Bank Calamity
February 25, 2010 by admncc
Here at The Constant Complainer, in addition to my own posts, readers can submit Guest Posts on topics they’d like to complain about. I’d like to welcome Steve back with a new Guest Post. He’s been away for six months, but is back with a complaint about the banking industry. It’s a fascinating look at the don’t-care attitude many banks have today. And I’m sure it’s a story that many people will be able to relate to. Enjoy and without further adieu, here’s Steve…
The bank I was using for one of our business accounts finally ticked me off enough to take action and close that account. I really didn’t want to because this branch is close to our home and is open until 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, which is convenient for me. My wife had recently opened a business account at another bank and her bank treats her like a queen. They bend over backwards to help and assist her, and they have a special Merchant window for business accounts that helps speed up things like deposits and transfers. They also have special networking events for small business customers every month and my wife has made some great connections at those events. My bank used to be almost that good; at least I thought so, until recently.
I received a fairly large check from a local company, drawn on a different local bank for a large project I recently completed. As usual, I deposited the check into my business account and assumed that my bank would put the normal 5-business-days hold on the check until I could access the funds. My bank put a 2-week hold on the check, why, I don’t know. Did they tell me that they were going to do this, NO, did they send me an email alert, NO. The company who wrote the check and the bank where the check was drawn from have been in business many years and have no financial problems.
After checking my account online to see if the funds were available, I found out they were still holding the funds. I called my bank and couldn’t get an answer from their help desk. I asked my wife to go to the bank and see if she could find out what the problem was. At first, they refused to give her any information because she wasn’t the “primary” signer on the account. She told them that she was in fact a signer on the account and had me call the bank to verify that information. They finally told her that the other bank hadn’t told them that they could release the funds yet. That sounded really suspicious to me and so I called the other bank and they said that wasn’t true – the check was good and there should be no problem with my bank releasing the funds to me.
During my wife’s visit to this bank, I had asked her to make two cash deposits into that business account for some small jobs I had been paid for. The cashier only gave her a deposit slip for one of the deposits and tried to pocket the other one. When my wife got home, she realized that she only had one deposit receipt and called the bank. They told her that they only had a record of the first deposit and would have to have their cashier total their drawer to see if there was any “extra cash” there. They also told her that they would call her right back about this problem. Well, they never called back. So when I got home, I went down to the bank and asked for the manager. After about 5 minutes, she came out of her office and gave me a look like, why are you bothering me? I told her what the problem was and that they didn’t give us a receipt for the second cash deposit. She said, oh yes, that cashier went home and we did find the extra cash. I said, okay, you were supposed to call us and let us know; why didn’t you call? I got no answer, I said, “Can I have a receipt to show that the cash was deposited into my business account?” With a look of, are you really going to make me do this – she quite reluctantly went over to a terminal and printed out a receipt for me. I didn’t receive an apology or explanation for why they didn’t make the second deposit, nada, nothing. It was almost like they were mad that they had been caught doing this. I told her that I used to enjoy banking at that branch but that their customer service skills were severely lacking. I didn’t get a response from the branch manager or the bank teller; they just turned away and went into another part of the bank, totally ignoring me.
So, I decided yesterday to close the account. I called their 800-number and asked if there would be any problem with closing the account and would they have enough cash on hand. I didn’t even want to take a chance on getting a bank check from them with all of the problems I have had with them. They told me, no problem. So I went to the branch to close the account – guess what…they didn’t have enough cash on hand to cash out my account. I told them, I called your help line and they assured me that you had enough cash on hand, and now you say you don’t. She said, the help line doesn’t know anything about the local branches. I was really fuming now, I said, “Is there another branch in the area that does have enough cash on hand to close my account?” With a totally disgusted look, she said, I’ll have to call to find out. I said, “Would you do that?” So she gets on the phone and calls another branch about five miles away and asks them. Yes – they have enough on hand to close the account. While she was still on the phone with the other branch, I told her – tell them I am on the way and to have the cash ready. With that, I walked out of the bank and went to the other branch, got my cash and closed the account. I have to admit that the young lady at the other branch was very nice and closed my account with no problem – but didn’t ask why I was closing it.
At these two branches, no one ever asked me: Why are you closing your account? Is there anything we can do for you? Would you like to speak to a customer representative or manager?
You would think that banks today would want to keep any business they had, I guess not. I will be opening a new business account at my wife’s bank today – and you can be sure that they will welcome my business.
Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I’ve given up on expecting great customer service from banks. When you consider the number of bank failures we’ve had (and the unknown number to come as the economy continues its collapse), we need to accept that they simply don’t trust each other. Now that it is legal in Ohio to carry a loaded concealed firearm, I limit most of my patronage to businesses that recognize my right to self defense..that includes where I do my banking. It is very rare that I will walk into a bank that does not allow me to carry my firearm in. When the final economic downward spiral begins, bank robberies will become more and more regular. We’ll be less concerned about the check cashing policies of the bank, and more concerned about our right to defend ourselves.
If I do it without being worried about getting robbed, I’d keep my money under my matress. Ha! Find a credit union that allows business accounts and go that route. Better all-around service.
Sorry. Meant to say if I could do it without being robbed…
I have to say that my bank has been great to us over the years and the good customer service continues even during the economic downturn. (A shout out to PNC)
I don’t think it seems unreasonable for a bank to request that you don’t carry a firearm inside, Don. But, then again, I’m not in the habit of carrying one anyplace.
So bizarre! I left a comment here yesterday and it’s not here…bloggy glitch? I was all ready to read NeoConDon’s attack on me!
There’s nothing wrong with your opinion Jen…;=) All I know is if someone goes into my bank shooting while I’m there, I’ll be able to defend myself. I simply chose banks that allow me to exercise my right to protect myself…If that’s not important to you, that’s okay. Just because you have a right to bear arms, doesn’t mean you have to…
NCD
Carrying a gun into a bank? And you wonder why many people from around the world think some of you americans are nuts?
Titfortat, I am actually troubled by any bank that would allow one to “carry” inside.
There are several bank chains in Ohio that allow concealed carry. They are the safe banks to do business with. Most have the stupid “no guns allowed” sticker on the door. Those are the unsafe banks to do business with….I don’t do business with them. They are robbed pretty often.
Just exercising my second amendment constitutional right to protect myself Titfortat. We have that luxury here in the states…
Most have the stupid “no guns allowed” sticker on the door.(NCD)
Stupid is as stupid does, many gun owners or family members get shot.
I’m not understanding what you’re saying titfortat…??? Can you expand on that?
Oops, I meant by their own gun.
Now I follow you. I’m not sure what the hand gun stats in Canada are, so you may be right with Canadian stats, but in the States, that’s not really the case…even though that’s what the communists in the media like to report.
One of the challenges I have with your “right” to bear arms is that it has nothing to do with culture today. It was implemented because your nation didnt have a ready made army and needed to have its citizens armed. It is an outdated and dangerous mentality. Just one look at the stats and gun crime in your nation pretty much shows that.
The right to bear arms is as necessary today as it was during the time of the founding; it exists for personal protection against foreign and domestic attack, and prevents the planting and expansion of tyranny. I’d be interested to hear why you think it’s outdated and dangerous, and what stats you’re referring to that support your belief. I can assure you that my home and my family are far more safe with my guns than they were/are without them…especially when you consider the upcoming economic and political collapse that is going to happen in Europe and North America.
NCD
Im sure your family is safe. I Hope you dont become a stat. Just remember to store lots of Ammo. Cause you know if the economy fails you wont be able to buy any. Unless of course, you are really talented and make your own.
Thank. I just bought the equipment to pack my own ammo…it’s already very difficult to get, and nearly 50 cents per round…so I have about 600 rounds for each weapon stored…
You and your guns, Don. LOL.
Why does that not surprise me. 🙂
…and a huge Cleveland gun show this weekend in Garfield Heights. I’m picking up a shot gun, and another handgun to conceal carry. The one I have is a little too heavy, and only holds 5 rounds. I may try to sell it or trade my .38 Special. My boys are wanting to start shooting, so I may pick up a .22 revolver to start teaching them since they are easy to shoot and good for learning. I figure I need to get them excited about their right to bear arms before the public schools start telling them all the lies that Titfortat was told.
NCD
Im not sure how you can spin the fact that easy access to guns causes more gun deaths. Regardless if you think you are safer because you have your own. Id rather my kids get shot by a stranger, then have them “accidentally” shoot there own family.
I’m not sure what you’re taking about regarding access and shooting their own family…??? Perhaps you could provide some facts or stats…is that common in Canada?
In the states, we have the right to keep and bear arms. The gov’t is not permitted to infringe upon that right. That right exists for a number of reasons, and even benefits US citizens and other North American countries who choose to not exercise that right. Without the right to keep and bear arms, all of North America becomes vulnerable to attack from tyrants. When America exercises the right to keep and bear arms, dictators are held at bay, and North America remains the ONLY multi-nation continent void of tyranny.
Tyranny will be defeated not by shooting guns, but by owning guns…!!!
NCD arguing. Surprising. Back to Steve’s complaint. I’m glad you took your business from that bank. And kids should not be around guns.
Gun statistics are surprisingly hard to find, but what I did come across was that the US was behind only South Africa, Columbia and Thailand in gun related deaths. Impressive company we are keeping.
You’ll shoot your eye out!
Steve, Chase has been a really great bank to work with. Great customer service and nice rewards program as well. I don’t blame you for taking your business elsewhere.
That’s hilarious Timmy…sure…less gun deaths in Mexico, Venezuala, Russia, China, and every other dictatorship than in the US…??? Do you really believe that? Although I’m sure the Russians, Chinese, Cubans, and Hugo Chavez in Venezuala doesn’t report the number of murders committed by the gov’t in those statistics. Just think how much better the stats in the U.S. would be if we finally voted California out of the union….LOL
Here’s an interesting stat…in 2005 there were 789 accidental deaths from firearms in the US. That’s .30 per 100,000 people.
How about this…In 2003, children 14 and under had 56 fatal gun accidents. That same year, 86 children drowned in bathtubs and 285 children drowned in pools. For children 10 and under: Death by pool 1 in 11,000. Death by gun 1 in one million-plus.
Even though the communists in our media here and abroad want to report the U.S. as having a terrible record when it comes to guns and gun safety, the reality is it’s just not so. The 2nd ammendment is the vehicle that has prevented attacks from foreign dictator ships, and likely prevented an attack on Canada and Mexico. It has certainly prevented tyranny from taking hold within our own borders.
The Canadians can ridicule our peaceful republic all you want. I’d prefer you simply said “thank you”…
NCD, you are simply an idiot! One child dying, because of a gun related injury, is one to many…
And I love Canada. I was telling my wife last night how much I wanted to move to Vancouver or Newfoundland, CANADA… I think living with Nationalized Health Insurance will open a lot of eyes and hearts! It will also get rid of a lot of antimosity and feelings of invinceability, by the people of the USA!
I am jealous of the peace loving country to the north…Canada! There seems ot be less crime and fewer zealots, people like NCD, in CANADA! I also want to congratulate Canada on their BIG Hockey win!
I would never do business with a bank that allows it’s patrons to carry guns!
Of course it’s too many, Zig. But we can’t outlaw guns…just like we can’t outlaw bathtubs and swimming pools. One child dying from an automobile related injury is one to many, but we don’t do anything about that…
Maybe instead of wasting our money and time lying to our kids about global warming, we could teach them how to properly handle a gun, or how to swim. I’d actually vote for a school tax levy to pay for that…***…I have NEVER voted for a tax increase in my life.
I hope you move to Canada. It’s always nice to get rid of an overpaid gov’t union “worker”…
Thanks for the zealot comment…I AM a constitutional zealot for sure!
On a side note, I just took my kids out to Walmart and Best Buy to buy a new wireless blu-ray player while carrying my .38 special loaded with hollow point rounds.
I feel like I just hacked into a NCD chat room 🙂 I can honestly say, it has never occurred to me to carry a gun into a bank. Don’t the folks who rob it do so with a … gun?
NCD
You are way too funny.:)
You hit the nail on the head Jen. The criminals are robbing banks with guns. That’s why, if I’m in a bank and a criminal comes in shooting, I can use my gun to defend myself. You see, guns don’t rob banks, people with guns rob banks…Right after I picked up my conceal permit from the county sherrif, I left my old bank and went to my new one that is 2nd amendment friendly.
If you’re wondering if your bank has a policy on this, simply look for the “no guns” sign…if the sign doesn’t exist, chances are there are concealed carry customers like myself doing business with your bank.
I just stopped at my friendly Panera… I bumped into 3 of my shooting buddies eating lunch. Turns out that between the 4 of us, there was enough iron and lead in there to protect us from a group of nutty laid off postal workers…
NCD, is your gun suppose to make up for “shortcomings” you have in other areas? Is it a stand-in for your male genitalia? You talk about you “steel’ like most men talk about their penis! Get a clue and recognize the symptoms of penis envy!
Does anyone else get creeped out when Zig starts talking about penises?
I do get kind of creeped out when you speak of yuour “Steal,” as loviongly as you do! Oh, thats right… Your poliical/religious affiliation doesn’t allow you to talk about Penis… You use your stand in term, GUN! Is that right? Penis penis PENIS! NCD loves penises…errrr GUNS!
OKAY….getting back to the actually topic of the post!!!!! I’m so surprized that the bank didn’t ask why you were closing the account.I would write the headquarters a letter letting them know that if they are wondering why that branch isn’t doing so well it could be because of their customer service. I’m sure they would love to know what’s going on there. A couple years ago when my husband and I were going to purchase our house, we switched banks and I went to close my account with my present bank. The lady was very nice. She asked why I was closing the account and was nice and never gave me a hard time or made me feel not wanted. I actually went and bought the branch doughnuts after I closed my account as a thank you for making it hassle free. I’m still surprized when I see the lack of customer service. You would think that in these times, companys would be treating everyone of there customers like royalty to keep there business. If I don’t have a good experience somewhere, there is always somewhere else I can go.
Why in the world would a big bank care about customer service? They’ll get your money whether you’re a customer or not.
Ugh, here we go with the gun control FUD again. Anyone think a bank robber is deterred by a sticker on the door? Then why does that sticker make you feel safe? Unless there is a metal detector and armed guards frisking you at the door, there is no point in telling good people to leave their arms at home.
Titfortat, I gather that you are Canadian, so I have to wonder why you think you know more about U.S. history than U.S. citizens. It seems to me you have no idea about our Bill of Rights. Here are some quotes from Thomas Jefferson that should help to establish the “intent” of The Second Amendment:
—-
“The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.”
“I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.”
“Laws that forbid the carrying of arms…disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes… Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.” (Jefferson quoting Cesare Beccaria)
“No man has a natural right to commit aggression on the equal rights of another, and this is all from which the laws ought to restrain him.”
“The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it.”
—-
For anyone who doesn’t understand the significance, Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of The Declaration of Independence, one of the most influential of the Founding Fathers, and one of the greatest presidents in our nation’s history.
An “outdated” right, eh? Those who don’t understand history are doomed to repeat it. Then again, some nations never really did get away from The Monachy so I shouldn’t expect that they would understand in this case.
Good points Tristan. Here’s another one of my favorites from Jefferson…
“When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.”
Don’t be too hard on our Canadian friends. They really don’t understand our gov’t because they’ve never experienced it, and they were clearly not taught properly about it. But I admittedly don’t know much about their gov’t excpcept that it’s a socialist nightmare. They have always lived under the premise of the gov’t being there to “help”, and those who represent the people in the gov’t do it by getting the gov’t into their lives to help them. Our gov’t was designed as the opposite…although it’s not practiced that way much anymore.
Tristan and NCD
Are you guys serious? You two may be well versed on your history but Im not to sure about the majority of your population. You may be surprised to find out I know more about your nation than you do mine. Mind you, your attitude does stay pretty close to the caricature.
Wow…that’s the first thing Titfortat has gotten correct…3 things actually…!!!
1. I’m well versed on US History
2. The majority of the US population is NOT well versed in US History
3. Titfortat knows more about my nation than I do their’s. I don’t really care about your nation…except that if another country attacks you guys, we will have to come bail you out with our 2nd amendment supported guns….which makes the likelyhood of you ever being attacked very slim…and If the US is ever refused shipments of oil by middle eastern tyrants, we’ll buy more of yours…
And I certainly won’t speak for Tristan, but YES, I’m serious.
except that if another country attacks you guys, we will have to come bail you out with our 2nd amendment supported guns….which makes the likelyhood of you ever being attacked very slim(NCD)
And herein lies the reason that we will probably be standing longer than you. While your army bankrupts your nation we keep getting richer and still stay safe cause of our big brother lmao. Bang bang. 😉
…Good one…
No one ever said freedom and liberty were “free and easy”…
But it’s a lot easier than living in tyranny.