For “My Protection”, But Where’s The Customer Service?

While driving home late one night from work I stopped into a Wendy’s Restaurant for a quick meal. I hand over my credit card for payment; it’s denied. What, how can that be?

A few minutes later my wife calls me to say that she just got a call from the credit card company, the bank, saying they want to speak to me about the card.

As I walk in my house door, I can’t wait to call the card company up to find out what happened.

“Mr. DiGioia, my apologies, but it seems your card has been compromised and, for your protection, we will immediately cancel the card and issue another one”, the telephone rep states.

“Oh, alright, thanks,” I say. Now here’s the kicker

“We will issue a replacement card right away but it will take 7-10 days to be received”, the rep continues.

7-10 days? How can that be?

In today’s economy, with all our capabilities and technology, there must be a better way to put a replacement card into the hands of a poor soul like me, one that is at the mercy of a potential credit card thief.

The credit card company did provide great service by protecting me from the apparent potential theft of my information and its quick notice. But they later failed by not having a procedure to replace the card in a timely manner.

Now, “for my protection”, I am subjected to a week and a half wait? Just doesn’t make sense.

Couldn’t they make arrangements at the local bank branch to have the card replaced, coded with my information and activated right away without my having to be without a card for so long?

Seems like the way to go if the business desires to provide top level service.

We can enter Costco and in 5 minutes have a photo taken and new membership card issued. Then, before we know it, be on our way down the aisles to spend money. But the bank can’t do the same?

7-10 days to wait? Is that in my best interest? There MUST be a better way