I have several accounts with Washington Mutual, and have for several years - in fact, they are the fifth or sixth bank in a line to have purchased a bank that previously had my account.
They are trying very hard to get me to leave, though.
Were there an obvious choice, somewhere I could expect great customer service, I would already be gone.
Recently, I found out they charge for electronic transfers. Every transfer, every time. Even if I am transferring money in. Nice - charge me for giving you money, thus guaranteeing I won't be transferring money in ever again.
Today I found out they don't take third-party checks. At all. D got paid for some jobs and, thinking I could save him a trip, was going to deposit them in my bank and get him the cash. I easily have the amount covered - literally zero risk for WAMU. In fact, the other checks I was depositing would have covered it. No go. No wiggle room.
Of course, I have already signed them so now it will a pain in the @$$ for D to cash them. I called Wells Fargo and was told they don't have a policy against it. I have an account there, too, so I start heading to the local WF. On the way, I pass another WAMU and decide to give them another try.
I get the same answer, but the clerk asks a manager for me. She explains that if the checks bounce, I am on the hook for them - duh. If the checks were made out to me and they bounced, I would be on the hook for them, that is how it works. However, in this digital age, finding out if the checks are good can be almost instantaneous.
She says she will make an exception one time (since D is there to give his ID, too) and starts the process. My faith is starting to get restored....
Then she says the account has been flagged by the guy at the other branch. He put a notice to not take the third party checks from me because he already told me it was against WAMU policy. Niiiice. My perception of them is right back in the toilet. She goes ahead and takes the checks anyway, but it is really too little too late.
As we drove further down the street, D pointed out a brand new Wells Fargo branch - wish I had just gone there first.
Posted by Vox at May 16, 2008 05:22 PM | peevesAlas, as with competition among airlines, Wells Fargo has a customer service reputation of its own, and it is not a positive one.
Posted by: Dan at May 16, 2008 11:59 PM