My experience in Oman !!!

A simple answer to your post is "Change the Bank account"

I know ... I am already working on that !!!

Sadly, all banks are the same. Without exceptions. Even the ‘biggest’ and ‘the best’, like Bank Muscat and the National Bank of Oman.

None of them have the slightest clue about what actual 'customer service' is. I have had so many appalling experiences with these local banks. If you dial the call centre of the bank, be thankful if someone responds. And when you post your query, they will ask you to go to the branch, or will put you on hold indefinitely. You visit the branch, they will ask you to call the call centre !

Next would be medical services. Sucks. Big time. Try not to fall ill. In Oman, prevention is definitely better than the cure !!

@ Sumitran

Glad to know tht its not just me who feels the same. n thank you for the info on the med part too...

Now when the discussion has started, I would like to add a n ote here.... Donot ever consider "Badr A Samaa" hospial for any treatment. Trust me... that hospital is a way to the graveyard. Not only I, numerous people had undergone into a worst medical experience with this hospital. So please, either don't deal with them or incase if its in your company panel, be very wise and careful while dealing with both the doctors as well as the administration.

Three month ago when I wanted to open a Bank Account I was in the same Dilemma trying to choose the best bank for its customer service, I have asked so many people around, and I have read so many reviews on the local forums. The conclusion was almost as the same as what you all have just mentioned above.

Since I was rushing to open a bank account to get a cheque book so that I can rent a flat, the most important for me was a bank to process my account quickly and to issue me the requested cheque book at the earliest. A friend of mine has recommended Dhofar Bank and when I have approached them, the guys were quite welcoming and helpful and I got my cheque book after 4 days from opening my bank account which took almost two days to open; on the contrary to other banks which take them 10-14 days just to get your account open.

So...it is true afterall...not everythin is as white as it looks !!! Beware of the grey area

Visakh wrote:

Beware of the grey area

That's what I call it a Wise Decision

Visakh

I share your frustrations with HSBC.  Ironically, before they were what they are now, they were Oman International Bank (OIB) and I found them to be excellent, even the branch in the small town I call home.  A transfer to my native country would take no more than six hours and it would be in my account.

Alas, the dreaded day arrived on 30 November 2012 when OIB merged with HSBC and from there on it was downhill all the way, despite having the same staff.  A transfer made on 01 December took 21 days to reach my home country and then the amount was wrong - someone in the bank decided that they will change the form I completed in my own handwriting, from xxx.xx OMR to xxx.xx USD!  This was done without ever informing me.  To rectify their error I had to do another transfer, which I was charged for.  I ended up paying for their mistakes.

My relationship with the bank, which previously was fantastic, has deteriorated to the point where I will not even go inside the bank anymore.  I withdraw most of my funds after payday at the ATM, take some cash to Western Union and send it home from there.  The bank once contacted me to complain about the fact that I lately withdraw all my money and leave very little as a balance, and I told them to get lost.  It is my money and since I could not trust them managing it on my behalf, I will now decide how I deal with it.

This is my only complaint in a country that has so far proven to be stunning in every way.

I want to work in Oman but m bit confused wether my choice is right or not,so plzzz advice me wt to do.
M an electrical engg nd did training in automation field.

"I want to work in Oman but m bit confused wether my choice is right or not,so plzzz advice me wt to do.
M an electrical engg nd did training in automation field."

Oman is still a land of oppurtunities and electrical engineering being one of the basic requirements in the utilities here, i feel ur making the right choice..Just b optimistic..

thnx.......

but can u guide me abt a thing, is experience of gulf countries countable in India ??? coz I heard dat experience of gulf countries is of no use in our country. So m bit hesitate about makin d decision.

plz guide me ........

The decision is upto you.. If you are planning to b here on a short term stay, then:

1. Either u need to be paid a high salary (>=2500 OMR)so that u can save n head back to india.
2. You just want a feel of working in Gulf

Regarding your experience, if u are good at what you do, I don't think you should have a problem getting a job anywhere esp back in India.

thnx a lottt.......