciate if the bank's PR or any other department did not waste
its time in clarifying this episode (or even apologizing).
Instead, they can spend that time in doing some introspection and
finding ways and means to improve their services.

RAHUL KAPUR

Jakarta