#Letter: Bank wanted to charge me R160 for providing change
"Standard Bank does not give one the possibility of obtaining small denomination notes at an ATM, forcing you to go to the teller" - Markus Kämpf.
Ballito resident Markus Kämpf writes:
In my opinion Standard Bank is applying unfair business practices.
I maintain accounts with Standard Bank and, whenever necessary, make cash withdrawals at the ATM.
The problem is, unlike ATMs in certain European countries, you do not get the option to select whether you want notes in large or small denominations.
You receive R200 and R100 notes, sporadically perhaps a few R50 notes.
To have change available for car guards and so on, I then go to the teller to get change – normally 10 x R10 notes and 5 x R20 notes.
Yesterday though, the teller at Standard Bank in Ballito informed me he would have to charge me R160 for providing change.
Perhaps to avoid me making a scene, he did accommodate me at no cost after a brief discussion this time round.
I phoned the Standard Bank Contact Centre to query the situation, and was told the information I received at their Ballito office was incorrect.
A charge is only applied for individuals who are not Standard Bank clients.
Okay – so I decided to lodge a complaint against the branch office for attempting to rip me off.
After lodging the complaint, Standard Bank in Ballito phoned me, informing me that making change is only without cost if you have a business account. In all other instances, a charge of R160 applies.
Apart from the branch office and the contact centre saying different things, what does this mean? Basically, three things:
1. Standard Bank does not give one the possibility of obtaining small denomination notes at a ATM, forcing you to go to the teller.
2. They then charge you R160, something which is clearly not in line with a fair business practice.
3. Finally, many individuals in South Africa are dependent on receiving small tips. Car guards is one example. What Standard Bank is now doing will result in these individuals receiving even less than they already do.
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