Embarrassed at Harrod’s
THE EDITOR: I wish to bring to your attention the following. I am writing on behalf of my mother, Mrs Gloria Marie Baptiste, pensioner/customer/account holder at a particular bank. On Friday December 23, 2005 she purchased 260 British pounds for travel to the UK on 24-12-2005. However on the first day my mother attempted some business, she was informed to her horror and embarrassment by employees at Harrod’s Department store that some of the notes she tendered were not viable — one 20 note was obsolete as new type notes had been minted with such information being conveyed to institutions worldwide and (b) two other notes were torn and as such were also unacceptable to be tendered. This situation repeated itself when she tried to tender the notes at some other institutions. I visited the bank institution on Friday December 30, 2005 to bring such anomaly to a supervisor in charge of banking services. I was directed to the public relations officer. When I explained the situation, I was informed immediately that we would not have proof that said unviable notes were purchased at the bank as serial numbers are not recorded, that of course her institution knew that new type notes had been minted so again it couldn’t come from the bank, additionally the teller should have given my mother the option of purchasing travellers’ cheques if there were torn notes, also that, if my mother still had her receipt, that some investigation would be done and the bank would buy back the notes. Finally, if it was indeed the bank’s fault then she was sorry and she hoped my mother was at relatives to alleviate the situation. I am extremely angry for many reasons as we had purchased the money at the bank and not some corner parlour to prevent problems like these. Additionally, it is obscene that responsibility is being shifted quite wrongly to the customer. GINA BAPTISTE San Fernando
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"Embarrassed at Harrod’s"