Since I have been trouble finding shoes lately I have been turning to the web. The main problem with this is that you need a credit card to buy anything. Back when I lived in the US I didn’t have this problem since my bank issued me a Visa Debit Card. These cards are great since they have the same functionality of a credit card, but instead of borrowing money it takes it straight from your bank account.
About a year after I arrived in Taiwan, I opened a bank account at Chinatrust. I picked Chinatrust since their ATM machines are in all of the 7-11’s and those stores are everywhere. It made sense at the time, I didn’t want to have to pay a fee every time I took out money.
Now things are different and I need that visa debit card to make my online purchases. I knew Chinatrust offered the card so I headed out to get myself one.
We Are Family?
When I arrived at the bank I got my little ticket and waited in the waiting room for the next available agent. When it was my turn, I went and sat down and started to tell the employee about what I needed. When I was finished the employee just said “sorry”. I was confused and asked, why he was sorry. He told me that since I was a foreigner, that I couldn’t have a debit card. If I was a “local” then it would not be a problem. I told him that I didn’t want a credit card, I wanted a debit card. I knew I had to repeat myself, since unless you’re very clear on what you want, people will fuck up everything. Again he told me that since I was a foreigner that I wasn’t allow a debit card, even though the bank is in no risk of loss, since all purchases made from that card comes straight from your bank account and if you don’t have the cash, you will be rejected at purchase.
If I was applying for a credit card I would understand completely, but it’s a freakin debit card! I asked the man what other bank offered debit cards to foreigners and he didn’t know. He then suggested I go to other banks and ask. When he said this, I said “So you want me to take all my money from your bank and invest it somewhere else?” Well that made him realize he was an idiot for suggesting I go ask other banks.
I then said to him, “If you came to my country and asked for a debit card we wouldn’t deny you because the color of your skin”, I paused for effect then continued, “I think I’ll come back tomorrow and close my account and move my money to a bank that is interested in my money, fuck your bank!” I turned slowly and walked out.
I have heard that Taipei Fubon Bank or Megabank offers debit cards to foreigners, but haven’t had a chance to confirm this. I just think it’s retarded to deny people for a risk-free service that the bank provides to any legal age Taiwanese, but since I wasn’t born here I don’t matter. Does my money matter to you Chinatrust? Does my friends with their money waiting to be invested matter? Well I am not like you Chinatrust, I don’t care where you’re born, or what you can offer me, I have a present for you. It’s useful and I’m sure you will get many many hours of enjoyment out of it, while I take my money from you and go somewhere that appreciates it.
My Gift To You, Chinatrust
Now go fuck yourselves!
Entries (RSS)
January 18th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
It’s not because of the color of your skin or where you were born; it’s because you’re a foreign national.
January 19th, 2008 at 12:02 am
I know it wasn’t because the color of my skin, I just said that to get a reaction. I still think it’s messed up that they won’t issue them to foreigners.
January 19th, 2008 at 7:52 am
yikes, Malcolm X. Good luck.
January 23rd, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I think we should someone keep track of corporations in Taiwan and their level of customer service (or lack thereof). I too have been frustrated with not being able to buy shoes my size in Taiwan (although I got lucky once in Hsi Men Ding in Taibei) and that foreign nationals can’t get credit or debit cards.
January 23rd, 2008 at 11:10 pm
That is an excellent idea. Perhaps I will add that to my site, and people can leave reviews or comments on it. I was getting bored and need something else to occupy my time.
January 25th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
That’s just crazy! Maybe it’s just that branch. When we opened our accounts with Chinatrust, we were given debit cards immediately. We were lucky to have help though. Our bosses asked us to open accounts at Chinatrust and accompanied us to the bank to make sure we didn’t have any problems. I haven’t been back to the bank with my boss since then. To date, their service is hit-and-miss. I’ve wired money home to Canada but I have good days and bad days with them. The staff are generally not well-prepared for dealing with foreigners or their banking needs, despite the fact that foreign teachers from our school have been dealing with that branch for years. It’s really too bad. Can someone go with you to another bank to help you sort it out?
January 26th, 2008 at 5:12 am
Perhaps it’s just the branch. I’ll try another branch to see if I can get a different result. If I do succeed then I’m going back to the dumb branch and rub it in their faces!
June 26th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Dude I don’t know what’s up with that.. I had a china trust account and I had a debit card.. maybe they have changed the rules recently or that guy was just a dumb ass…. to my knowledge all banks here provide debit cards regardless of your nationality.. I have had accounts a 5 or 6 different banks over the years (different jobs made me open new accounts)
June 26th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
But did you have a Chinatrust debit card with a Visa logo? Were you able to use it anywhere that accepts Visa, including online purchases? If so, I’ll go try another Chinatrust branch.