Just thought I would share this little experience with you all that at the time can be frustrating but on reflection just makes you grin and becomes just one of those little moments that endears Bali and its ways to you.
We decided that after 3 years of doing buisness out of Bali that we would finally open a bank account.... So made our way to BII with the passport and necessary info only to find the bank had closed early because they had no money!???? Go figure that one I thought to myself.When I asked what time the bank opened next day I was told maybe 9 am. Maybe??? Could we be a bit more specific.
Next day did eventuate and I was directed to Customer Relations counter. An old wooden desk with a chair either side and one draw. I was welcomed and promptly asked by the Bank staff memeber at the next desk "who was my hairdresser in Bali and that my hair was like a well known BAli celebrity." That one I would like to see!
Next the form came which was approx a metre in lenght and all in Indonesian with no english translation.My customer relations person had just popped over to another desk to serve someone else "because they wanted to go and have lunch"
I picked out a few questions here and there until i got to one asking my IBU( mothers) favorite colour! Perhaps they want to send her a nice sarong I thought to myself. To cut a very long story short which spanned over 2.5 hours we finally have a bank account ,ATM card and supposeably in 1 week will receive an email with all our internet banking info. Can hardly wait for that one!
Of I forgot to mention the numerous other people during that 2.5hrs that would come and stand or sit next to me and listen to my convestaion with "Customer Service" so much for the privacy act! Perhaps they wanted to know my hairdresser as well!
Oh after filling out the second form for internet banking I was told there was a 6500rp charge for the form which when I paid it was but into the desk draw under a note book. I tend to think it was a customer service person fee for "personal use".Perhaps it will help pay for the trip to my hairdresser!
Cant remember having any similar experince at Suncorp or Westpac recently but hey thats our Bali for you :)