What’s with me and anything online?
I was looking for a Bluetooth headset since my Jabra BT 125’s ear loop broke and really liked Nokia BH-900. Found some good deals in eBay India, and went ahead with the purchase. Started paying through my HDFC account’s online money transfer and the amount was promptly debited from my account. The site, after a brief stutter, returned to eBay, as is the norm – but the message was, ‘We’re unable to complete your transaction!’
Huh?
The money has been debited. And eBay says transaction incomplete?
So, I went through the drill. Mailed HDFC and eBay. Called up HDFC phonebanking and got to a human after a full 7 minutes of horrendous steps which have nothing to do with my intention, whatever they may be. The lady said, if the transation was rejected then the money would be credited back to my account in 4-5 working days. Serious delay, but fair enough, in some demented way – at least my money is back.
But, later in the day, I get this mail from HDFC – in response to mine.
Thank you for writing to us.
We have received your e-mail dated April 07, 2009 regarding discrepancy in online transaction.
This is in reference to your e-mail regarding the non-receipt of your payment done through Direct Pay to the Merchant / Service provider.
The only role of HDFC Bank is in facilitating the payment. The offering / terms and conditions of the product are laid down by the Merchant. Your account has been debited and the payment has already been made to the Merchant / Service provider.
For any clarifications, we would request you to get in touch with the customer care team of E-Bay, who, on your instructions, will initiate the necessary rectification.
Huh? Again!
In the ‘My eBay’ section, there is no record of any transaction from my side – which I assume, means the money has not reached the vendor/ eBay, as per the failed transaction message that was shown at the end of that doomed transaction. What is appalling is the tone HDFC uses – literally washing its hands off.
Could they have botthered to ask the following?
- Did you get a transaction reference number at the end, from HDFC?
- Did the transaction page pass as per the norm to eBay’s website?
- Did eBay confirm they have received the payment?
Nope. I don’t think they care enough and the result – a humongously unhelpful mail that only gets on my nerves! I checked the FAQs on both the websites – it looks like I’m the first ‘thing’ in the history of mankind to face this problem – so no documented Q or A on this topic.
The problem is simple – I’ve paid from my bank. The money is gone. It has not reached eBay yet. Have you faced a problem like this? What did you do?
More importantly, where did the money go? Twilight zone?