What could be good news for a potential home loan buyer, especially now that depression has set in with interest rates rising?
A new home player, of course.
Well, I for one was thrilled when I heard about GE Money being the new kid on the block.
Without wasting a moment, I picked up the phone.
December 2, Thursday
I had the GE Countrywide number in Mumbai so I called them up on 2444 8570 and asked for the home loan department. The operator gave me a toll free number: 96040 06007.
I dialed the number and a woman on the other side greeted me in a most unusual way: "Hello, can you verify your number?"
I was shocked but I did give the lady on the line my number. She was silent and so I explained that I was calling from my extension on office so it may not be the exact board number I am stating. She seemed convinced.
I told her I wanted information on home loans.
"Yes, we will give you the details but you will need to give us some first."
Sure. No problem. I gave them my name, residence number and cell number.
Before I could even utter another word, she began bombarding me with information at breakneck speed. I could not follow her and told her once to slow down and then finally told her I could not follow a word she was saying.
Poor thing. She was obviously very miffed because I never heard a 'sorry' or 'just a moment.' All I heard was a momentary silence and now had a young man on the other side.
He turned out to be a polite guy who began by thanking me for the details I provided and asked me how he could help.
When I explained that I needed information on the home loans, he said that they are available for Rs 75,000 upwards.
I was confused. Did that mean the upper limit or was that the lowest limit?
It was the upper limit.
"Actually sir," I began to explain, "I phoned about the home loan."
Oh well, I was told that it would be another department.
"Could I have a number?"
No. I was not to have one but was told that they would contact me. And then, asked for my details again.
"I already gave them." Now it was my turn to get irked.
And, did he not thank me for them earlier?
The weekend
Well, I had no choice but the wait for their call.
None came.
Not on Friday. Not on Saturday. And, I would not have appreciated one on Sunday.
The weekend over, I got on their case on Monday.
December 6, Monday
This time, I called the customer service department of GE Countrywide on 2446 6393 and asked them for the home loan department. The helpful lady there gave me another number: 98203 97329.
The person who picked up the call spoke in Hindi and promptly asked me who gave me the number (as if there was a national conspiracy going on).
Well, the call ended rather abruptly when he told me to call in the afternoon.
Now, totally put off in this wild goose chase, I called the first number I was given. That's right. Back to 96040 06007.
This time, I got a smart lady who spoke slowly and politely and profusely apologised on the company's behalf for not returning the call. She assured me they would call in about six hours. This was soon after 11 a.m.
Evening. No news. At 5.45 pm, I called them again and introduced myself (they should know me by now!).
"Are you a GE Countrywide employee?"
"NO."
"Then how did you get this number?"
By now I was definitely suspicious. 'I called them and they gave it to me' was the most simple explanation and the truth.
That's when I asked her to please give me an explanation as to why I have not been called and shunted around.
The answer was interesting: "The loans are not available to the public as of yet. The phone lines will be made known when the advertisements get released on the 8th of the month (December)."
Well, that settled it. So much for my excitement of the Johnny-come-lately home loan player.
So, dear reader, please bear with me. I promise to pass on the information the moment I get it.
Who knows, maybe it would more than compensate the effort.
Larissa Fernand edits the Money section on rediff Get Ahead
