Online Trading - Phone is mightier than Web!

"Can you invest in L&T Emerging Business Fund? It is a NFO and the last date is tomorrow" asked me.

I thought it should be a zippy thing to login to my trading portal and click a couple of buttons and it should happen. And I had not bothered to acknowledge the existence of telephone trading. I found that I was wrong; we are not yet done away with the mighty telephone. Read on ...

I login to my trading account portal. After a little navigation I find that there is no option for an NFO under the L&T AMC. I do the next best thing .. start a chat. The chat is slow but finally I conclude that the only way this order can be placed is through telephone. I ask for a number and he chat "append your local area code and dial 3*5*3*6*". Is there a 1800 number I chat back? "No sir this is the only number".

I dial 3*5*3*6*, choose "1" for English option, the first thing it asks me type in a TPIN which I do not have (thought I would only use the Web!). Luckily I trace back on the IVR and get to an agent.

Agent, "Do you have a TPIN. No? I will help you generate one. Tell me your DoB".
Me,"19xx"

I am now in a three cornered conference. Me the agent and the Computer (IVR).

The IVR asks, "Enter your DoB"
The agent enters this for me! (saves my time!)
IVR,"Choose a 4 digit TPIN"
Agent,"I will go offline you can choose a TPIN"
Me,"DTMF, DTMF, DTMF, DTMF"
Agent, "You will have to type in again" (not sure if the agent was listening to my DTMF!)
Me, "DTMF, DTMF, DTMF, DTMF"
Agent, "Now you can tele transact"
Me, "Thanks".

Now the IVR puts me in touch with another agent. Who helps me carry out the transaction. As I wonder how they can confirm that I had actually asked for this transaction ..

Agent,"Please confirm. You requested for blah blah ... Do you confirm"
Me, "I confirm the transaction"
Agent, "Thank you. You transaction number is *****"

End.

This could have been done much better on the Web. Unfortunately, this particular NFO was not listed on the portal of this trading company!

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