Comments | spicetrader: CitiBank vs Software troubleshooting techniques.

spicetrader

CitiBank vs Software troubleshooting techniques.

Jun 16, 2003 20:05

I keep having this problem where I try to buy gas by using my CitiBank ATM/debit card at the terminal on the pump, and the card is not even recognized as something to try and read. Not even an error. ( Its like the card is invisible to the terminal at the pump. )

Comments 6

l34f June 16 2003, 21:16:50 UTC

Every gas station, or just one particular kind of pump/reader? It's quite possible there is an incompatibility between a certain manufacturer's reader and the cards that citibank uses.

It would probably cost you more, in terms of time/convenience, than it would cost citibank to lose your business.

There's some rule about never confusing stupidity for malice, and i think it's quite applicable to large organizations, such as Citibank (meaning: they are probably just inept at dealing with this kind of systematic, probably "statistically insignificant" failure).

On the other hand, someone, at some level of Citibank, probably consciously made the decision to ignore any user issues until they exceed some percentage of users... which is probably cost effective, and a good example of why capitalism doesn't serve the consumer, in the end. ;)

spicetrader June 16 2003, 21:43:05 UTC

Something's going to change. I want the convenience of using my card at the pump. Its all pumps by the way. And Citi gives me no indication that they recognize an issue that needs investigation, let alone that they're going to solve anything. Evidence here suggests that they are denying problems that they know to exist, and while thats not malice, its dishonest and not a stance taken of ignorance. And its also the individual against the institution, another game I don't want to play. Ugh.

spicetrader June 16 2003, 21:45:57 UTC

Oh yeah. CitiBank is losing more than my business.

l34f June 16 2003, 21:56:04 UTC

Now that's what i like to hear!

waxphallusophic June 16 2003, 23:36:41 UTC

I'll sell you some gas.
...but I doubt methane would power your car.

(The comment has been removed)

greeklady June 17 2003, 09:44:09 UTC

In my experience asking for the supervisor is a 50/50 chance at getting someone who isn't overworked, underpaid and has an open mind to talk to you.

I would try for a 3rd card.

Is it just one brand of gas stations or all gas stations?
ie: all rotten robbies don't work but shell does?

Good luck... third time is a charm.