My trip to the bank...

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I needed to make some deposits at my bank today and only had one deposit ticket left in my checkbook. I thought I'd save everyone some time and just make some copies of the deposit ticket and fill those out for the deposits (I deposit checks singly to aid in my record keeping). I have these all filled out and go to the bank only to be told they won't accept them.

Their reasoning was their machines wouldn't read the numbers at the bottom because the originals have the account numbers in magnetic ink. I'm accept the logic here EXCEPT that when I fill out a counter deposit ticket I hand write the account number (hence no magnetic MICA numbers). I thought maybe there was something about messing up the machine with my non-magnetic MICA numbers so I then ask if I can take a counter deposit ticket, fill out my name and account number and then copy it so all I'll have to do is fill in the amount. Again, I'm told "No," but with no reason given except, "Those have to be filled in by hand."

You can imagine my dismay at this. I'm trying to work within the system while also trying to avoid needless duplication of effort by not having to write my name, account number and the date twelve times when once will do. I was told doing this in any way other than theirs might delay the crediting of my deposits by a day (as if that is some kind of threat). Since that was a trade I was willing to make, I said "Fine, I don't need it in the account today or tomorrow, anyhow." They still refused. It seemed more important to them that I follow their protocol than anything else.

Has anyone else encountered such idiocy?

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), February 20, 2002

Answers

Good one Gary! You can't fight the system. I recently bought a pair of jeans, I had a coupon for 50% off any pair of jeans at this store. When I got home and tried them on the style was just uncomfortable so I took them back. They gave me the money but when I aske dif I could just pick another pair for the 50% off they wouldn't let me. My logic was that the coupon was still good because I had no jeans!!! I also did not have the coupon. That didn't work, so I told them fine, but I wouldn't be back, and I won't. It didn't make much sense to me. The coupon hadn't expired or anything. Can't understand losing a customer over this. This store was where I purchased most of my clothes which is why I was sent the coupon to begin with.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 20, 2002.

Genius has limits, idiocy does not.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), February 20, 2002.

Gary

I'm so glad you didn't have the experience that I did.

Christmas of 2000 in Baltimore, I took a check my sister had written to me, along with 2 forms of ID including my state drivers lic. to her bank branch, hoping to cash it.

This was the 2nd time I was to be asked for my fingerprint in such a matter. I politely refused, and I asked to speak to the manager, and then to see a copy of the policy governing .

They weren't happy about my resistance and threatened to call the police.

I took it to my bank and deposited it.

-- Rick in Southwest WV (Rick_122@hotmail.com), February 20, 2002.


Melissa, did you ask to speak to the manager? They will often cut through the tape. Often, clerks are afraid they might offend some Unknown Law and won't permit what a manager will not have a problem with.

Gary, this might also work at the bank.

Hah, you haven't seen burocracia until you've been to Brazil!

-- Randal at home in Brazil (randal@onebox.com), February 20, 2002.


Rick, you posted just before me. I would have invited them to call the police and made a complaint that the clerks were harassing you and refusing to permit you to see the bank policy. A lot of this stuff is knowing when and how far to bluff.

-- Randal at home in Brazil (randal@onebox.com), February 20, 2002.


You might want to remind them that the withdraw slip doesnt need a mag strip and thats the next piece of paper your going to use. Ask for the manager

-- Gary (gws@columbus.rr.com), February 20, 2002.

Normally my tack is to go to the manager but this particular branch is managed by a guy who is simply trying to stay under the radar until he retires. He asks his underlings what to do.

Tomorrow I'm going to get a customer relations person on the phone and talk with them. Absent satisfaction there, I'll go bank shopping.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), February 20, 2002.


Hi, Gary. This won't help as far as the idiotic nature of their policy, or their rudeness, but just a practical solution to the problem. I, too, always use more deposit slips than checks, and asked my bank what to do. They sent me extra books of deposit slips, free. Of course, they got a little carried away, and sent enough to fill a shoe box! This was back in 1989, and I still have about half of them, but I prefer to use them, because they are a nice, black, bold print. The ones that come in the new checks now are a very pale blue print, that is very hard to see--supposed to be more "secure". I have gone through a couple of books on a rainy day and whited out all the 19____, but that's just a little hassle, I'm sure I could just cross it out and write 2002. Or perhaps you could find a smaller chain bank? Our bank only has offices in this county-in fact, their name is Kitsap County bank. Of course, we opened our account the year we were married, 1970, so that could make a difference compared to being a "new" customer. But I once was buying a Guernsey heifer, and the seller wouldn't take a check without checking with the bank first, to make sure funds were available. They were politely told, that they didn't need to look up our account, and that "If Kathie has written you a check, I know it is good." Even now, when we use the drive-up, if we get a "new" teller, and they ask for ID (to make a deposit, I never have figured that one out) someone who knows us always rushes over to apologize and tell the new person that we don't need to show ID before we ever get a chance to reach for our wallets. I know the huge banks are considered progress, but sometimes the smaller ones are best. Kathie

-- Kathie in Western Washington (twinrosefarm@centurytel.net), February 20, 2002.

I was at the hardware store the other day. This store is known for always having some type of "collection" going for either homeless people, medical research, etc. I bought 2 items and the total was $19.42. I dumped out my entire wallet on the counter and I had exactly $19.42. WHen the clerk handed me my receipt, she asked if I'd like to donate my spare change. Duh.

-- Charleen in WNY (harperhill@eznet.net), February 21, 2002.

Gary, I recently had a little different experience at the bank, I paid off a signature loan 17 months early and was charged a $75 "early payment penalty"

-- Rog (rw285@isoc.net), February 24, 2002.


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