email to Bank of the West -
I am 57 and have never been charged for temporary checks so it did not occur to me to ask today how much temporary checks would cost me.
The teller dealing with me, who is my "assigned" "contact person" at the branch for the last two years, did not mention that there would be a cost when we were discussing my situation and how to best handle it. (Ran out of checks last week and am moving out of state 30 Sep 2011.)
When she handed me 4 temporary checks and I turned to leave the bank foyer she asked, "Should I take the $6.00 for the checks from your account?" I had my grandson (27 months) with me and had told him we were leaving so I simply said yes and left.
I have one more reason now to close my account as soon as I move and can find a new bank - although there are 3-4 branches near my future home, two of them less than 2 miles from the house (in opposite directions).
My first deal breaking experience was when my son turned 18 last December and wanted his own account, we have an account together opened the week he turned 16. I have been with Harborstone Credit Union (Tacoma WA) for 20 years. All six of my children went from savings accounts to checking accounts as adults with HCU. When a child chose to be on their own my name was simply removed from the account. When I separated from my husband a year prior to our divorce, my name was removed from the joint account and I opened one in my name but my husband (later ex) kept the original account undisturbed.
When my son opened his own account with Bank of the West he wanted his name taken off my account and I agreed that would be a good idea. I was informed that I would have to close the account and open a new one to have my son's name removed. At the time my plans were to return to WA by mid summer so I said fine, I will close it when I move.
I will ask in the future what the cost is of any service from your bank. I will not suppose that your employees will allow me the courtesy of an informed decision by supplying pertinent information before I choose a course of action. I will also choose to go the office in Nampa instead of the one in Meridian, on Overland between Locust Grove and Eagle, if I need anything in September.
I am very grateful I kept the pension and the child support going to Harborstone and did NOT transfer either when encouraged to at the time I opened my account with Bank of the West.
Sincerely, Karen middle initial last name
I know they won't care , if they even read both emails (had to send it in two parts, there is a 2000 character limit which you are NOT informed of until you try to send something longer, really NO info until you hit send), but I feel much better having in print my account of the event. I would never hand someone personalized merchandise and THEN tell them the cost. I have been in sales and customer service for the last 9 years and would never deceive someone in this manner - or any other for that matter. I felt betrayed and mis used, if not abused :-o
On a happier note, today was 10 degrees lower than yesterday which was 10 degrees lower than Sunday - Heaven ! ! !
