Like several banks, they offer an online application process. Several weird things though: they asked for a lot of credit-oriented information, when frankly we don’t need any more credit. I obliged.
A few days later, we received e-mail back, instructing us to contact their call centre, in order to proceed with the application. Er … but all the relevant information that could be sent by telecommunications was already sent. Still, I called. As is typical with telephone-based customer service systems nowadays, there was a deep menu of options, none of which included talking to an employee. So I improvised with the “my card was lost and stolen” option. Ring!
What the dude on the other end had to tell me floored me. He advised that filling in the application online, or even via the telephone (another option mentioned on the web site), was a mistake. To save time, one should head to a “pavilion” (little retail outlet in a nearby supermarket) and start all over. He was not referring to the face-to-face identification formality that I expected, but outright disposing of the online application, and filling in a brand new paper form.
That is simply stupid. If the bank’s own people are going to tell prospective customers that they wasted time typing in information into the bank’s own system, then perhaps that online system shouldn’t exist in the first place.
Reading this story makes me want to reconsider dealing with them at all.
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I have been dealing with them for about 5 years, or feels it’s been that long. Anyways, the sign up was difficult. I signed up at the in-store pavillion. Then numerous phone calls were required afterwards. When I attempted to buy a GIC, it was a horrible experience, the person on the phone asked us to go to the pavillion and we had to fax in seemingly un-called for documents using the pavillion fax machine. It turned out each GIC was opened under a unique acct number, so when I tried to transfer the GICs to another institution, I had to fill out a transfer form for every GIC. Daily using of their services has been ok, I don’t have problems with their webbanking website. Though their rates are not that good. ING has better rates, easy acct open process and simply website. Li - 2005-10-06 19:15
Let me add, I received derogatory treatment when I went to their pavillion to apply for a mastercard. I went to the loblaws store at the corner of Finch+DonMills in Toronto. They staffed the mastercard desk with 2 youth, not the usual older pavillion staff type. The 2 youth ridiculed me and dissed about me between themselves, right in front of my face. I was very offended and complained to Loblaws management. In the end, there wasn’t much I could do. STAYAWAYFROM THEM! Li - 2005-10-06 19:27
Sad, but TD bank is just as bad. I have been dealing with TD bank for 10 years, and have been satisfied with their service and offerings. I even recommended someone I know choose TD. Except this TD brach at the corner of Fanshaw+Adelaide in London sucks. The woman was all nice to us. Except when the paperwork came in, the woman had opened 2 accounts, instead of 1 we asked for. What’s worse, the woman lost the cheque I gave to her to deposit. She had said we can leave cheque with her, and she’ll deposit it once the account was open. I called her repeatly, but she keeps denying we ever gave her a cheque. STAYAWAYFROMTHEM TOO! Li - 2005-10-06 19:44
We signed up with PC Financial Insurance at the end of April. Felt like I was forced too, told the guy on the phone I wanted to think about it & he said what is there to think about. Well, wish I would have thought about it harder. I have been waiting since May 19 for a refund on a policy they cancelled to re write a new one & they have the money for the new one too.
I emailed the ombudsman at Aviva Insurance (suppose to be their underwriter) to complain, because whenever I call looking for my refund I get a different story, anyway that was a week ago & he still hasn’t emailed me back either. If you think cheaper is better, let me tell you it isn’t. Can’t wait for my refund, I am then cancelling with them, somebody higher up should be looking into the way they are running this!!!!!!! Brenda (Email) - 2006-06-14 10:03