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I called BanColombia today to see why they haven't returned my 18 grand.

I called BanColombi today to see why they haven't returned my 18 grand if they refuse to deposite the funds into my account.

According to my lawyer and a friend I sent to my branch in Cali the monies were to be sent back automatically in 15 days and not only did I not have to do anything but there was nothing that I could do about it.

Well according to the guy I talked to at BanColombia today that is only if the money was wired from a service like Money Gram or Western Union...if it was wired from your personal bank account in the states to your account in BanColombia they hold the money for SIXTY DAYS unless you request tha the wire be returned throught the bank that sent it.

I did that today and my bank told me that BanColombia has ten days to respond.

I also sent an email to the Defensor del Cliente and he sent an email back asking me some questions so I answered them and I hadn't heard from the guy in a couple of days so I called the number to try and reach him by phone.

Turns out that the particular guy that has my case can't be reached by phone only by email.
When I asked what is taking so long they informed me that it would take at least a week for him to study my situation and get back with me.

By calipro on Nov 14, 2008, 09:13 in Friendly Talkzone.

Paisa/Calena/Luver says on Nov 14, 2008, 09:22:

Im so frustrated for you just reading this... What B.S. and I would be anxious, nervous and furious at everybody.. At least we forum like this to help each other and avoid following in your foot steps. Good Luck..

"PAY ATTENTION! I wonder if that person knows that when we push the FUNNY button, its because we are reading something outrageous, trying to be cynical, derogatory, sarcastic and/or obnoxious!"

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PBHjon says on Nov 14, 2008, 09:28:

seems like a lot of fuss over $9 usd

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pavo says on Nov 14, 2008, 09:42:

This sort of stuff really sucks. And the worst part is that it can go on for years with no resolution. I wish you luck.

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scumbuster says on Nov 14, 2008, 09:53:

I heard a good suggestion to beat the bank hassles and take more out at a time than using a machine. Go to a casino and take out in chips. Have a drink and play optional, then cash out. Good rate plus no transfer charge. Might need to do it a couple times for $18,000 but looking at the problems its still easier.

Tomas Jefferson “When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”

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calipro says on Nov 14, 2008, 10:03:

pavo

If they take much more time on returning my money or depostiing in my account they'll be seeing me in court.

Gringoloid got his money returned in 59 days and attributed it to the help he got from the "defensor del cliente".

Could be that Colmenia has the same sixy day rule as BanColombia and they were going to return it either way.

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spigrimace says on Nov 14, 2008, 10:20:

They probably invested it in a pyramid scheme!

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yummyj says on Nov 14, 2008, 10:28:

...seeing me in court...

calipro is from the USA, I see.

Take a Colombian bank to court? Go for it...I'd love to see the end reult of that.

Just because you have been to Colombia, that does NOT mean that you are anywhere near an expert on the place. Sorry. Truth hurts.

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badboy says on Nov 14, 2008, 10:35:

it's ok to get insulted, spat upon, etc. but never mess with a person's money. doesn't matter how much....it's infuriating to have this happen.

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calipro says on Nov 14, 2008, 10:50:

Well yummy dummy

I wouldn't be the first to take BanColombia to court and I'm sure I won't be the last.

I know a lawyer in Cali that has two clients (colombians) sueing BanColombia right now. I don't know how successful they'll be but someone has to call their bluff once in a while.

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larryrn says on Nov 14, 2008, 14:16:

Dude, I bought a car taking cash out in pesos daily at Citibank and making daily payments to the dealer. This worked great and the conversion rate was above trading rates by 12 percent. Larry

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durito2 says on Nov 14, 2008, 15:06:

how easy was opening a citibank colombia account?

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pavo says on Nov 14, 2008, 16:00:

And you wonder why people stick their money in Pyramides instead.

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calipro says on Nov 14, 2008, 16:56:

gringoloid

I would be interested in kniow if you called your bank to have the wire returned before you contacted the defensor del cliente.

huskie

I have wired money to my BanColombia bank account a number of times before but nothing over ten grand at a time. Each time I would wire the money shortly before leaving the States so I could claim it at the bank myself when it arrived.

Well a couple of months ago I sent down $4500 and when I went to BanColombia to have them post it to my account I asked the teller if there was anyway I could avoid having to come in personally before you guys deposite the money in my account and he said sure and gave me a form to sign.

The next month I wired down $5,000 and the money went straight into my account no questions asked.

Then I sent down the $18,000 which they are refusing to deposite into my account for any number of made up reasons ranging from the sum is to large to I haven't been in the country continously for six months, to you will have to bring in all kinds of paperwork and if you do bring in the paperwork you'll have to prove what you are going to use the money for.

If BanColombia hasn't returned my money by the time I arrive, I'm just going to go to the bank stand line and ask the teller to deposit the wire into my account like I have done a dozen or so times before and just see what happens.

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elk says on Nov 17, 2008, 06:58:

The rules are always changing.

I know a Gringo who recently sold his apartment for 200,000,000 COP using form #5.

I told him he would have a problem returning the funds to the U.S. since had failed to use form #5 and #11. He simply opened an account with Citibank here in Medellin and wired the total amount back to the U.S. without problems.

Everyone will have a different experience...Welcome to Colombia.

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elk says on Nov 17, 2008, 07:01:

Sorry...It should read form #4 and #11.

The funds for the original purchase came from the U.S. He had purchased the apartment using form
#5.

I suspect he may have problems when he returns to Medellin to visit friends. I'm not sure how DIAN tracks sales and funds wired back to the U.S.

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cali373 says on Nov 17, 2008, 08:06:

Citibank is a good option to have when conducting financial transactions between Colombia and the U.S. because there is no middleman involved. Citibank is the sole agent for international transactions between north america and Colombia. Deutchse bank is the agent for Europe. Colombian banks like bancolombia have to use Citibank to process the wire transfer. There are also over-regulated rules for transfering money and we can thank the US government and the drug trade for that.

Just want to point out this is one of the issues along with other red tape that hinders economic progress in Colombia. SOMETHING URIBE HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT. Those that think a trade agreement with the US is an advancement have little knowledge about what is takes to develop an economy.

Smile if you are a thinker!

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