Creation Finance - Annoyances/Rant

kolin_2

Has anyone else had the misfortune of dealing with Creation Finance/Sygma Bank?

Mine specifically dealt with their online section. To go back in time slightly, I missed a payment with them by a few days, (because, in my mind, their online system is confusing, in not telling you whether you've actually made a payment) this was back in september.

I was quite fine with them taking a late payment fee, what I was more concerned about was the possible ramifications on my credit report and loss of the 0% INT on balance transfers (I am currently switching to clear a credit card balance). I provided them with excellent feedback on how they could improve their system to help others avoid missing payments. (i'm amazed that CC providers don't provide some form of reminder service that would kick in 4 or 5 days before the due date)

They gave me my late payment fee back (which i wasn't bothered about, because i'd made a late payment), but refused to re-instate the 0%, can't complain about that really.

Anyway in december, I applied for and was accepted for a 13mth 0% Natwest card, at the same time I got a letter through from Creation Finance saying they were re-instating the 0% back on my card and backdating it, giving me back the 3 months of interest i'd had to pay.

Now when I transferred the balance to Natwest, I didn't transfer it all, because of Creation Finance's updated, and still confusing, online system. I left some in so I could pay that balance and close it.

When I came to ask Creation how much the final balance was to close the account, they told me that they would use the refund I was due (from getting the interest back) and I would be left with £90ish credit, and how would I like this returning to me.



on the 7th of january I told them that I would like the refund by bacs.
on the 8th of january I had a reply from Creation Finance saying that my account had been closed and the requested balance will be paid into my account Via Bacs within 3 to 5 working days
on the 15th of january I contacted them as the refund had not yet appeared.
on the 16th of january I had a reply from Creation Finance saying I had been misinformed and that refunds take 7-10 working days from the date requested, you will receive the refund by 22nd Jan at the latest.
on the 23rd of january I contacted them telling them I wasn't happy that I still had not had the refund, and to pass it on to the complaints department.
on the 26th of january I had a reply from Creation Finance saying that "the request for a refund on your account can take up to 7-10 to be picked up by the relevant department and to be processed", "when the cheque is sent is can take up to 7-10 workings to arrive" and "i can see that this refund was sent to you on 16/01/2013 via cheque to the address we have got for you on our systems"
I immediately replied back to them complaining at the ridiculousness of their customer service and lack of attention to detail and that this was now an Official complaint.
on the 29th of january i have had a reply back from Creation Finance acknowledging my complaint (finally)

Creation finance seem to either have fake customer service people, or their signatures are simply not who is at the other end.

I would wholeheartedly not recommend this company, especially if you value some level of customer service, no matter how low.

for those intrigued as to why I have done all this over email, firstly, I only have a small mobile phone contract (due to clearing debts), and I refuse to ring 087/4 numbers,
secondly, I like a paper trail of my conversations as my memory isn't the best.

when i run online shops and someone requests a refund, it's done that day. we are now 22 days since I requested my refund. CC companies are quick to take your money and punish financially in any way for a small mistake, but drag drag drag their heels for something that can be done immediately. this isn't fair.

i realise this is a major rant, but i've had to get it out.