Bank of America

[haltz]

My smallish bank in Chicago got bought by Bank of America, and it's been hell on earth. Especially the branch nearest me. The first time I was in there I was waiting to speak to someone and the security guard asked me what I was doing looking around. The dude thought I was casing the joint, but I was just trying to be patient.

I still have (or had) my old debit card, which was apparently a HUGE pain in the ass in St. Louis since I opened the account in Illinois and not with BoA. They assured me this would only last a couple of weeks, so I took their word for it. Problem solved today when I left it at the gas station and no one there had found it when I went back:

You: I'll get it on 1/12? Surely that's not how fast you replace missing cards. Is there something on my account where everything takes an extra six days or something?*
Bank dude: You are able to get a Card in instant by visiting to any of our Banking Center.
You: How does that work? I just walk in and ask for it?
Bank dude: Yes, and I also request you to carry a Identify proof such as Driver's license.
Bank dude: To locate a convenient banking center near you, please visit our Web site at.
You: I didn't know they could print credit cards at a local branch.
You: And you've still deactivated my old one, correct?
Bank dude: The old Card is activated, I have replaced the same Card.
Bank dude: If you wish I am able to block the card.
You: Uh, yeah. It's missing so I don't want whoever finds it to be able to use it.
Bank dude: Okay, allow me a moment while I block the Card.

Hey, glad I asked!

*So I also have an account at Chase which doesn't exist here. I wrote myself a check for this retarded checking account because it was getting low a couple of weeks ago and it took NINE DAYS to clear. In the meantime I was assessed overdraft fees for some credit report thing I don't remember ever ordering - which charged me twice in 3 days. The merchant refunded one, and I got half my $70 back (the guy did it instantly today, however the woman last Wednesday said to give it 24 hours..) which is just imaginary numbers to BoA but a nice bar tab to me. I told him that I thought taking that long to deposit a check was bank error, and he disagreed.

Bank dude: I know that would have made you happy and your happiness is what is of utmost importance to us. It's just that at times we get helpless. The only thing I can do is hope you understand am not doing this to upset you.
You: Come on, you copied and pasted that and it doesn't address anything I asked you.

Anyway, I'm thinking about going to Commerce tomorrow. I'm sure this is all my fault technically somehow but I'm not that old and I remember when you could talk to people about stuff and they didn't hide behind "Sorry, I don't have authorization." Who does? "We can only refund a fee if it's a bank error." Can you repeatedly hit me in the face with a Louisville Slugger?

[docellis]

Over the last month I have become very tempted to try to live without a checking account. The only real reason I need one is for my mortgage and car payment. Every other utility I can pay at Schucks or Sprint stores. I forgot about something that was scheduled to come out of my account and the amount of money I was charged for forgetting about it was completely obscene.

[dangerous]

They wouldn't get it if you said, "I just bailed your employer out and that's the best you can do?..."

[GatewaySnayke]

I've never had to deal with banks really. And as long as my mom continues to work at one, I won't have to.

It appears to be worse than dealing with the DMV.

[jdk82]

I must be the only one who doesnt have banking problems. My bank also has overdraft protection which is free.

[docellis]

...................

[Arthur Dent]

Try a credit union. I've always had checking accounts with these, and I don't think I've ever paid a fee.

[Simbagal23]

Our bank was bought out by BoA 4 years ago.....we had absolutely no problems. It took a while for them to get their systems in sync but, once that was accomplished, smooth sailing. I will blame your banking problems on Blago.....

[cardinalkarp]

Never have any problems w/ Bank of America what so ever.

[TheoSqua]

I've heard BoA has obscene check holding times