real paradox of Munich trip September 7, 2007
Posted by Ken in complaints, life, opinion, photo blog, travel log.Tags: adventure, Experience, Fun, Germany, Munich, Reviews, Story, Travel, travel log, View
14 comments
With my heart in my mouth; we boarded train to Nuremburg. It was late by twenty minutes. We got on bus to Opladen from office on time at 16:08 hrs. I saw my manager missing his bus back home. 
From Opladen we had to board a train to Cologne at 16:46. I am sure you are impatient while I am giving the account of each minute of this journey.
Believe me; I had jitters, goosebumps and all such feeling since I got on train to Cologne from Opladen. On Thursday I called up YMCA in Munich and I could book a twin room for €32.00 per night per person for two nights.
Once I knew I had place to spend night, I started looking for a cheap way to reach Munich. There was return flight for €200. But it was from Cologne airport and I had no clue on how to be there. Second option I thought was Thalys; but it does not travel between Cologne and Munich. Now the only option was to use ICE (InterCity Express); which will cost €178. It was okay; as this was the only option or we do not travel. It was expensive as next weekend we could have flew for €150.
The train to Cologne got delayed by long 45 minutes due to police inquiry in Cologne. We were to reach there by 05:05 pm, find a counter to buy a ticket to and from Munich. We reached at 15:45 hrs. We ran to counter to check if we can still board the train. Looking at long queue, we decided we will go to platform and see how the train looks like. And head back home with fool’s mug. Two minutes close to 17:53 hrs we were talking to station master about the status as there was no train on platform. At the back of my mind I was toying with idea; I have reservation; but I have not yet paid for ticket. Is it possible to pay on train?
Station master told me train is twenty minutes late. Immediate question was where to buy a ticket. He said on the train. Was there moment happier in near future? I doubled checked everything. A local guy helped me to have detailed conversation with station master. Now you must have understood why I was holding my breath.
Scapegoat of Indian Media – Orkut June 20, 2007
Posted by Ken in after thoughts on articles, complaints, opinion.Tags: News, opinion, Review, View
32 comments
Lately Orkut is being consistently finding space in world of lurid Indian news and media. Idle political leaders and party workers, heads of religious groups, and news papers/ channels have made Orkut scapegoat to gain TRPs, attention and highlight in media. People, not having great idea about Orkut, always think of it as devilry Internet phenomenon and spoiling the Indian youth. The kind of news stories floating in media will definitely raise eye brows of traditional Indian parent. Stories of girls facing abuse, people blackmailed, hate communities against India, political leaders and parties, and religion make people think that it is definitely some evil of modern day technology.
Customer service of world’s number one bank – crisp version June 8, 2007
Posted by Ken in complaints, opinion, uncategorized.Tags: Critisim, Customer Service, Experience, linkedin, News, Review, View
8 comments
I wanted statement of my account for last six months for applications of visa. Citibank gave me a shock, where I have my salary account; I will have to pay Rs 25 and even than it will be delivered in seven working days.
Are our nationalised banks fools to give us passbook for free and update them as and when wanted? Citibank charges Rs 100 for any activity in branch. To reduce cost it makes sense, discourage customers to come to the branch; and make them use online banking. Catch – the statement is issued online only at the end of quarter. I wanted statement in June (Dec – May), hence wait for July to come for April and May or get statement till March online and pay Rs 25 wait for four business days.
Customer service of world’s number one bank June 6, 2007
Posted by Ken in complaints, opinion.Tags: Critisim, Customer Service, Experience, News, Review, View
12 comments
This is going to be my longest post, and I am not sure if anybody would care to read. But in the moment of despair and my struggle with world’s number one bank I had to throw up some where. What better place then my own blog. One customer’s complain is not going to change the rule and neither one post. 
It is very normal that people who travel west; crib and complain in great length about things in India after coming back. We do not have good roads, we do not have clean cities, and we do not have access to basic infrastructure.
I usually have one complain and I crib about it to everybody around me. Customer Service. This is definitely not a problem of our country, but of our people and their attitude towards customer service (and after sales service).
We have never taken customer service as seriously as we should have. People, who pay thousands of rupees for electronic appliances, never get after sales service, maintenance and repair during the warranty and guarantee period. The people who try to get service they deserve often end up with nothing but despair and feeling of being cheated.
