Oh hey Caixa is that you? Didn't see you there - in fact didn't hear a word you were saying.Oh - wait - what's that? You didn't say anything....that's right because customer service is apparanetly nonexistent and you are the leaders in banking when it comes to terrible customer service? Why would I say such thing? I mean your own citizens say so - that's exactly where I heard it from - well that and also based off of my experience. No hard feelings though - just counting the days until we part - forever.
Do I sound fed up? Do I roll my eyes every time I see a bright blue and yellow Caixa sign (and remember they are king here so that's quite a few eye-rolls) My roommate pointed it out to me the other day as we walked by that I glared at the Caixa building- Yes, yes I sure did.
I have mixed feelings when it comes to this behemoth of a bank.They were the first ones to give me a chance even when I didn't have my "legal" status in Spain but they were also the first one's to royally screw me over. Caixa charges for everything - I mean everything including your debit card.
---Point in case - to bank free with them you enroll in their online star program called Estrella or something like that - I was enrolled. However what I didn't realize was that I had a limit of $50 euros on my "card" and that my "card" was a visa credit card. WHAT?
----Apparently instead of a debit card you are given a "credit" card that starts off with a $50 euro limit. If explained well - you will understand that you can increase that limit online through your account and that you can automatically pay off. Of course emphasis on if that is explained well or if someone from the customer office replies to your 5 plus emails - but I digress.
-----If for whatever reason you want a debit card - you have multiple "types" to choose from all with an annual fee of $28 euros or more. Heed to the wise: There is a fee for everything at Caixa. I think I was warned that everything that comes from a Caixa office will cost and that the credit card and slip of paper I received on my first day signing up was the only thing I would get for free - but to be honest everything was so fast paced and lost in translation that I'm not too clear on that.
----The icing on the cake is just the overall lack of information, the literal "I could care less attitude" that I have encountered, the overly male populated Caixa banks, and honestly like I tried to point out to the guy who was signing me up - Caixa is only limited to Spain and they have really high conversion fees- anywhere else in the world and Caixa is a non-important factor - case in point: why be so haughty?
In conclusion, why do I write this post? To advise you not to bank with Caixa - there are so many other banks in Spain that will provide you with better service and a free debit card. I mean pardon me for repeating myself but: Who charges an annual fee for a debit card to a persons account?
Banks to consider:
ING - Online I think they are free AND they are located outside of Spain
BBVA - Online they are free
Bankia - But you must have your resident card first
Santandeer - But you must have your resident card first
Do I sound fed up? Do I roll my eyes every time I see a bright blue and yellow Caixa sign (and remember they are king here so that's quite a few eye-rolls) My roommate pointed it out to me the other day as we walked by that I glared at the Caixa building- Yes, yes I sure did.
I have mixed feelings when it comes to this behemoth of a bank.They were the first ones to give me a chance even when I didn't have my "legal" status in Spain but they were also the first one's to royally screw me over. Caixa charges for everything - I mean everything including your debit card.
---Point in case - to bank free with them you enroll in their online star program called Estrella or something like that - I was enrolled. However what I didn't realize was that I had a limit of $50 euros on my "card" and that my "card" was a visa credit card. WHAT?
----Apparently instead of a debit card you are given a "credit" card that starts off with a $50 euro limit. If explained well - you will understand that you can increase that limit online through your account and that you can automatically pay off. Of course emphasis on if that is explained well or if someone from the customer office replies to your 5 plus emails - but I digress.
-----If for whatever reason you want a debit card - you have multiple "types" to choose from all with an annual fee of $28 euros or more. Heed to the wise: There is a fee for everything at Caixa. I think I was warned that everything that comes from a Caixa office will cost and that the credit card and slip of paper I received on my first day signing up was the only thing I would get for free - but to be honest everything was so fast paced and lost in translation that I'm not too clear on that.
----The icing on the cake is just the overall lack of information, the literal "I could care less attitude" that I have encountered, the overly male populated Caixa banks, and honestly like I tried to point out to the guy who was signing me up - Caixa is only limited to Spain and they have really high conversion fees- anywhere else in the world and Caixa is a non-important factor - case in point: why be so haughty?
In conclusion, why do I write this post? To advise you not to bank with Caixa - there are so many other banks in Spain that will provide you with better service and a free debit card. I mean pardon me for repeating myself but: Who charges an annual fee for a debit card to a persons account?
Banks to consider:
ING - Online I think they are free AND they are located outside of Spain
BBVA - Online they are free
Bankia - But you must have your resident card first
Santandeer - But you must have your resident card first