I just got home from the bank. I feel humiliated. And I want more than ever to get out of the banking system, and wondering if it's possible that credit unions could possibly be the godsend I hear.
I went in to get quarters for laundry and public transportation, and I also wanted to report that Paul's ATM card had gone missing, cancel it and request a new one. Do you have some time to update your information? I was asked. Sure, I can spare 10-15 minutes. Just about the first question he asked was do we rent our home, own our home, live with relatives, or ??? I hesitantly answered that we rent. Then I was asked how much we pay for rent. At that point, I said "why do you need to know?" Oh, just for identifying purposes, and then the guy goes on to vaguely explain something about if I lost my card and wanted to let them know who I was, and they can also figure out mortgage stuff with the info. I just said "how much of this is optional? 'Cuz this is getting pretty personal." He said something about it all being personal, and then quit with the personal questions. I don't know how deep it would have delved, but it sure didn't take 10-15 minutes after that.
It's not bad enough that banks can charge us all kinds of fees, and we're at their mercy because we have to use them to get by in our society. Another thing that I think EVERYONE should know, that I found out soon after bouncing our rent check, is that nowadays when you make a deposit, the money comes straight out of the other person's account in a matter of hours. However, it still doesn't show up in your account for days. So, if I deposit a check that is supposed to cover the rent, and pay the rent on the same day, I will bounce a check because they are using my money for their own purposes. With electronic transfers, they can get the money quickly, but they still don't have to put it in our accounts until days after, like in the old days.
Grr.
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5 comments:
That sucks! We've been incredibly lucky with the bank we chose when we moved here. The people at our local branch are so friendly and they haven't screwed us over a bit...yet.
I forgot to include my last crappy experience at this particular bank. A few months ago Hibi got a statement from her own saving account, in which she deposited $50 about 4 years ago, which now has about $50.08. The statement showed that they'd charged her some $5 fee! I was absolutely incredulous. I have no idea what that was all about, but fortunately they took it right off when I complained.
Elizabeth -- In MA, we belonged to a credit union for 16 years. Then we moved here and opened an account at a Big Bank because it was convenient. It took us less than a year to seek out a credit union again. It's certainly worth going and talking to a few, or talking to locals about their experiences with the local credit unions.
Howdi, found your blog through Jennifer.
We use a credit union and enjoy it. We did, however, belong to a credit union before this one that sucked. There are bad CU out there as well.
Good luck
Hi, bohemianmama,
Thanks for stopping by! I've looked at your blog before (and Katie's too, who also commented on my blog), linked by Jennifer. Seems like your group of friends is really into blogging! No one around here, that I know of, blogs, but maybe they do and I just don't know about it.
Okay, so what should I look for in a credit union? What questions should I ask? I feel the same as I do about looking for a doctor....where in the world do I begin? I have to actually go to the doctor and see her before I can form an opinion about her. Is it true of credit unions, too? Do I just join one and see how it is? Any help on this is greatly appreciated.
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