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2007-12-13 10:33 AM

Master
1741
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Boston
Subject: I DETEST Bank of America

This is the final straw...not going to go into details, but B of A would not refund a $35 overdraft fee that was not my fault. I called their customer service # and even spoke to the manager, and he would not budge. EVEN after I told them about my loyalty to B of A despite it being a major inconvenience to continue banking with them:

1. I moved to Harrisburg, PA (from Florida) where there are NO Bank of America's anywhere near me, so I have to drive 35 miles one way to get to a branch.

2. I WORK for PNC Bank- their freaking competitor!!! I could just as easily do my banking HERE at my workplace, but I continue to be loyal to B of A.

So, even after all that, Siam (that was his name) decided that he was going to not refund the $35 fee, and instead lose 2 customers, my husband and I. Little did this @$$hole know that in a few years, Barry and I are going to need a mortgage, car loan, and investment options when he is making big bucks as surgeon It's unfortunate no one values loyalty or customer service anymore. It's also unfortunate he doesn't know that I work in public relations and I have hundreds of contacts of reporters, bloggers and the like. I could easily gather hundreds of stories of upset customers and splash it all over the internet.

So, anyone else care to share stories of your hatred for B of A?

And, furthermore, since I'll be closing my accounts this week, anyone have a bank they are VERY happy with??

Rant over (for now)



2007-12-13 10:35 AM
in reply to: #1099785

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Master
2249
200010010025
Colorado
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America
I hear ya.  I also hate Key Bank and Wells Fargo.  I'm a Wamu type of girl....
2007-12-13 10:40 AM
in reply to: #1099785

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COURT JESTER
12230
50005000200010010025
ROCKFORD, IL
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America

No hatred toward BofA.  Banked with them for 2 years while living in Phoenix.  With our current bank we had 6 checks overdraft our account because they were mistakenly written from the wrong checkbook.  We got them to credit us 4 of the overdraft changes back to us, at $33 per charge.

 

When I see investment info on the white board at our bank that tells about setting up IRA with a money market account, I put ZERO faith in investment advice from my bank.

2007-12-13 10:41 AM
in reply to: #1099785

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Champion
5615
5000500100
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America

Sorry to hear about the issue Lisa.

Maybe he felt that they needed $35 to offset the write-downs that they have to take as a part of extending mortgages to unqualified buyers. 

For customer service, you can't really beat your local credit union.  I've always found CUs to be much more service-oriented.

However, if you do a lot of internet banking (like I do), BofA's user interface is the best on the market.  I've tried M&T and Wachovia's interfaces and went back to BofA because the others were too cumbersome or not intuitive enough.

2007-12-13 10:44 AM
in reply to: #1099785

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Elite
2553
20005002525
Tucson, AZ
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America

We almost missed the closing on our home due to BofA. We needed to get pre-approved for the loan fast, so we filled out the online form. Well, that cuts out the chance to use the local branch. The loan officer was supposed to send all of our forms to the closing person but didn't...and that entire office went out of town to a conference. Talk about dropping the ball! We didn't know until our Title office called and said they didn't have the paperwork. Our realtor got on the phone and finally figured out what happened and got the paperwork to the closing guy for the following day. We were down to the wire and couldn't miss our closing. We had already sold and closed on our previous home and moved, so we were literally homeless. My realtor and I left these long messages on the closing guy's phone explaining all of this, and thankfully the next day he processed everything right away and got the loan papers to the Title office. I don't ever want to move again for a long, long time.

On the other hand, when we applied for a home equity line of credit at our local BofA branch, the agent was very nice and helpful. We explained to her what happened with our closing (which is why we will only go to the local branch) and she apologized on behalf of BofA, which was nice of her since she had nothing to do with any of it.

2007-12-13 10:45 AM
in reply to: #1099785

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Master
1811
1000500100100100
Nashville, TN
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America
I on the other hand like B of A.
I once used bill pay online and typed in the wrong amount of money 1500 instead of 150. Luckly there was not enough money in my account for the check to go through but after the issue was done they refunded me the money that they charged for overdraft which I was very pleased with.
I have also lost my atm card and they are quick to cancel it and send me out a new one very quickly.

I find that they best way to deal with banks in general is in person and to try to continue to deal with the same person. They are typically friendlier that way.

Sorry to hear all your troubles with them.

Chris


2007-12-13 10:46 AM
in reply to: #1099785

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Champion
5575
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Butler
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America
Sorry to hear that.  I have 2 accounts one with Wells Fargo that I have had for going on 10 years and 1 at Citibank (who I work for).  I recently had three $35 fees show up on my WF account that was totally my fault but they still took them off because it was my first time and I explained what happened.  I am really suprised BofA did not take the $35 off but honestly they probably don't care about 1 single customer (they probably are not looking in the future about what you need either).  It sucks but true.  I used to do customer service for a paging company and would try and help customers out but in the grand sceam of things one customer did not mean that much to us.  Now the fact you said it was not your fault I don't understand why they would not help you I would of.  My problem was when it was the customers fault and they got mad at me for charging them some $20 fee for being late.  I would simply tell them sorry but we charged 2000 people that $20 and if we credit all of it we are out $500K a year.
2007-12-13 10:51 AM
in reply to: #1099785

Master
1741
100050010010025
Boston
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America
I think that I might have better luck waiting until I go down to Florida for Xmas....where I can go to a local branch and tell them I want to close the account. I'm sure they will ask why, and I will explain, and maybe they can refund the fee....however I have such a bad taste in my mouth from my conversation earlier today with them, that I don't know if that will do any good. I still would like to switch banks (and get my $35 back to boot!!)
2007-12-13 10:52 AM
in reply to: #1099785

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Champion
4942
2000200050010010010010025
Richmond, VA
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America

Sorry to hear that. It is amazing how companies spend MILLIONS to recruit new customers, but have no qualms about screwing over existing customers. My favorite is when THEY mess up and then tell me that they with take off the fee "as a courtesy." One time w/ Banco Popular (car loan) the guy was telling me that and even though it was a moot point, I argued with him until he admitted that his removal of the fee wasn't a "favor to me." (moral victory)

One bank to SERIOUSLY avoid is Banco Popular. I have a handful of payments on a car loan with this idiots and am considering taking my bonus and just paying off the loan b/c these guys are total f!-up. I've spent more time arguing with them about THEIR failure to process my payments and on 3 occasions LOSING my payments even though I was able to provide physical proof they had and cashed the checks.

On the other hand, I've been very happy with HSBC. Aside from calling the customer service hotline and getting a clueless person in Bangalore, they've bent over backwards to resolve problems I've had.

--

the other industry I don't understand are phone companies - they'll bne



Edited by condorman 2007-12-13 10:53 AM
2007-12-13 10:59 AM
in reply to: #1099785

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Veteran
218
100100
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America

Sorry to hear that.  Key Bank sucks as well.

When my wife and I were moving into our home, we had a certified check from Key about 4 days prior to the move.  On the morning of move, I went to rent the Uhaul truck, only to have my debit card denied.  Come to find out, Key had indavertantly put a freeze on our account FOR NO REASON.  And when I called them on it, they couldn't figure out why it happened or how to release the freeze.  They could only put a temporary deposit into my account so I could get to an ATM and take enough money out to pay for the trunk and any other expenses for 3 DAYS (the time the freeze would expire).

 Only one of MANY issues we've had with the bank, can't wait to switch.

2007-12-13 11:00 AM
in reply to: #1099785

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Expert
864
5001001001002525
Village of Lakewood, Illinois
Silver member
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America
Why don't you bank where you work?  Wouldn't that be more convenient than all others?

Edited by AddysDaddy 2007-12-13 11:03 AM


2007-12-13 11:02 AM
in reply to: #1099812

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Champion
5117
5000100
Brandon, MS
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America
CubeFarmGopher - 2007-12-13 10:41 AM

Sorry to hear about the issue Lisa.

Maybe he felt that they needed $35 to offset the write-downs that they have to take as a part of extending mortgages to unqualified buyers. 

For customer service, you can't really beat your local credit union.  I've always found CUs to be much more service-oriented.

However, if you do a lot of internet banking (like I do), BofA's user interface is the best on the market.  I've tried M&T and Wachovia's interfaces and went back to BofA because the others were too cumbersome or not intuitive enough.



Along the lines of what I was thinking. Given the struggles of the big banks lately, I wouldn't expect them to refund anything, especially three weeks from year end.

My advice: Find a local bank. Their customer service department is not located in India. In fact, the person you talk to on the phone will probably be someone you see when you go in, so they tend to be a little nicer. Most of the local banks have online banking now, too, which is convenient. These banks aren't getting killed by the mortgage crisis either, since they usually only have origination departments and they sell them to mortgage companies.

Shop around with your money. Afterall, they are paying you to loan it out.

Oh, and don't be to hard on Siam. He's probably only doing what the memo he got at the first of the month said.
2007-12-13 11:13 AM
in reply to: #1099785

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Champion
6962
500010005001001001001002525
Atlanta, Ga
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America

Couple of things.  If you have any kind of Military background or ANYONE in  your family does, go with USAA.  They can't be beaten in my opinion.

We have a BOA account from when I was in college.  We use their online banking.  What I can't fathom are the people that actually go INTO the bank.  I stepped into the bank for the first time in over 2 yrs this weekend.  And that was because the ATM wouldn't take a Canadian check.  I don't use the drive thru either. 

BUT what I do HATE about BOA is that they are always trying to sell you something.  I have a mortgage...it's at a better rate...STOP ASKING!!

2007-12-13 11:13 AM
in reply to: #1099785

Master
1741
100050010010025
Boston
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America
Believe it or not, I've actually calmed down quite a bit from this morning. I will probably end up banking where I work...it just sucks that I've been with B of A for so long, and I really don't want the hassle of switching. Thanks for all your suggestions, and horror stories from other banks. They make me feel better (in a sick way)
2007-12-13 11:15 AM
in reply to: #1099847

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Champion
5575
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Butler
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America
condorman - 2007-12-13 10:52 AM

Sorry to hear that. It is amazing how companies spend MILLIONS to recruit new customers, but have no qualms about screwing over existing customers.

the other industry I don't understand are phone companies - they'll bne

This does not only happen with customers it happens with their employees.  If you as for a $5K raise they say no and you quit.  They end up hiring someone for $10K more than you were making and had to probably pay a recruiter.  Makes not sense.  Companies are stupid, I should know I work a super huge bank and we do stupid things all the time and I end up getting no bonus even though I can't control my bonus.
2007-12-13 11:15 AM
in reply to: #1099785

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Veteran
325
10010010025
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America
How was it not your fault? If you wrote a bad check, then you wrote a bad check. I need more info before I can join in you hatred of BoA.


2007-12-13 11:16 AM
in reply to: #1099893

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Master
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Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America
Marvarnett - 2007-12-13 12:13 PM

Couple of things. If you have any kind of Military background or ANYONE in your family does, go with USAA. They can't be beaten in my opinion.

We have a BOA account from when I was in college. We use their online banking. What I can't fathom are the people that actually go INTO the bank. I stepped into the bank for the first time in over 2 yrs this weekend. And that was because the ATM wouldn't take a Canadian check. I don't use the drive thru either.

BUT what I do HATE about BOA is that they are always trying to sell you something. I have a mortgage...it's at a better rate...STOP ASKING!!



x2 on USAA. free checking/savings, free checks, free overdraft protection, free web bill pay, refunds on other banks' ATM fees, and you can deposit checks at home with a scanner. my only regret is not switching to them years ago.
2007-12-13 11:19 AM
in reply to: #1099897

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Expert
864
5001001001002525
Village of Lakewood, Illinois
Silver member
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America

GatorGirl22 - 2007-12-13 11:13 AM Believe it or not, I've actually calmed down quite a bit from this morning. I will probably end up banking where I work...it just sucks that I've been with B of A for so long, and I really don't want the hassle of switching. Thanks for all your suggestions, and horror stories from other banks. They make me feel better (in a sick way)

I hear ya,  I told my wife the other day that if we had to switch banks it would take forever to unwind.

We have all our fixed bills on autopay. I haven't written a check in years.  All of the mortgage and cars.

2007-12-13 11:22 AM
in reply to: #1099785

Master
1741
100050010010025
Boston
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America

Basically the situation was, I transferred money from my ING bank account (online bank account) to my B of A checking acct., since the checking was getting low. Usually ING takes about 2-3 days to transfer the money to another account. Well, this time it took longer than usual....and I wound up overdrafting like $40. BUT- the point was that I called B of A (several days ago) to let them know the situation and the person I talked to assured me I would not get the overdraft charges because the 1 item that was overdrafted was "pending" and not "posted" - and since the funds from ING got there in time before the item became "posted", I wouldn't get charged.

So because this idiot didn't make a note in my account about this, there is no proof that he promised no fees....just one person's word against another.

I realize $35 is not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but it's more about the point that customer service has gone to the crapper...

2007-12-13 11:26 AM
in reply to: #1099928

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Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America
GatorGirl22 - 2007-12-13 12:22 PM

Basically the situation was, I transferred money from my ING bank account (online bank account) to my B of A checking acct., since the checking was getting low. Usually ING takes about 2-3 days to transfer the money to another account. Well, this time it took longer than usual....and I wound up overdrafting like $40. BUT- the point was that I called B of A (several days ago) to let them know the situation and the person I talked to assured me I would not get the overdraft charges because the 1 item that was overdrafted was "pending" and not "posted" - and since the funds from ING got there in time before the item became "posted", I wouldn't get charged.

So because this idiot didn't make a note in my account about this, there is no proof that he promised no fees....just one person's word against another.

I realize $35 is not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but it's more about the point that customer service has gone to the crapper...



Good explanation. Now I hate BoA too.

Seriously though, I'm on your side. It sounds like you were proactive in the matter and did the right things. Good luck finding a new bank. I second the hometown credit union idea.
2007-12-13 11:28 AM
in reply to: #1099785

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Elite
3519
20001000500
San Jose, CA
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America
I was almost thrown out of B of A.  I made a scene when they wouldn't cash a BofA check written to me, because I didn't have an account there.  They wanted to verify with my employer who had written the check and couldn't get ahold of him.  But they would cash it if I opened up an account.  Um...NOOOO!  Security was called over. 


2007-12-13 11:32 AM
in reply to: #1099812

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Pro
5153
50001002525
Helena, MT
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America
CubeFarmGopher - 2007-12-13 8:41 AM

For customer service, you can't really beat your local credit union. I've always found CUs to be much more service-oriented.

Bingo. I love my community CU. We have all our accounts and our mortgage with them and they are spectacular. Whenever we have an issue, someone there just drops everything and takes care of it.

I had a similar problem to yours at a big bank (1st National on the Colorado Front Range). I just really don't think they care much. They just want your $35 bucks and for you to leave them the hell alone.

2007-12-13 11:35 AM
in reply to: #1099785

Master
1741
100050010010025
Boston
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America

All this stress has just caused me to eat 2 peanut butter/chocolate balls. I am such a stress eater, it's not even funny. And I was doing so good on my diet.

2007-12-13 12:36 PM
in reply to: #1099928

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Champion
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Butler
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America
GatorGirl22 - 2007-12-13 11:22 AM

Basically the situation was, I transferred money from my ING bank account (online bank account) to my B of A checking acct., since the checking was getting low. Usually ING takes about 2-3 days to transfer the money to another account. Well, this time it took longer than usual....and I wound up overdrafting like $40. BUT- the point was that I called B of A (several days ago) to let them know the situation and the person I talked to assured me I would not get the overdraft charges because the 1 item that was overdrafted was "pending" and not "posted" - and since the funds from ING got there in time before the item became "posted", I wouldn't get charged.

So because this idiot didn't make a note in my account about this, there is no proof that he promised no fees....just one person's word against another.

I realize $35 is not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but it's more about the point that customer service has gone to the crapper...

Thanks for the explanation and I am not sure what side I am on.  They should not have told you that you would be okay.  That happened in my situation and I had a pending payment coming though before I deposited the money and they said they could not guarantee anything.  Guaranteeing anything by a business is stupid and that is their mistake.  However, it was not their mistake the account was overdrawn and that is why I am on the fence.  I would still think they would wave the fee especially if it is the first time this has happened.
2007-12-13 1:54 PM
in reply to: #1099946

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Master
2249
200010010025
Colorado
Subject: RE: I DETEST Bank of America

runningwoof - 2007-12-13 10:28 AM I was almost thrown out of B of A.  I made a scene when they wouldn't cash a BofA check written to me, because I didn't have an account there.  They wanted to verify with my employer who had written the check and couldn't get ahold of him.  But they would cash it if I opened up an account.  Um...NOOOO!  Security was called over. 

hahahaha.. I don't know why this seems so funny to me, but I'm totally giggling.  Some people are SO STUPID!  I bet the security officer was on your side.

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