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This snow is long gone. |
Called the bank (800 number), since I have no bank nearby to walk into. "They" being a computerized program said the wait would be between 59 minutes and one and a half hours. I love that 59 minutes math as if they had some kind of micro efficiency over their services. Maybe they should just hire more staff...but that would cut into the millions in profits and millions in salaries of those at the top! The computer system did say I could just push "any" key and they would "capture" my number and call me back when someone was able to assist me. I pushed the hashtag key and resisted the urge to also push FU.
They did call me back in a little over an hour and "Bill from Montana" was the person who called me back. That little cutesy response was to assure me that I was not talking to someone in Mumbai or Bangkok and that my bank hired good old boys who needed jobs in the USA. "Bill" had a slow gravelly voice and a tired voice as if had just come in from hours of rounding up the steers and had put out his last cigarette. I tried to joke and he patiently ignored that and continued in a droll voice---maybe he was an out of work actor?
He assured me that the new $25 monthly fee was because I had a "core" agreement with the bank that required I maintain a balance of 5K. When I asked if this meant average monthly balance he said "No. A daily 5k balance." I calmly assured him I had another local bank that could waive those types of fees. He responded that he could fix this immediately by putting me under a new agreement requiring a direct monthly deposit of a minimum of 250 dollars and no average balance maintenance. He moved me over to the new agreement, re-deposited the 25 dollar withdrawal and told me he hoped I would have a nice day. He assured me I would receive the new agreement in the mail. (My bank is not Wells Fargo, but this gives you a clue how sneaky all of these big banks are and why you should write your Congressperson to support and not weaken the Dodd-Frank bill.)
I will read the new agreement with a spyglass, I can assure you.
Good for you for staying on top of things. You have to wonder how many people don’t read their statements and let the banks rob them.
ReplyDeleteGood lord. Beacuse you called you got the no fee option. How much money is that bank making from others who don’t call? They would justify it too by saying people just have to phone...Disgusting!
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$25 is a heckuva big fee.
ReplyDeleteSo glad we have a local credit union, and they know me by name. It would be nice if everyone had that option, the "big banks" would learn to do business well or go out of business.
ReplyDeleteGlad to read a resolution is on the way in print
ReplyDeleteamazing how fast they can 'fix' things when you threaten to take your business elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteI would move your money elsewhere at light speed.
ReplyDeleteGosh that all smells.
Get rid of that bank! You need a credit union, as others have also mentioned. I use USAA but it is only available to service members and their families. (My dad was an officer in the Air Force.)
ReplyDeleteGood for you. This is why I stick to credit unions, still we need to keep watch.
ReplyDeleteDid good ole Bill tell you where the fine print is on your banking agreement that gives them the right to change the rules anytime they want? So glad you called and got the fee reversed. Just think about all those people who don't bother to call.
ReplyDeleteLove the snowy photo. It sounds like your banks are just like ours. The richest companies in the country and the biggest crooks. I just transferred 4K from one bank to another and that bank says I have to wait 3 days for it to reach my account BLAH.
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