sketches of the mind

ok after comparing several funds I decided on going with NRMA (reseller of MBF). Bit more pricey than the rest but some additional benefits that might come in handy one day.

a couple useful sites that I came across…

- Health Insurance Australia; and
- iSelect. Free service to help select a fund. Those in Victoria can get a free membership card that offers discounts at various retail outlets, cinemas, restaurants, etc. which is cool.
- medicare levy
- federal government 30% rebate

Click.

So this is what Sony has been working on behind the scenes…

Link 01
Link 02
Link 03 - see other Sony projects here also.

I was with HCF a few years ago but after I left a previous employer the membership lapsed.

Incident No 1.

About three months ago I called the customer service desk and said I wanted to reinstate the account. They said that they’d send the paperwork. I clearly indicated that the address they had on file was incorrect (had changed) and the lady noted down the new address.

So guess what, they posted the stuff to the old address and I was left waiting two weeks before I discovered where they sent the paperwork. That was only because my relos live at the old address.

Incident No 2.

I tried reinstating the account recently (yes I know you can’t renew after such a long time) by submitting an online application form. Didn’t hear anything for two weeks so I emailed them and asked what was going on.

I received a reply a day or two later advising that I can’t renew and I would have to submit a new application.

Right. So I’m thinking…

1. Why didn’t they email/call me soon after receiving the application to tell me this?
2. Considering that all I did was submit a ‘new application’ online and include my previous member number, they already have all my details and should have been able to simply confirm whether I wanted to go ahead with a new application.

Conclusion… Two of the worst customer service experiences I’ve had so far, and both from the one organisation. That’s more than enough for me to say “get stuffed”. I’ve been d!cked around so they can bugger off.

So now I’m considering alternative funds. I don’t want fancy extras and hospital cover (yet).

Medicare is not enough. Well I don’t think so anyway. However, the cost of private health insurance (approx. $60 / month) isn’t exactly cheap.

Taken at the Art Gallery of NSW yesterday. People looking out at the bay. That’s a naval ship in the background.

Interesting how people inside an art gallery became art themselves.

Some lady behind me made a little “Umm-Maa” comment because I was using a camera inside the Art Gallery. Didn’t see any security scrambling to confiscate the camera off me so whatever.